The most effective type of smoke alarm is a photoelectric alarm, which detects visible particles of combustion and is therefore highly effective at quickly recognising smoke and smouldering items.
Smoke alarms are an essential safety feature in any household, and smoke alarm legislation QLD sets out a number of requirements which ensure that your smoke alarm is up-to-date, functional and safe.
Some of the major legislated safety requirements for smoke alarms which you should be aware of include:
The most effective type of smoke alarm is a photoelectric alarm, which detects visible particles of combustion and is therefore highly effective at quickly recognising smoke and smouldering items. These alarms are designed to provide an early warning as to a potential fire, and the fact that they contain no radioactive material makes them safe to position anywhere within a dwelling.
Smoke alarm legislation QLD was amended in 2017 to require that “all Queensland dwellings will be required to have interconnected photoelectric smoke alarms in all bedrooms, in hallways that connect bedrooms with the rest of the dwelling and on every level.”
Alarms being interconnected means that if one smoke alarm in the dwelling is activated, all of the other smoke alarms within the same dwelling will activate too. This system ensures that even if there is a fire in a vacant room, you will still be notified by an alarm sounding in an inhabited room. This requirement is particularly important for families looking to make their home as safe for children as possible.
Old or damaged smoke alarms pose a serious risk to inhabitants of a property, as the alarm may be slow to respond (or fail to respond entirely) in the case of a fire and not allow everyone adequate time to evacuate the building safely.
Smoke alarm legislation QLD states that smoke alarms manufactured ten years ago or more must be replaced by a newer model. You can check the age of your smoke alarm by reading the manufacturing date which should be stamped on the alarm.
If you test your smoke alarm and it does not operate, you should contact an electrician to replace the unit immediately.
At Evergreen Electrical, our licensed domestic electricians are experienced in assessing and updating smoke alarm systems to ensure they meet the smoke alarm legislation QLD requirements.
Making sure that your smoke alarm setup functions properly could prove the difference between life and death in a situation involving a fire, so if you are concerned that your alarm system might be outdated or faulty, get in touch with us and let’s confirm that your alarms are functional and safe. We can also help you with any general electrical updates or repairs, or tv & data or solar installations.
Here are some other articles you can read about
