Brooks, Australia’s leading fire protection specialists, present a simple three-step process to find the right smoke alarm for your home and keep your loved ones protected
Buying a smoke alarm that will serve as a comprehensive fire protection solution for your home is not often as simple a task as you might think. However, the fire protection specialists at Brooks have put together a handy guide that outlines the three core questions you need to answer to discover the best system for your home.
1. Where do you live?
The state or territory of Australia that you live in will have an impact on your choice of smoke alarm, as the legislation is often different. For example, most residential buildings in both Western Australia and Tasmania require a mains powered smoke alarm. This is also the case for many new properties or those substantially renovated since 1997.
In all states, it is required that:
- At least 1 smoke alarm is required on each level of a home.
- There must be a smoke alarm in any passageway or corridor leading to bedrooms.
- If a corridor or passageway does not lead to a bedroom, but could be an escape path, then a smoke alarms should be fitted in this path.
- In Queensland, all bedrooms should contain photoelectric smoke alarms.
- All smoke alarms in the home should be interconnected.
You can find out more about different state and territory laws by visiting https://www.brooks.com.au/legislation/
2. What type of property do you live in?
The type of property that you live in also affects the type of smoke alarm that you need. Some of these requirements are also a part of state law. For example, newly built homes in New South Wales require a mains-powered smoke alarm. For houses or larger buildings, interconnected smoke alarms that provide an alert simultaneously when one alarm detects fire may also be required.
Many newer laws introduced around smoke alarms provide a clear argument for upgrading older home smoke alarms, even if not required by law. For example, long-life batteries or mains powered smoke alarms will mean not having to remember to change the battery each year, while inter-connectivity provides a fast way to alert everyone in the property and keep them safe.
To see the full range of Brooks home smoke alarms, visit https://www.brooks.com.au/home-smoke-alarms/
How will the smoke alarm be powered?
Whether you choose a mains-powered or battery-powered smoke alarm will depend on state law and your type of property.
Mains powered smoke alarms must be permanently connected (hard-wired) to the mains power supply and require a licensed electrician to install them. All mains powered smoke alarms have a battery back-up in the event of a power outage, which can either be a 9-volt alkaline battery or a rechargeable non-removable lithium battery.
Battery powered smoke alarms may be installed where mains power is not connected to the dwelling or where there is no hidden space in an existing dwelling in which to run the necessary wiring for hard-wired smoke alarms, for example where there is a concrete ceiling.
Find out for yourself which alarm you need with the Brooks 3-step selector
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