Smoke Alarm And Smoke Detector Test

There can be few more frightening moments than being caught inside a burning house. It�s a situation no-one wants to have to face, but fire brigades fight thousands of fires in buildings every year. Sadly, not everyone gets out safely. To escape a house fire, early warning is vital,  that�s why you need a smoke alarm.

• Smoke alarms are mandatory in all new homes, and also in all existing homes in NSW, Victoria, Queensland and South Australia.
• There are two types of smoke alarms - photoelectric and ionisation. If you're unsure which type you have, look on the base. A radiation symbol means it's an ionisation model.
• Photoelectric smoke alarms are the best for detecting smouldering fires - install at least one of this type.

Fire Facts

• Across Australia between July 1996 and June 2004, 412 people were killed in 366 fatal residential fires. In the cases where it was known whether smoke alarms were installed, 14% had a non-working alarm and 55% had no alarm at all.
• NSW Fire Brigade research indicates that a third to a half of house fire deaths could be avoided by having a working smoke alarm and a practised escape plan.
• Most fatal fires happen at night, when people are usually asleep, and they�re most common in winter.
• The majority of fatal fires are caused by electrical faults, smoking materials such as cigarette ash, or heaters and open fires.
• Smoke alarms help limit the damage and cost caused by fires, by detecting them earlier

For existing homes, the alarms don�t need to be mains-powered, battery-powered models are acceptable, as long as they meet the Australian standard. Check with your local fire brigade, it can give advice about the laws that apply in your state.

                                     

Checking your smoke alarm periodically is of absolute importance to the safety of your family. But testing your smoke alarm involves more than just testing or changing the battery, which is usually what you are testing when you "push" the test button on your smoke alarm. For complete peace of mind, United Electrical Services can perform a safety inspection and test of all the smoke alarms in your premises.

The Smoke Alarm Tests Include -

• Spraying the unit with a special spray ensuring the unit will detect smoke in the event of a fire.
• Replacement of the 9 volt battery and label for next scheduled date.
  
• Cleaning the unit to ensure it is free from debris and inspect damages.
  
• A written condition report to discuss any issues and how to resolve them.

 

Smoke alarms for the hearing Impaired

Special smoke alarms are available for the hearing impaired. These may feature a flashing strobe light and/or a vibrating pad that can be placed under the pillow to activate when the alarm sounds.

Some alarms are designed to interconnect with conventional audible alarms in different locations within the home. If one of the alarms senses smoke, all will sound, the strobe will flash and the vibrating pad will operate.

Other alarms are portable units that can be taken from one residence to another.

There are no Australian Standards for smoke alarms for the blind, deaf and hearing impaired, but there is a Standard for the smoke alarm sensing component only. CFA recommends people purchase alarms that quote this Standard, AS3786.

Further information for the hearing impaired can be found at:

Victorian Deaf Society
www.vicdeaf.com.au

Disability Information Online
www.disability.vic.gov.au