Smoke Alarm installation and the NSW Legislation

Published November 9, 2017 | By Nicole Powell

Request to have your smoke alarms replaced or installed from your Batemans Bay smoke alarm specialist

South Coast Electrical Solutions can service, maintain and replace the smoke alarms in your property. It’s more than changing a battery and testing the alarm. You need to know that it will work in a fire.

South Coast Electrical Solutions have licensed electricians to install hard-wired. We only use photoelectric Australian Standard products and comply with all NSW legislation when installing.

What will the electrician check on the smoke alarm service?

Ensure the correct quantity and quality of the smoke alarms are installed
Check that they are correctly positioned
Replace and install top quality photoelectric Australian Standard smoke alarms and batteries
Reposition alarms if required

Ensure ventilation holes are clear of dust and insects
Check the expiry date of each alarm
Do a full function test of each alarm, which includes artificial smoke test
Issue a certificate of compliance for your property

How to choose a smoke alarm?

We only recommend photoelectric smoke alarms. Ionisation smoke alarms are not recommended by us as they are not as effective at detecting fires that are slow smouldering. Slow smouldering fires that are undetected are generally the leading cause of deaths due to fires in homes. Photoelectric sensors detect the types of fires that smoulder for hours before the flames.

Smoke alarm maintenance for your property in Batemans Bay

At South Coast Electrical Solutions we specialise in smoke alarm maintenance. We know it is the best way to protect homes and lives. Leave the maintenance of your smoke alarms to a licensed electrician. Certain checks are completed when you have a professional look after the compliance of your smoke alarms. Our licensed electricians can install hard-wired smoke alarms.

How long does a smoke alarm last?

Hard wired smoke alarms are only designed to last for ten years. If you alarm is over 10 years old your alarm needs to be replaced. Call and make an appointment today to have your smoke alarms checked, maintained and replaced.

Smoke alarm testing for your property in Batemans Bay

Having a working smoke alarm in your home is very important. Take the time to test alarms to make sure they are working properly. A properly functioning smoke detector increases your chance of survival if a fire is in your property.

Smoke alarm compliance certificate NSW

South Coast Electrical Solutions are licensed electricians. If your property is in Batemans Bay call us today for an appointment to service and check your smoke alarms and issue you with a compliance certificate. Compliance certificates are required when selling your home, or if your property is rented your Real Estate Agent may request this.

Hard wired smoke alarm VS battery operated smoke alarm

South Coast Electrical Solutions recommends wherever possible, hard-wired and interconnected smoke alarms to be installed. Hard-wired smoke alarms receive a consistent 240-volt power supply. They have a battery installed so that if there is a power outage, they will still work. We have licensed electricians to install hard-wired smoke alarms. We only use photoelectric Australian Standard products and comply with all NSW legislation when installing.

Battery powered smoke alarms operate only on the power they receive from the battery. As not all batteries are the same (some batteries are of lower quality than others therefor will not last as long). If you choose battery operated smoke alarms in your property, make sure you choose good quality 9 volt batteries. 10 year lithium batteries are recommended as they last as long as the smoke alarm. If you choose Lead or alkaline batteries they will need to be replace yearly.

Smoke alarm beeping or chirping

What is causing my smoke alarm to beep or chirp? There is a few reasons that your smoke alarm might be beeping or chirping

The smoke alarm will chirp at regular interval, about once every minute when the battery is getting low and needs to be replace. The best battery to choose is a 9 volt lithium battery, they are long-lasting and engineered to deliver the power you need for the smoke alarm.
Another reason the smoke alarm may chirp is if the battery is loose or improperly installed.
The smoke alarm cover may be dirty. If dust and insects are in the sensing chamber it can cause the alarm to chirp. It is good practice to clean your smoke alarms when you change the battery. See cleaning the smoke alarm tips for cleaning information.
Reset the alarm. Check your manufactures instructions.
If it is still chirping or beeping, request a service from your local electrician

The best hard wired smoke alarms

South Coast Electrical Solutions only recommend photoelectric smoke alarms. Ionisation smoke alarms are not recommended by us as they are not as effective at detecting fires that are slow smouldering. Slow smouldering fires that are undetected are generally the leading cause of deaths due to fires in homes. Photoelectric sensors detect the types of fires that smoulder for hours before the flames.

Hard wired smoke alarms going off for no reason?

Here is a few reasons that your smoke alarm is sounding when no smoke is present.

If you alarm is over 10 years old your alarm needs to be replaced. Smoke alarms only have a life of 10 years. The date can be found on the back of the alarm
Your alarm may need to be cleaned, see our cleaning tips.
Your alarm may need to be reset. Check your manufactures instructions or call for a service from South Coast Electrical Solutions.

Smoke alarm cleaning tips

If your smoke alarm is hard-wired (connected to 240 volts) we do not recommend that you take it down, always have a licensed electrician service your alarm. If your alarm is a 9 volt battery alarm, remove the alarm from the wall or ceiling and hold the unit on its side. There is a gap between the front cover and the back plate. Use your vacuum cleaner with a crevice tool and suck all around the gap area. Make sure you clean the sensor thoroughly. Check the expiry date of the unit while you have it down. Reset the alarm and test the unit.

NSW smoke alarm legislation for homeowners.

NSW legislation stipulates that smoke alarms must be installed on every level of your home.

This includes owner occupied homes, rental properties, relocatable homes, caravans and camper-vans or any other residential building where people sleep. To read more about where smoke alarms must be installed, information in tenanted properties, smoke alarm information from the Department of Fair Trading or you can click on this link to our smoke alarm service page.

Our electricians in Batemans Bay service the following areas:

Batehaven
Batemans Bay
Broulee
Catalina
Denhams Beach

Guerilla Bay
Lilli Pilli
Long Beach
Maloneys Beach
Malua Bay
Mogo

Mossy Point
Nelligen
Rosedale
Sunshine Bay
Surf Beach
Surfside