Photoelectric
Photoelectric alarms respond quickly to the smouldering fires common in homes, and are less prone to false alarms from cooking. They’re the type fire services recommend.
Interconnected smoke alarms are linked, so when one detects smoke, every alarm in the house sounds. A fire in the garage or living room wakes the whole family, even with the bedroom doors closed. Newer wireless interconnected alarms link by radio, so they can be added to an existing home without running new cables between every alarm.
Fire services recommend photoelectric alarms, interconnected, in every bedroom, in hallways outside bedrooms and on every level, and replacing alarms every 10 years. Old ionisation alarms, alarms past their date, and homes with a single alarm in the hallway are all worth upgrading.
What’s involved
- A check of your existing alarms and their dates
- A plan for every bedroom, hallway and level
- Hardwired photoelectric alarms installed
- Alarms interconnected, wired or wireless
- Every alarm tested
Hardwired, with battery backup
Hardwired alarms run on mains power with a backup battery, so they don’t rely on you changing batteries. Victorian homes built since 1997 need hardwired alarms.
Interconnected
Linked alarms all sound together. The link can be wired, or wireless between compatible alarms, which makes upgrading an existing home much simpler.
Smoke alarms should be replaced every 10 years. Check the date printed on the back of each alarm.
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What are interconnected smoke alarms?
Smoke alarms linked to each other, by cable or by radio, so that when one detects smoke they all sound. You hear the alarm wherever you are in the house.
Do I need interconnected smoke alarms in Victoria?
New homes with more than one smoke alarm need them interconnected, and fire services recommend them for every home. What applies to an existing home or rental depends on when it was built and the work being done, so ask Joel what applies to yours.
How often should smoke alarms be replaced?
Every 10 years. The manufacture or expiry date is printed on the alarm. An alarm past its date can fail to detect smoke even if the test button still beeps.
What are the smoke alarm rules for rental properties in Victoria?
Under Victoria’s rental minimum standards, rental providers must arrange an electrical safety check by a licensed electrician at least every two years, and a smoke alarm check at least every 12 months. Consumer Affairs Victoria has the full details.
Where should smoke alarms go?
Fire services recommend one in every bedroom, in hallways outside bedrooms, in living areas and on every level of the home. Joel can plan locations that suit your layout.
Can you replace old battery smoke alarms with hardwired ones?
Yes. Joel can replace old battery or ionisation alarms with hardwired photoelectric alarms, and interconnect them so they all sound together.
Smoke alarms in key areas
LENNELEC covers the Mornington Peninsula and south-east Melbourne. See the full service area or call Joel to check your suburb.
Are your smoke alarms up to date?
Tell Joel how many bedrooms and levels your home has, or call for a chat about upgrading.