Working smoke alarms save lives

Cleaning a smoke alarm Building regulations state that every home in Victoria must have a smoke alarm complying with Australian Standard AS 3786. Existing homes may install battery-powered smoke alarms, but all new houses must be fitted with hardwired-in smoke alarms prior to occupancy.

Make the right choice

Smoke alarms are inexpensive and easy to install. When choosing an alarm for your home, be sure to select one that meets Australian Standard AS 3786.

There are two types of smoke alarms - ionisation alarms that predominantly detect the presence of extremely small particles of smoke, and the newer photo-electric alarms that detect visible smoke.

Research indicates that although both types of alarms give occupants time to escape, photo-electric alarms are consistently more effective at detecting smouldering fires in homes.

CFA urges all householders to supplement their existing ionisation smoke alarms with photo-electric alarms.

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

Find the Your Home Fire Safety brochure in the Home Safety page of the Publications section.