Not all Smoke Alarms are Alike - Stay Safe with an ActivFire® Approved Smoke Alarm
According to NSW Fire and Rescue, the risk of a fatality in a home fire is halved if there is a working smoke alarm in the dwelling.
Smoke alarms have been a mandatory appliance for more than 10 years, but they don't last that long. If it's been a while since you last installed smoke alarms, it might be time to re-examine the fire safety protocols around your property.
Unfortunately, despite smoke alarms being law, they are not all created equal. ActivFire® is a government organisation run by the CSIRO dedicated to testing smoke alarms and verifying their effectiveness.
Upgrade your safety standards by only purchasing ActivFire® approved brands. This way, you know your family will have the best protection.
Smoke and fire alarms are available for different conditions. For the average suburban dwelling, the most effective protection is provided by interconnected photoelectric fire alarms.
How Do Photoelectric Smoke Alarms Work?
When a fire breaks out, residents have just a few minutes to escape to safety before succumbing to smoke. Photoelectric smoke detectors can detect a fire almost as soon as it begins, making them the best option for early warning.
A photoelectric device inside the alarm uses a focused beam of light projected onto a mirror. When even a tiny amount of smoke enters the device and blocks the beam, it triggers the smoke detector into sounding an alarm.
Interconnected fire alarms enhance the security of a fire alarm system. Each device can communicate with other devices to which they are connected. Should one photoelectric interconnected smoke alarm detect a fire, all devices will sound an alarm.
Other Features to Look for in Photoelectric Smoke Alarms
Smoke alarms can be hardwired into the mains system with a battery backup. Hush buttons are essential for dealing with false alarms, such as burnt toast.
Also, check for the quality seal of approval from ActivFire®, as these models are rigorously tested using the latest laboratory technology.
Photoelectric Interconnected Smoke Alarm Maintenance
Smoke alarms can fail for many reasons, so it's critical you perform testing and maintenance so your alarms can always protect your family.
Use the test button every month, and regularly vacuum around the vents to ensure smoke can easily penetrate the device. Batteries should also get replaced periodically but use a 10-year lithium battery for added reliability.
All DetectOn Photoelectric smoke alarms are ActivFire® Approved