Part 4: Compulsory smoke detectors

[Aangelique1611]

Just wondering a few things, is this something I can do myself? (being someone who can barely climb a ladder) or is there a whole bunch of rules and regulations about how its meant to be done to comply with statutory requirements? Im assuming its much more technical than going to bunnings and sticking the blasted thing to the roof in the kitchen based on my property managers exy quote to get this done ...

[Simomatra]

Hi Aangelique1611

As the Smoke detectors are required to be hard wired then it is a job for a licensed electrician. If you think the property managers quote is high get some more quotes.

[Ashore]

Just wondering a few things, is this something I can do myself? (being someone who can barely climb a ladder) or is there a whole bunch of rules and regulations about how its meant to be done to comply with statutory requirements? Im assuming its much more technical than going to bunnings and sticking the blasted thing to the roof in the kitchen based on my property managers exy quote to get this done ...
Yes you can do it yourself ( be careful on the ladder though)

DO NOT put one in the kitchen, or just outside to door to the kitchen, it will go off every time you use the kitchen

Make sure you can hear the unit from your bedroom , usually not a problem, unless you have a very large or two story house

Because of the low cost install 2 or 3 and always use the best quality batteries you can get , saves changing every 4/5 months , good ones can lats 2 or more years

As to rules and regulations ring your local council offices and ask, always best to get the correct rules in these cases

Rgds

[Ashore]

Hi Aangelique1611

As the Smoke detectors are required to be hard wired then it is a job for a licensed electrician. If you think the property managers quote is high get some more quotes.

Sam I think the hard wired being compulsory only applies to new buildings or extensions with sleeping arears

Rgds
Russell

[Simomatra]

Sam I think the hard wired being compulsory only applies to new buildings or extensions with sleeping arears

Rgds
Russell

Russell I posted too early without doing my NSW homework. You are correct.

Below is a link which will clarify some of this.

Sorry for the incorrect earlier info.

If you go the battery way ensure that you note when fitted and replace the battery annually. they also require testing at a regular interval to ensure they actually work

http://www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au/corporate/aboutus/2006/200604301mayinstallyoursmokealarmsnow.html

[Markw]

As the Smoke detectors are required to be hard wired

I thought that this requirement is only for new constructions. Can't existing dwellings, including rentals still use battery operated in NSW.

Personally in my own home I wouldn't have a hard wired system in a pink fit. A large majority of house fires are related to the 240v system in either an overload of an appliance, faulty/damaged wiring or someone doing something they shouldn't ie stealing electricity often to grow weed. In any case the electricity starts the burning process before the fuse blows, especially when some di*khead has fitted a nail for a fuse. By the time the smoke actually reaches the detector the main house fuse (the 100A in the black case) has blown. Guess what no detectors. - No thanks

I like my battery version. It chirps will every few minutes if the batteries were to go flat but I change them every six months (twice recommended).

[Markw]

Every one must be maddly composing and posting - never fails does it :D :D :D

[Aangelique1611]

the agent said something about it having to be hard wired or have lithium batteries and that lithium batteries are meant to last 10 years ... apparently they have become compulsory from 1 november... (well 1 may but then they ran out of lithium batteries so the legislation changed to 1 nov...) this is all second hand info with absolutely nothing to back it up ... but what im assuming from your response is that i can just stick one there myself :) nice one... jeez im budget! ha! are smoke alarms expensive?

[Ashore]

the agent said something about it having to be hard wired or have lithium batteries and that lithium batteries are meant to last 10 years ... apparently they have become compulsory from 1 november... (well 1 may but then they ran out of lithium batteries so the legislation changed to 1 nov...) this is all second hand info with absolutely nothing to back it up ... but what im assuming from your response is that i can just stick one there myself :) nice one... jeez im budget! ha! are smoke alarms expensive?

Check out the link sam posted , go to the fact sheet at the bottom

They are not expensive have seen them under $4 at bunnies on special
Depending on the brand but remember you get what you pay for

Mark the hard wired units all have a battery back up as they must still be able to operate in a blackout.

Rgds

[Markw]

Russell
I had seen the HWrd units at Bunnies but they didn't mention the backup bit so I assumed them to be straight 240v. Thanks for the update.

[silentC]

In addition, the hardwired ones can be linked so that if one goes off they all do. This is good in a large house where you have separate sleeping areas (like our place). If the alarm near the kids' rooms goes off, the one outside our bedroom door will too.

[Ashore]

Russell
I had seen the HWrd units at Bunnies but they didn't mention the backup bit so I assumed them to be straight 240v. Thanks for the update.
The bigger problem with hard wired is that they have a limited life they have to be replaced after ( normally ) 10 years as the radioactive material is consumed, so if you are getting any make sure they are new and haven't been sitting on a shelf somewear for a couple of years, :cool:

Rgds

[rockola]

The bigger problem with hard wired is that they have a limited life they have to be replaced after ( normally ) 10 years as the radioactive material is consumedIsn't that the case with battery-only detectors as well?