Smoke Alarms
What you need to know about Smoke Alarms
The growing presence of appliances, electrical outlets, and devices in our residences and workplaces heightens the potential for property fires.
This is where smoke alarms come into play.
Ensuring you have the appropriate number, placement, and maintenance of these essential devices could be the decisive factor between life and death.
A functioning detector that offers early warning is indispensable for safeguarding against fire hazards.
How Do Smoke Alarms Work?
The detectors are equipped with glass tubes containing a substance that reacts to smoke particles in the air.
Upon detection of smoke, the substance facilitates the flow of electricity, prompting the activation of lights or sirens to alert occupants.
Moreover, to preserve battery life, the detector is programmed to emit intermittent signals if the central system malfunctions, ensuring ongoing operation.
Which Type of Alarm is right for my Home?
In Melbourne, various types of smoke alarms offer differing levels of effectiveness:
- Battery Operated Smoke Alarm: The simplest option, battery-operated smoke alarms are affordable and easy to maintain. However, if the battery fails or is removed, the alarm won't function.
- Hard Wired: More intricate than battery-operated models, hard-wired detectors require professional installation by an electrician. While installation costs may be higher, these alarms continue to operate during power outages.
- Interconnected Smoke Alarms: Interconnected detectors can be linked to others throughout your home, such as those in the laundry or garage. Connected to an electricity supply, these alarms function independently. Their interconnected nature enhances effectiveness, as a fire triggering one alarm prompts activation of others on different levels of the building. This rapid response ensures early detection of small or smoldering fires, preventing them from spreading to multiple rooms or the entire structure. Ultimately, interconnected smoke alarms play a crucial role in saving lives and safeguarding properties.
