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Mistakes People Make

When Positioning Smoke Alarms

Jump to... Photoelectric vs Ionisation Dead Air Space Blowing in the Wind Safety Matters

The days of a single cheap, battery powered smoke alarm is no longer enough

Most houses are now obliged to have alarms hard wired so that there aren’t any issues with flat batteries. These days it’s recommended that houses have alarms in every bedroom and on every floor, but what sort and where exactly?

Smoke Alarm Flatlay
Woman installing smoke alarm
Smoke Alarm Flatlay
Woman installing smoke alarm

Photoelectric vs Ionisation

Photoelectric are less prone to nuisance alarms such as from cooking smoke. Photoelectric smoke alarms are better than ionisation types at detecting a smouldering fire, which is what most house fires tend to be in the crucial initial stages.

As you lose your sense of smell while sleeping, the earliest possible warning of a smouldering fire is very important. Photoelectric smoke alarms provide the earliest detection of a fire hazard in the home, so occupants can escape quickly and safely.

Photoelectric alarms provide the earliest detection

Photoelectric alarms are mandatory in QLD and NT, and are also recommended by all other state fire departments. Ionisation alarms respond to fast-flaming fires, but that means they are more liable to be triggered by steam and kitchen fumes.

All smoke alarms are best kept away from bathrooms and kitchens if you don’t want alarms going off needlessly. When it’s time to upgrade, install photoelectric type alarms for early warning of any fire to allow enough time to escape.

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Where to Install

Dead Air Space

Nuisance alarms can be a pain, but the real problem is the smoke alarm that doesn’t go off because it’s in the wrong spot. Putting alarms in ‘dead air space’ means that smoke doesn’t reach them until it’s too late and they simply can’t do their job of alerting you to a fire. Dead air space refers to areas that trap hot air, preventing smoke reaching the alarm.

It’s why you always see alarms positioned away from the corner where the ceiling meets the wall. That’s a dead air space and so is the apex of cathedral ceilings. Essentially you shouldn’t hide smoke alarms in corners – they have to be out and proud. Exposed beams create corners as well. The rule is to place alarms at least 300mm from corners.

Blowing in the Wind

Areas prone to excessive air movement near windows, fans and air conditioning vents are also no good because the smoke may be blown away.

'Smoke Alarm Flatlay

Guideline

The guideline in this case is that you shouldn’t put alarms within 400mm of air conditioning vents or the blades of a ceiling fan, however we recommend 1m if possible.

AFDD Flatlay
AFDD flatlay
AFDD Flatlay
AFDD flatlay

Safety Matters

The latest move with smoke alarm regulations is that alarms should be interconnected. That means if one alarm detects fire, all of the alarms in the house go off. It’s a better system for alerting people if a fire in the living room also sets off an alarm in the room in which they are sleeping.

Safety in the home is a serious issue. There are always improvements that can save lives. It wasn’t all that long ago that smoke alarms were unknown. Older homes frequently still have just an ageing battery alarm and even old fashioned fuses.

If you go to the trouble of upgrading smoke detectors, it would be remiss not to consider latest innovations that can help to prevent electrical fires as well.

AFDD - An innovation in electrical safety

Modern circuit breakers (those switches that occasionally trip in your fuse box) are good at preventing over-loading and short-circuit of electrical cables. However, they’re not designed to detect hidden arc faults in electrical circuits caused by broken wires, loose connections, crushed cables behind bedside or cables damaged by pests.

For a complete protection against fires, you need Arc Fault Detection Device (AFDD) installed in your switchboard. An AFDD is a latest innovation in safety that automatically cuts the electricity supply when it detects an arc fault in a circuit. AFDDs are highly recommended for wooden buildings and locations having people with less mobility due to age or disability.

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Learn more about Arc Fault Detection Devices

For protection against electrical fires

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Big thanks to founder David Ellingsen from Metropolitan Electrical Contractors.

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