Choosing a Smoke Alarm
Real Estate In Motion | A smoke alarm is your first fire safety defense and perhaps the difference between life and death in extreme fire hazards. Als...
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Choosing a Smoke Alarm

A smoke alarm is your first fire safety defense and perhaps the difference between life and death in extreme fire hazards. Also, compliance with Australian Building Standards requires having smoke alarms in your property.

Here, we discuss the various types of smoke alarms so that choosing one becomes easy.

Photoelectric Smoke Alarm


Photoelectric smoke alarms are often the most recommended variety as they tend to give an earlier warning of the presence of fire in a property. They work by detecting any smoke that is present in the air.

Ionisation Smoke Detectors


The ionisation smoke detectors tend to only detect smoke particles from larger flames. This can be a disadvantage as it gives less time to leave the property; they are also more prone to experiencing false alarms.

Power Sources for Smoke Alarms:



Smoke Alarms with 9-volt batteries:

These alarms are easy to install. The only drawback is battery replacement. The 9-volt batteries will have to be replaced if the smoke alarm beeps indicating the need for replacement.

240 Volt Smoke Alarms with 9-volt Batteries:

These are directly connected to the main power source of your building. The batteries act as backup if there is power outage. The installation of these smoke alarms must be done by licensed electricians. The only drawback is again the need for battery replacement, which has to be done annually.

240 Volt Smoke Alarms with Rechargeable 9-volt Batteries:

These are virtually maintenance free as far as power sources go. The batteries are automatically charged by the mains power supply and last up to 10 years. The only drawback is that the batteries cannot be replaced and the entire unit has to be discarded after a decade. The installation must be done by a licensed technician.

The Cost of Smoke Detectors


Smoke alarms are relatively inexpensive, especially when you consider the safety they bring to lives and properties. If you’re going for an ionisation smoke detector, the cost can range from under $10 and go up to about $50.

A photoelectric smoke alarm can cost slightly more. The prices start from around $20 and go all the way up to $100 depending on the features that it comes with.

Act today to get your smoke alarms in order and stay safe.