As the name suggests, heat alarms (also called heat detectors) are designed to emit a visual and audible alarm when a change is detected in the ambient room temperature. Our Red heat alarms will activate when the temperature reaches and exceeds 55°C due to a fire.
Which is better – smoke alarm or heat alarm?
We recommend installing heat alarms in your home to compliment an existing interconnected smoke alarm system (not as a substitute for it). The main benefit of a heat alarm is that they are not susceptible to dust, cooking smoke, humidity or other fumes which are often the cause of nuisance alarms in a conventional photoelectric smoke alarm. For this reason, it may be beneficial to install a heat alarm in kitchens (cooking smoke), garages (car exhaust fumes), laundry rooms (humidity), workshops or attics (dust) where these external environmental conditions could trigger false alarming.
Can heat alarms be interconnected too?
Yes, our Red heat alarms are designed to be interconnected with other Red heat/smoke alarms, so if one heat alarm activates it will automatically trigger all the other interconnected heat alarms and/or smoke alarms within the same group. The heat alarm that we sell is the fully wireless Red heat alarm model RFA10RF. This heat alarm is powered by a 10 year long life lithium battery and can be interconnected wirelessly with other Red smoke alarms and heat alarms.
Are your heat alarms suitable for compliance with the NSW Short Term Rental Accommodation (STRA) Fire Safety Standard?
Yes, our heat alarms (and smoke alarms for that matter) are compliant with the NSW Short Term Rental Accommodation (STRA) Fire Safety Standard. This standard applies to holiday rentals, Airbnb and other similar short term accommodation properties in NSW. Section 4.1.2 of the standard states that;
What the above passage means is that if there is a private locked garage on the same premises as the short term rental accommodation, then a heat alarm must be installed in that private garage (even if the garage is not accessible to the guest) . The heat alarm in the garage must interconnected with smoke alarms in the dwelling. The interconnection can be either hardwired, or wireless.
Our Red heat alarms are fully compliant to Australian Standard 1603.3:2018 Automatic fire detection and alarm systems: Heat alarms, and are suitable for the NSW Short Term Rental Accommodation (STRA) Fire Safety Standard.
Ever wondered how to physically attach our ZEN smoke alarms onto your ceiling? You won’t believe how easy it is! A major benefit of ZEN wireless 10-year battery powered smoke alarms is that there is no electrical wiring involved – this means they can be installed without an electrician. ZEN smoke alarm bundle packs will even arrive to you already interconnected together as a group – no need to pair them up as we’ve done it for you!
Checklist:
ZEN wireless smoke alarm and its accompanying mounting bracket
Screws and anchor plugs (included with our ZEN smoke alarms)
Screwdriver or a cordless drill with 5mm drill bit
Pencil
STEP 1: Twist the mounting bracket to remove it from the rear of the ZEN smoke alarm.
STEP 2: Use a pencil to mark the location of the two mounting bracket slots on the ceiling position.
STEP 3: Use a 5mm drill bit to drill a pilot hole at each pencil location marked on the ceiling. Now insert an anchor plug into each pilot hole and use the two screws to affix the mounting bracket to the chosen position.
STEP 4: Press the ZEN smoke alarm to the mounting bracket and firmly rotate clockwise to lock it in place onto the bracket.
STEP 5: Push the surface of the ZEN smoke alarm (test button) to ensure it is working properly. If you have more than one interconnected smoke detector, then the others in the same group will also activate within approximately 10 seconds (this is normal). Allow all the interconnected smoke alarms to finish their full test cycle without pressing any other buttons – they will all stop automatically after approximately 10 seconds.
Where should I install
wireless interconnected smoke alarms?
Queensland smoke alarms should be placed inside every bedroom and the interconnecting hallway outside the bedrooms – if there is no common hallway outside the bedrooms then install a smoke alarm on the nearest route of exit or travel path from the dwelling. If it is a multi-story dwelling then there must be at least one smoke alarm installed on every level of the property.
Additionally, smoke detectors should not be installed within 30cm from the edge of a wall, within 30cm from a light fixture, 40cm from an air con vent and also within 40cm from a ceiling fan blade. It is preferable to install smoke detectors on the ceiling, as opposed to the wall.
Don’t forget – refer to your state legislation. Queensland smoke alarms laws state if an existing 240V hardwired smoke alarm is to be replaced, then it must be replaced with another 240V hardwired smoke alarm (requires an electrician).
WARNING – do not use theseproducts
when installing your smoke alarms!
Be wary of retailers offering adhesive mounting kits or drill-free magnet mounting kits with their smoke alarms – we do not recommend using these products as they do NOT last. Whilst Australian Standard 3786:2014 doesn’t specify how smoke alarms should be attached to the ceiling, if you use the aforementioned products your smoke alarm will fall from the ceiling after a period of days, weeks or months, and it will become damaged when it smashes onto the floor.
How do we know this? – we stopped selling the adhesive kits / magnetic mounts several years ago. Consumer feedback indicated the products were unreliable, and in good conscience we could not continue selling them – we’d rather have happy satisfied customers at the expense of profits. Spend a few extra minutes and use the included screws to affix your smoke alarm to the ceiling – this is definetely the best way to install your wireless smoke alarms.
Want to know more? Watch our ZEN quick start video or call us on 0478 596 402 today.
Do I need to supply a smoke alarm compliance certificate when selling my property in Queensland? This is a common question, and the answer depends on what type of smoke alarms are installed.
1. 240V hardwired alarms installed in your property:
QLD Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) state that 240V hardwired smoke alarms require a Certificate of Testing and Compliance when selling your property. The certificate is provided by a licensed electrician and must certify that the hardwired alarms are electrically safe.
2. Wireless 10-year battery powered alarms
(no electrical work)
There is no QLD law that says a smoke alarm compliance certificate must be produced by the seller.
What legislation does stipulate is that the seller must install compliant photoelectric interconnected smoke alarms in all prescribed locations as required by law.
When this is done, the seller must disclose in writing to the buyer that compliant smoke alarms have been installed. This is achieved by completing two legal documents.
– the ‘Form 24’ (QLD Transfer of Title Form)
– the Contract of Sale
The ‘Form 24’ (QLD Transfer of Title Form) – section 5 (g)
The Contract of Sale
The Real Estate Institute of QLD (REIQ) is Queensland’s peak professional body for the real estate industry. Their fact sheet below states that the seller is not required to provide a compliance certificate. However, the buyer is entitled to arrange for an inspection of the smoke alarms (at their own cost).
Should the smoke alarms be deemed non-compliant, the buyer is entitled to an adjustment of 0.15% of the purchase price in their favour (if requested).
For this reason, people who don’t feel confident installing wireless 10-year battery powered smoke alarms may choose to pay a third party service provider to install the smoke alarms, with a ‘compliance certificate’ provided. Or they may arrange for an inspection of their own DIY work, again with a ‘compliance certificate’ provided (noting this is not a legal requirement to enact the sale).
240V hardwired smoke alarms must always be installed by a licensed electrician.
Want to do some further reading? Links to all official sources in this article are provided below:
QFES state that 240V hardwired interconnected smoke alarms installed by a licensed electrician require a Certificate of Testing and Compliance when selling your property.
States that the seller of a property must provide notice in writing to the purchaser that compliant smoke alarms are installed in all prescribed locations.
Lists all the prescribed locations for installation of smoke alarms as required by law. It also lists the prescribed ways of powering smoke alarms, and any additional smoke alarm compliance requirements.
REIQ state that the seller does not need to provide a compliance certificate to confirm the smoke alarms installed are compliant.
Provides guidance on who checks smoke alarms during the selling process, and what could happen if smoke alarms are not compliant.
Legal Disclaimer: Information contained in this article is general in nature and should not be construed as legal advice. You should always seek the services of a legal professional when selling or purchasing a property.
Want to know more? Watch our ZEN quick start video or call us on 0478 596 402 today
Australians are renowned for their love of the great outdoors – from senior Grey Nomads to the younger #vanlife movement, Aussies are camping and caravanning in greater numbers than ever before. No doubt you’ve thoroughly researched your road trip, loaded up all the necessities, and packed the recreational gear, but have you checked how safe your caravan or campervan actually is?
Fire safety is crucial in a campervan as most usually have only one escape route in the event of a fire. As modern vans and motorhomes are made of lightweight and highly combustible materials you may have only a few seconds to escape a burning caravan. Fires can accelerate rapidly, therefore receiving a warning from a photoelectric smoke detector may mean the difference between life and death.
How many smoke alarms do I need? Where do I put them?
It is recommended that you have at least one working photoelectric smoke alarm inside the van where the bed is, and one also in the annex if you sleep there – the image below provides a handy visual guide. As per Australian Standard 3786:2014, the smoke alarm(s) should also have an integrated ‘hush’ button which allows it to be temporarily silenced, should the alarm be activated accidentally due to cooking smoke etc.
where to install smoke alarms in your campervan
Am I required by law to install a smoke alarm
in my campervan, caravan or mobile home?
You should be aware that there is different smoke alarm legislation in every Australian state. In NSW, Victoria and the Northern Territory, regardless of where your campervan is registered, it must be fitted with a smoke alarm by law. If you are visiting South Australia and you are on-site for 60 days or longer then a smoke alarm is required by law. In all other states fire authorities strongly recommended you install a smoke alarm, however it is not mandated by legislation. Some states also offer penalties for non-compliance. i.e. in NSW this may include on the spot fines of $200, and up to $550 if the matter goes to court. Note the definition of ‘campervan’ is quite broad and also includes the following; caravans, on-site vans, park vans, annexes (with rigid sides), mobile homes, and any other type of transportable structure where people sleep.
Recent news has further highlighted the lack of mandated alarms in Australian caravans, and fatalities due to caravan fires unfortunately occur annually. Don’t allow yourself to become a statistic – the short video below contains some great caravan fire safety advice from NSW Fire and Rescue.
Smoke alarms and caravan fire safety advice
Caravan fire safety tips!
Keep your cylinders outside the caravan
Ensure that your cylinders in the caravan are safely maintained. Ensure that your gas cylinders are always placed outside the van and switched to the off position when not in use.
To avoid gas leaks and subsequent fire hazards, ensure that your empty cylinders are stored in an open space and locked with a strap or something similarly sturdy. Be sure to check all gas fittings and hose connections prior to each road trip as they may work free due to extended vibration when travelling.
Using Appliances
Ensure that you check the health of all your caravan appliances, particularly high-load equipment by having them certified periodically by an electrician. Do not overload power leads, and protect them from exposure to natural elements such as rain ingress.
Avoid parking in grassy areas
When parking your caravan, avoid camp sites that have tall grass as these can easily catch fire. The same applies to parking spots with spinifex growth as the same is a fire hazard. Search instead for a cleared area.
Safe cooking
Cooking while moving is prohibited as it is one of the major causes of fire. In addition, never leave the stove unattended when cooking inside the van. Setting up BBQ too close to the campervan itself might scatter embers or increase radiant heat levels, which could cause the awning fabric to catch fire. It is good practice to always maintain a minimum 5m distance from the caravan when cooking outside to prevent caravan fires and potential carbon monoxide poisoning.
Have fire extinguishers handy
Second only to a smoke alarm, the next most important item to prevent fire from spreading is a dry chemical powder (DCP) fire extinguisher. Make sure your extinguisher is effective at all times by ensuring it remains fully charged and is within its use by shelf life. Fire extinguishers should be available at an accessible location, typically adjacent to the exit route of the van.
Fire Blankets
To contain a small campervan fire (i.e. on the stove top), a fire blanket may suffice. Fire blankets are made of fire resistant material. Select a fire blanket that can withstand temperatures of up to 500 degrees celcius. Place the fire blanket next to your exit door. As most fire blankets have no date of expiry, they are considered durable by full-time caravanners. Do not wait until a fire occurs before opening the fire blanket for the first time – practice beforehand so you are familiar with it, and learn the correct technique to place it over a small fire without burning yourself in the process.
Install a photoelectric smoke alarm in your campervan – protect loved ones
Complete this fire safety checklist before embarking on your next road trip adventure
Does your campervan / caravan have a working photoelectric smoke alarm, fire extinguisher and a fire blanket located near the exit?
Do you have an escape plan pre-prepared in case of fire? Ensure escape routes remain unobstructed.
Check that LPG cylinders are secured correctly to the van and that all fittings and hoses are in good working order with no leaks.
Have all electrical appliances been test and tagged by a qualified electrician?
Ensure you turn off any pilot lights before towing or when the towing vehicle’s engine is running.
Download the free EmergencyPlus app to your mobile phone. The app is available from Google Play (android) or the App Store (Apple). The app uses GPS functionality built into smart phones to help a Triple Zero (000) caller provide critical location details required to mobilise emergency services.
Want to know more? Watch our ZEN quick start video or call us on 0478 596 402 today.
