Smoke Alarms

Smoke alarms are required in every home in Australia by law to protect occupants from death or injury due to smoke inhalation or catastrophic fire, but there are so many things to consider, it’s no wonder the subject is so confusing.

Basically, two types of smoke alarms are commonly available, being Photoelectric and Ionisation alarms, other special purpose alarms are also sometimes used such as carbon monoxide alarms where gas combustion or an open hearth fire might introduce harmful fumes to the living space.

The main difference between Photoelectric and Ionisation alarms is that Photoelectric alarms can sense smoke from a smouldering fire, enabling early arousal of occupants and allow time to control the fire or escape if necessary, but they are poorly equipped to sense a well-established, flaming fire.

Ionisation alarms by contrast can identify the presence of a flaming fire effectively but they are less able to provide early warning of a smouldering fire or impending breathing or visibility difficulties caused by heavy smoke. Some alarms combine both types of sensing, however, ionisation sensors can be triggered by vapours produced by cooking or by steam so their location should be suitably distanced from the bathroom or kitchen or other location where food is cooked.

Other types of smoke alarms might include heat sensing alarms, particularly suitable to fires in the kitchen where cooking oil might catch fire or from other inadvertent ignition sources, however, fires of this origin are more likely to be noticed immediately ignition takes place and easier to control.