img-3The best place to install smoke alarms in your house is in areas where everyone can hear them anytime. This precaution is important in Victoria, which sees around 3000 house fires yearly.

Of course, every home is different. Room layouts vary, and some are large or multi-level structures. It is for this reason that qualified professionals should install and inspect your home smoke alarms. They would know the ideal smoke detector locations for your safety.

In this article, we focus on the proper placement of smoke alarms in your house. We also list maintenance tips to ensure your alarm devices work when needed.

Are Smoke Alarms Mandatory in Every Home in Victoria?

According to Victorian law, all homes, units, flats, and townhouses must have a smoke alarm installed, complying with Australian Standards AS3786.

Here are some important conditions stated in the law:

  • Homes built before 1 August 1997 only require standalone, battery-powered smoke alarms.
  • Homes built after 1 August 1997 must have smoke alarms connected to 240-volt mains power. They should also have a backup battery in case of a power outage.
  • New homes and those with significant renovation after 1 May 2014 must use interconnected smoke alarms if multiple detectors are needed.

Where Should You Install a Smoke Alarm in the House?

The general standard is to place smoke alarms where everyone in the house can hear them. Country Fire Authority (CFA) Victoria says these locations include:

• every level of a multi-story house
• inside each bedroom
• between the sleeping and living areas
• sleeping areas that are separate from the main house
• hallways and stairs between floors

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Aside from these places, CFA also has the following smoke alarm installation reminders:

  • For ceiling installation: Install the smoke alarm in the centre of the ceiling, or at least 300 mm away from any cornice or wall. If your home has a cathedral or sloping ceiling, position the smoke alarm between 500 mm and 1500 mm from the highest point.
  • For wall installation: Mount the smoke alarm on the wall, 300 mm to 500 mm below the ceiling.

These requirements also apply when installing smoke alarms in workplaces.

CFA emphasises that most fatal fire incidents start in the bedroom or lounge area during sleeping hours between 8 pm and 8 am. When asleep, you lose your sense of smell, making it harder to detect smoke and act immediately.

Installing a smoke alarm in sleeping areas is one way to avoid this. Also, installing a smoke alarm inside and outside your bedroom ensures either device activates, no matter the fire origin.

Where Should You Not Install a Smoke Alarm?

Constant false alarms can happen if you install your smoke detectors in the wrong places. Also, these can disable or damage your smoke devices, leading to costly replacements, property damage, or loss of lives.

So, make sure to avoid installing smoke alarms in these locations:

  • Inside or outside the kitchen: Cooking smoke and steam can trigger your smoke alarm. However, fires commonly occur in kitchens, too. So, if you want to install one here, place it 10 feet (or 3 m) away from the stove or oven.
  • Inside or outside a bathroom or en-suite: Steam from hot showers and baths can activate your smoke alarm.
  • Inside or outside the laundry room: Moisture or steam from washing machines and dryers can trigger spurious alarms.
  • Near doors or windows: Excessive air circulation happens in these areas, which may prevent gases from reaching the smoke detector or cause accidental alarms.
  • Above heating or cooling ducts and ceiling fans: Similar to windows and doors, these areas generate excessive air movement.

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How Do You Maintain a Smoke Alarm?

CFA stresses that only working smoke alarms can save lives. So, it’s a must to keep yours in good condition. Here’s how:

  • Dust your smoke alarm at least once a month. Loose particles or dead insects can accumulate in smoke alarms and prevent them from working. Use a vacuum cleaner brush to remove debris.
  • Test your smoke alarm once a month. Press the smoke alarm button to see if it beeps. If it doesn’t or if the beep is not loud enough, replace the batteries and test again. Remember to replace lithium batteries every 10 years, while 9-volt ones need yearly replacement.
  • Replace your smoke alarm unit every 10 years. Ask a qualified electrician to install your new smoke alarm to ensure it complies with the standards. Be sure to keep track of the use-by date on the packaging. At times, you may need to replace the unit earlier than expected, especially if it’s yellowing, continuously beeping, or activating for no reason.

Book Professionals for Residential Smoke Alarm Installation

Knowing the best place to install a smoke alarm in your house ensures the device works should a fire incident occur. It is one crucial step in protecting your property and family.

When you install an alarm at home, ensure everyone is familiar with its function and sound. Orient them on what to do or where to go if the device goes off or triggers a nuisance alarm.

Contact Canny Electrics and call 1300 522 446 today if you need a smoke alarm installed in your Melbourne home. Our licensed electricians are well-experienced in putting compliant smoke detectors in residential and commercial buildings.