Best Smoke Alarms In Australia

Every building should have a fully functioning and properly installed smoke detector. It’s what will alert you and your family, employees, customers or clientele to an unexpected fire, allowing you all to stay safe in even the worst of circumstances. All of our electricians on the Sunshine Coast are Authorised Service Agents for Red Smoke Alarms, known as the best smoke alarm in Australia, but there are plenty of other options out there.

Here’s our guide to the best smoke alarms in Australia and how to find the right one for your home or building.

Different Types Of Smoke Alarms

Ionisation Vs Photoelectric Smoke Alarms

There are two types of smoke alarms, ionisation and photoelectric. Ionisation smoke alarms work by sensing actual smoke particles, whereas photoelectric smoke alarms detect smoke using a beam of light located inside the device. Photoelectric smoke detectors detect smoke faster than ionisation alarms, which is one of the reasons they are recommended over ionisation alarms.

Hardwired Vs Battery-Powered Smoke Alarms

There are two ways your smoke alarm can be powered. Either through an internal battery, or they can be connected to your home’s power supply. Ideally, your smoke alarm would be hardwired and contain a backup battery in case of a power outage. In saying this, it can be difficult to wire smoke alarms after the construction of a house. In this case, battery-powered smoke alarms are acceptable so long as they have low-battery warning features.

How To Choose The Best Smoke Alarm

Battery Life and Low-Battery Warning Features

If your smoke alarm depends on a battery as its power source, it’s important to choose a detector that takes lithium batteries. These batteries can last up to 10 years or more, giving you a good run before you will need to change them. Make sure that your detector also has a low battery warning light so that you know when it’s time to change your battery.

Test and Mute Buttons

Ensure that your smoke alarm also has test and mute or ‘hush’ buttons. This will allow you to not only test your device and ensure it’s working properly but also quickly mute it in the case of a false alarm.

Connectivity

Gone are the days when you had to find a step ladder to turn off a false alarm in the middle of the night. There are now wireless smoke alarm controllers that you can conveniently connect to your entire smoke alarm system, switching it off remotely. 

Ask An Expert

The best way to ensure that you’re properly installing an Australian Standard smoke alarm that best suits your home is to consult an expert. Contact our electricians on the Sunshine Coast to discuss your smoke alarm needs.