In the ages we are living in, you must install an ample number of smoke alarms in your home. Fire research studies published in Australia show that thanks to modern furnishings, fires spread much faster than it did in the past.

We are using more synthetic materials that are more flammable than the materials of yesteryears. Due to such reports, you can see why having the right number of well-placed smoke alarms is sufficient.

They act as an early warning that helps you and your family have more time to escape should in case there is a fire. Australia’s National Construction Code allows the use of photoelectric as well as ionization smoke detectors.

These units pass fire alarms in residential properties. For some areas, the fire alarm and signal code dictates that smoke alarms should be installed in every sleeping room.

 The National Construction Code allows the use of two smoke detectors, photoelectric and ionization smoke detectors as fire alarms in residential properties. Given these rules, if you are a DIYer, below we share a few tidbits on how to install the correct smoke alarms in your home.

Selecting and Installing Smoke

Alarms Start by selecting smoke alarms that hold a label of a reputable testing laboratory—purchase smoke alarms for every bedroom, the kitchen and for installing outside every sleeping area.

 You should also consider getting units to install in every level of your home, including the basement. Smoke alarms should be installed on the levels that don’t have bedrooms, such as the family room, the upper-level stairwell and also the stairwell leading to the sleeping area.

For the basement, you should install the detector at the lowest step of the stairwell that opens up to the next level.

Please note that the rules dictate that smoke alarms should be installed three meters from any cooking appliance. Doing so helps lower the risk of the alarm going off when you’re cooking.

Mount the alarms high up on walls or the ceiling depending on the height of your property. Wall-mounted alarms shouldn’t exceed twelve inches from the ceiling, however.

If the style of your ceiling is pitched, install the alarm some three feet from the peak. However, ensure that you don’t mount the gadget within the apex’s peak.

Smoke Alarm Installation Don’ts

You shouldn’t install the alarms near windows, ducts, or doors, where drafts are likely to interfere with its work. You shouldn’t paint over smoke alarms. Neither should you use other decorations or place stickers as these would keep the alarm from functioning correctly.

For the ultimate connection, you should interlock all your smoke alarms. Doing so ensures that when one alarm goes off, all the remaining smoke alarms get triggered. You can make the interconnection either by implementing a wireless connectivity or hard-wiring.

For proper interconnection, you should purchase alarms from one manufacturer; this way, you’ll be sure they remain compatible and will sound at once after getting triggered. There are two different kinds of smoke alarms available in Australia (photoelectric and ionization).

An ionization smoke alarm is best for detecting flaming fires, while a photoelectric smoke alarm works best by detecting smouldering fires. To get the best of both worlds, you can purchase a combined ionization-photoelectric alarms that come highly recommended.