Don’t Be A Fool this April 1st, Embrace National Smoke Alarm Day
Mar 23, 2010
April 1st every year is National Smoke Alarm day, and the entire community is encouraged to check they have hard-wired smoke alarms fitted, that alarms are in full working order and new batteries are fitted if required.
From the 1st of October 2009 it has been compulsory in Western Australia for mains-powered smoke alarms to be fitted in all existing residential buildings prior to sale, and also when a new tenancy agreement is signed for rental properties. The new laws also state that alarms must remain in full working order at all times.
Therefore, the installation of a hard-wired or 10-year-battery-life alarm is not a ‘set and forget’ proposition and local Western Australian organisation, the Smoke Alarm Company encourage homeowners to call in a professional annually to check their alarms.
Mick Gibson, Director of The Smoke Alarm Company said, “Just like your car, smoke alarms need servicing regularly, and you wouldn’t try and service your car yourself, so we recommend calling in an expert for your annual smoke alarm maintenance check.”
It is not safe enough to ensure a hard-wired alarm is working just by pushing the test button. A checklist for homeowners, and those renting properties in terms of annually testing smoke alarms include:
- Annual Service of smoke alarm(s) in each property, (change 9v battery)
- Spray test smoke alarm, clean & unblock censors (bugs, insects &spider webs etc)
- Check smoke alarm is connected to mains power supply by a licensed electrician
- Inspect and monitor smoke alarm(s) for expiry
- Ensure that smoke alarm is not older than 10 years
Specialised businesses such as The Smoke Alarm Company can provide home owners piece of mind by checking all of the above, and provide written confirmation that a full service has been completed annually.
“Smoke Alarms have saved more lives than all the fire trucks in Australia”, Mick said, “The fire service is only likely to arrive at the scene of a fire, whereby a working smoke alarm can let you know of danger before a fire starts”.