Fire and smoke detection - Housing for Health

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A3.2 Fire and smoke detection

It is a compulsory requirement in all states and territories that, in the construction of new houses and during major renovations, mains powered smoke alarms are fitted. Survey data shows that there has been an increase in both the proportion of houses with smoke alarms fitted (from 45% of houses to 57%) and the proportion of houses with at least one smoke alarm working (from 28% to 36%) since 2006. Still the recent numbers show well below 50% of the houses tested have no adequate means of fire detection. From other sections of the Guide we know these houses are older, crowded, subject to harsh environmental conditions. The combination of these factors make the lack of fire detection more critical.

When working properly, smoke alarms can save lives. However, false alarms can be annoying, and because of this some people disable or remove their smoke alarms. It is important to locate the smoke alarms where false alarms are less likely and to choose a smoke alarm that is suited to the room and the environment in which it is used.

The most common household smoke alarm is an ‘ionisation’ type, which can be triggered by cigarette smoke, toasters, cooking fumes, open fires, combustion heaters, steam from the bathroom, or kettles and pots on the stove. In severe cases, high humidity or dust can also cause false alarms in these detectors. Ionisation detectors are best located in a passage, but away from the bathroom door, or in bedrooms and living rooms

An alternative ‘photo-electric’ type detects smouldering fires, which have larger particles in the air. It is less likely to be falsely triggered by cooking, but more susceptible to dust, humidity and insects. Photo-electric alarms are best used in rooms that are near the kitchen area and in bedrooms where smouldering type fires are more likely to occur.

Heat alarms are designed to trigger when the temperature reaches 58°C but do not detect smoke. Heat alarms are only suited for use in kitchen areas and cannot be substituted elsewhere for smoke alarms.

Other strategies to reduce impact of false alarms include:

providing large capacity, external exhaust vents in the bathroom and kitchen, and checking these are working before the smoke alarm is fitted
choosing an alarm that has a remote and easily accessible ‘hush’ or ‘isolator’ switch, which will enable the residents to temporarily disconnect the detector after a false alarm. This will allow sufficient time for the smoke or steam to clear and then the unit will automatically reset.

Real world examples of problems

Design and Specification

Ensure

A3.2.1.
smoke alarms are installed in all new houses and in upgraded or renovated houses
A3.2.2.
smoke alarms are correctly positioned (the number of bedrooms and house layout will affect the selection, location and quantity
A3.2.3.
exhaust vents and located in the bathroom and kitchen
A3.2.4.
selecting an alarm that has a remote and easily accessible ‘hush’ or ‘isolator’ switch, which will enable the residents to temporarily disconnect the detector after a false alarm

Consider

specifying a smoke alarm with a wall mounted hush or pause button that automatically resets after five minutes, or installing a timer switch to the smoke alarm so that it automatically resets (confirm hush buttons, if installed, are easy to reach by people with disabilities)
installing fire extinguishers and/or fire blankets in kitchens
installing externally vented exhausts to kitchens
in the tropics, discussing the selection, installation and siting of smoke alarms with an electrician to make sure the alarms do not falsely trigger because of humidity or insects
installing low cost domestic sprinkler systems to meet AS 2118.5
installing interconnected smoke alarms, which use 10 year life, rechargeable backup batteries to reduce maintenance costs
installing additional photo-electric type smoke alarms in bedrooms.

Real world examples of Solutions

Quality control

all smoke alarms have been installed as required by local regulations, are connected to the mains power and are working

When: COMPLETED DESIGN & SPECIFICATION
DURING CONSTRUCTION
AT HANDOVER
FINAL COMPLETION
each smoke alarm has a remote and easily accessible ‘hush’ or ‘isolator’ switch and they are working

When: COMPLETED DESIGN & SPECIFICATION
DURING CONSTRUCTION
AT HANDOVER
FINAL COMPLETION
exhaust fans have been installed where specified in bathrooms and kitchens, are vented to the outside and are working

When: COMPLETED DESIGN & SPECIFICATION
DURING CONSTRUCTION
AT HANDOVER
FINAL COMPLETION
flues have been fitted to wood heaters and are safely vented through the roof and the flue is isolated from all combustible roof structure.

When: DURING CONSTRUCTION
AT HANDOVER
FINAL COMPLETION

Maintenance

As part of cyclical maintenance check that:

smoke alarms are working by pressing the test button

Who : Local Maintenance Team
When : 3 Months
smoke alarms are vacuumed clean every 6 months to remove dust, insects and other pollutants by the resident or local maintenance team

Who : Local Maintenance Team
When : 6 Months
the 9 volt disposable battery in each smoke alarm unit, (that acts as a back up if the mains power is disconnected for a brief period), is replaced every 12 months by the resident or local maintenance team

Who : Electrician, Local Maintenance Team
When : 12 Months
smoke alarms are installed in older houses

Who : Electrician
When : 24 Months
before winter, that the wood heater flue is clean and door seals do not have smoke leaks

Who : Wood Heater Specialist
When : 12 Months
exhaust fans in bathrooms and kitchens are operating and filters are cleaned by the resident or local maintenance team

Who : Electrician, Local Maintenance Team
When : 6 Months
residents and housing managers have information on the operation, maintenance, checking and disabling of smoke alarms.

Who : Housing Management
When : 12 Months