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Is Your Smoke Alarm The Correct Type For Northern Territory Legislation?​

Smoke detectors and smoke alarms are an important part of safety in your home or business. It is important to maintain them and ensure that the backup battery is replaced yearly if it is a 9V type with an accessible battery compartment. The Fire & Emergency Services run an important campaign to assist with remembering to replace your battery every 12 months, the campaign requests to change it on the 1st of April every year so not to be an April Fool

Testing your smoke alarm

As well as replacing the battery it is important to keep the alarm clean of dust, cobwebs, and moisture as this will help minimize false alarms and ensure your smoke alarm is in working order. Also checking that the smoke alarm is functional is recommended. This can be achieved by pushing the test button to test the siren and ensure it is sounding. Typically the noise can be ceased by holding this same test button on the smoke alarm. Also, test smoke in an aerosol can, can be purchased from leading electrical wholesalers all of the Darwin. 

Legislation and compliance

Northern Territory legislation requires the following quoted from the PFES website: “Residential properties that are owner-occupied and have hardwired (240 volt) ionisation smoke alarms already installed only need to replace them with compatible mains powered approved photoelectric alarms when the ionisation smoke alarm ceases to function.

Homeowners may choose to replace their alarms sooner for safety of a better functioning smoke alarm but this is not a requirement. Where residential property owners are renewing a tenancy or selling a property or dwelling, approved photoelectric smoke alarms must be installed by the owner prior to the occupancy of the tenant or completion of the sale transaction.” 

Do I have a photoelectric smoke alarm?

An easy way to check if your smoke alarm is photoelectric is to read the label that sits underneath the head of the smoke alarm. The label will clearly state on all brands the type of smoke alarm. If the smoke alarm label state’s ionisation or radioactive, this is the incorrect type of smoke alarm it should be replaced as a matter of priority. Please see this video to see where the label rests and how to remove the smoke alarm label. 

Another great way to check for smoke alarm compliance for your home, rental property or business is by viewing the fact sheets here

If you are not sure don’t leave your safety to chance, have a qualified electrician check the smoke alarm and ensure it is the correct type, in the right location and is working. Or comment below with your smoke alarm photo and we will be more than happy to assist you in understanding the type of smoke alarm and what you must do with it.