Bush fires and extreme summer temperatures around Australia have focused all of us on the need to protect our families, homes and commercial properties from fire.
Did you know?
In Western Australia, every residence is required to have at least one smoke detector connected to mains electricity wiring, or a stand-alone detector that has a 10-year battery.
If you are leasing a home or commercial premises, ensure your landlord or agent tests the smoke detector system regularly.
There are specific state government fire safety codes for all categories of commercial premises, the team at NexGen Tradies can help you ensure you are complying.
For maximum safety, every level and all rooms in commercial or residential premises should have a smoke alarm. In your home, this includes outside living areas such as sleep-outs, sheds, workshops, and patios.
Ideally, smoke alarms should be placed in the centre of the ceiling. Or on a wall near ceiling height.
Smoke detector systems can be powered by:
- House wiring;
- House wiring with battery back-up;
- Replaceable batteries; and
- Sealed long-life batteries.
If your home does not have a working smoke alarm, its time to get one now and install it as a short-term safety measure. The next step is to contact a property maintenance company, such as NexGen Tradies and Handymen, based in Fremantle and Perth, for an obligation free quote on an affordable smoke detector system. For those who are renting, be proactive and contact your agent, as its undoubtedly against the law now not to have them fitted to your premises.
Testing smoke alarms
Testing your smoke detector system regularly is time invested in safety. If you’re not sure, its a good idea to contact NexGen Tradies, have them check each smoke alarm unit individually. Its important to do this test twice a year. Have a qualified electrician inspect your residential or commercial systems to ensure they are appropriate and working.
Smoke detector systems that are 10 or more years old should be disposed of and replaced with current technology.
Quicker escape
An interconnected hard-wired smoke detector system, as seen in new commercial buildings and homes, are reputed to offer a quicker escape time. However, in older homes where hard-wiring may not be possible, a series of individual smoke alarms may be able to be interconnected without loading up the existing electrical system.
Being interconnected is important: the smoke alarm in the system that goes off first triggers the chain of connected alarms. This means residents will hear an alarm near them.
On hearing the alarm, they must immediately leave the premises. Once outside, they must not go back into it for any reason.
Fire drill guide
Just like businesses, families need to have a fire drill plan. The escape route should offer two ways to get out of a room and the drill should be practiced in every room. After leaving the home, muster at a designated meeting spot for a head count to ensure everyone is safe.
Employing NegGen Tradies and Handymen to test your smoke alarms, or to install a smoke detector system in your home or commercial premises, is an investment in safety. Our qualified electrician can provide a free, no obligation, quote.
Call NexGenTradies and Handymen for peace of mind.
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