Photoelectric smoke alarms will be the way of the future

Australia’s worst household fire tragedy, which killed 11 people including eight children in 2011 in South Brisbane, has sparked the Queensland Government to mandate photoelectric smoke alarms in all homes across the state.

In light of this, Clipsal by Schneider Electric has announced it will now cease to sell ionisation smoke alarms altogether, saying it will instead focus on manufacturing the ‘superior’ and safer photoelectric smoke alarms.

The company said that while both types can detect smoke, photoelectric alarms are more advanced at detecting smoke from smouldering fires, which are most often associated with residential fires and fatalities.

“Smoke alarms are life-saving devices. It’s important for Australians to not only consider upgrading their smoke alarms, but to also know the difference between the products on the market,” said David Gardner, VP of Clipsal and Schneider Electric Partner Business at Schneider Electric.

“As a business, we’ve decided to promote the use of photoelectric smoke alarms in homes to make sure Australians are getting the best protection possible. Smoke alarms also provide a warning of flaming fires, which is a time-critical scenario.

“The importance of smoke alarms cannot be underestimated,” he added.

Every year, Australians die in residential fires or are severely injured as a result of smoke inhalation or fire-related burns. According to Fire and Rescue NSW, almost half of all home fires are started in the kitchen and, of all fire fatalities, 43% occur in winter.

“Heat and smoke from fire can be more dangerous than the flames themselves, with asphyxiation a leading cause of fire-related deaths,” said Gardner. “Many Australian deaths and injuries can be prevented with adequate fire protection, including the presence of photoelectric alarms.”

Under the planned changes to be phased in over 10 years across Queensland, smoke alarms in domestic dwellings must be photoelectric, hardwired or powered by a 10-year lithium battery, installed in bedrooms in addition to living areas and escape paths and connected to other alarms in the house.

New dwellings or properties undergoing substantial renovations will be required to comply from 2017, while from 1 January 2022, dwellings that are sold or leased will need to meet new safety standards. Households will also be required to install a photoelectric smoke alarm any time they are replacing an existing alarm.

Clipsal by Schneider Electric said it is calling all Australians to check their smoke alarms this winter and, where necessary, to replace their current smoke alarm with a photoelectric model.

For more information on photoelectric smoke alarms, click here. 

Image credit: (Top) ©iStockphoto.com/Roger Cotton; (bottom) photoelectric smoke alarm, courtesy Clipsal by Schneider Electric