Why buy our smoke alarms?

G’day!  My name is Christian from ZEN Smoke Alarms.

When you call 0478 596 402 you will always be speaking with me – a smoke alarm expert that is knowledgeable, friendly, and who genuinely wants to help you!

ZEN smoke alarms are perfect for home owners, landlords and property sellers who need a stress-free and affordable smoke alarm solution. It is these qualities which has seen ZEN Smoke Alarms become Australia’s most popular and trusted online smoke alarm retailer.

But don’t just take my word for it, our reputation speaks for itself! See what others are saying with over 140 Google 5-star reviews attesting to the reliability of our products and the exceptional customer service we provide.

Key features of our wireless interconnected photoelectric smoke alarms

What are wireless interconnected photoelectric smoke alarms?

There are two parts to this question – the first is answering what does ‘interconnected‘ mean and the second is answering what does ‘photoelectric‘ mean?

‘Interconnected‘ simply means that our smoke alarms can be wirelessly paired together so that they are all linked within the same ‘network’ (without the need to physically install cables or hard wiring). When one alarm detects smoke within a building, then all smoke alarms wirelessly paired together within the same network will also initiate their audible alarm. The advantages of interconnected smoke alarms are that they can provide an increased early warning for occupants, particularly in multi-storey and/or multi-bedroom dwellings.

Older conventional smoke alarms typically operate as single unit, stand-alone devices. If a conventional smoke alarm sensed smoke on the ground floor of a building, it may activate, but any other smoke alarms on upper floors would not activate until smoke had physically entered their same air space – by this time it could be too late to initiate an effective emergency response as the fire has also spread to the upper floor.

Interconnected smoke alarms are linked/paired together using Radio Frequency (RF) technology so do not need a home WiFi internet connection. The range for interconnection is 25 metres making it ideal for residential homes, apartments and units.

‘Photoelectric‘ refers to the method of smoke detection and uses light to detect smoke particles. A Light Emitting Diode (LED) within the smoke alarm detects the presence of smoke particles by scattering the light beam causing a light sensitive sensor within the alarm to activate.

Older conventional smoke alarms use radioactive ionization as the process by which they detect smoke particles. Ionization smoke alarms are less adept at detecting smoke from smouldering flames which is common of most house fires.

If you are unsure what type of smoke alarm you have – take a look on the back of it. If it has the tri-foil radioactive symbol like this image below it means you have an ionization smoke alarm and should consider replacing it with the photoelectric type as soon as possible.

Because our smoke alarms use photoelectric technology they are more adept at detecting smoke in the early smouldering stage. For this reason photoelectric smoke alarms are the preferred type of alarm as ionization smoke alarms are being phased out nationwide.

Our wireless interconnected photoelectric smoke alarms are also powered by a long life 10-year lithium ion battery. The battery is sealed inside the unit and is non-replaceable. At the end of the 10-year battery life span, the entire smoke alarm is replaced for a new one.

Older conventional smoke alarms are often powered by a 9v replaceable battery. When the battery life becomes low the smoke alarm initiates a loud periodic ‘chirp’ which continues until the battery is replaced. As seen in the past with tragic consequences, people can deliberately remove the battery to silence the annoying ‘chirp’ sound – this disables the alarm and renders it useless for smoke detection.

How do wireless interconnected smoke alarms work?

Wireless interconnected photoelectric smoke alarms work by using a radio frequency signal to communicate, this eliminates the need to run hard wiring between each alarm.

Simply put, when one alarm detects smoke, it will wirelessly ‘talk’ to all other alarms within the same network using the RF signal, so that all activate simultaneously (usually within 10 seconds of the initial detection). Interconnected smoke alarms can increase the early warning and response time for occupants, particularly in multi-story dwellings.

Our smoke alarms are not affected by other household RF devices (for example, wireless smoke alarms in adjoining properties) as the technology is purposely designed to eliminate any such interference during the unique network pairing process.

TV or A/C remote controls do not interfere with our alarms either as these items use different technology (infrared instead of radio frequency).

How do I install wireless interconnected smoke alarms?

This will explain how to physically install your smoke alarms to the ceiling.

One benefit from using wireless interconnected battery powered smoke alarms is that you can install them yourself without the need for an electrician or other tradesperson.

Our smoke alarms can be installed by using the anchor and screws supplied with the alarm:

Note: Before installing any smoke alarms please review the ‘RECOMMENDED PLACEMENT’ section for guidance.

HOW TO INSTALL:

STEP 1: Gently twist the mounting bracket to remove it from the back of the alarm.

STEP 2: Locate the mounting bracket in your chosen position on the ceiling. Use a pencil to mark the location of the two mounting bracket slots on the ceiling.

STEP 3: Use a 5mm drill bit to drill a pilot hole at each location marked on the ceiling. Now insert the anchor plugs and use the two screws to attach the mounting bracket to the chosen position. Don’t over-tighten the screws as this may distort the mounting bracket.

STEP 4: Attach the smoke alarm to the mounting bracket and turn clockwise to lock it into place. Test the smoke alarm by pressing the dual test / hush button.

How do I know if my wireless smoke alarms are interconnected?

It is almost impossible to tell if smoke alarms are interconnected just by looking at them. The best way to ascertain if your smoke alarms are interconnected is by testing them! Our alarms come with a dual test / hush button to make this easy.

Simply press the button to test your alarm – if all alarms within the same network activate then it means they are successfully interconnected. Alternatively, just press the test button on the optional remote control device. Note when testing alarms it may take up to 10 seconds for all alarms to activate – this is normal.

For more information on interconnecting / pairing your smoke alarms please go here: Setup & Install

Can different brands of smoke detectors be interconnected?

No. We do not recommend attempting to interconnect different brands of smoke detectors onto the same network. The set-up and pairing process is different for each smoke alarm brand and this could introduce communication issues when establishing the network. Whilst some smoke alarm brands may share a common radio frequency, the bandwidth will always vary which may cause functionality issues, or simply not work at all.

As with any life saving appliance, adhere to the manufacturer’s recommendations and don’t try to interconnect different brands of smoke alarms onto the same network.

Please see the bottom of our home page for more Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ).

Where should these smoke alarms be placed?

The Queensland Building Fire Safety Regulation 2008 includes specific requirements about the number of wireless interconnected photoelectric smoke alarms and their placement within a dwelling. 

To make things simple we have summarised the legal requirements in easy-to-read language on this website. No confusing legal jargon here!

Legislative requirements for wireless smoke alarm placement also exist in other Australian states, although Queensland could be considered as ‘best practice’ because it currently has the most stringent smoke alarm legislation within Australia.

Queensland law states that smoke alarms must be placed at the following locations;

Wireless interconnected photoelectric smoke alarms must be installed on each storey:

1. In each bedroom; and,
2. In hallways which connect bedrooms and the rest of the dwelling; or
3. If there is no hallway, between the bedrooms and other parts of the storey; and
4. If there are no bedrooms on a storey at least one smoke alarm must be installed in the most likely path of travel to exit the dwelling.

Additionally, the legislation states;

Where practicable smoke alarms must be placed on the ceiling. Smoke alarms must not be placed:

1. Within 300mm of a corner of a ceiling and a wall,
2. Within 300mm of a light fitting,
3. Within 400mm of an air-conditioning vent,
4. Within 400mm of the blades of a ceiling fan.

There are special requirements for stairways, sloping ceilings, and ceilings with exposed beams. Specific requirements are further explained in the Building Fire Safety Regulation 2008.

The example floorplan below was developed by the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services and depicts required smoke alarm locations within a building.