Questions and Answers

Why have a smoke alarm? They save lives and our most valued possessions. They offer early detection and warning. When you are asleep you have no sense of smell.  Which ones do I put where? The NZ Fire service suggests: 'For optimum smoke detection, long life photoelectric smoke alarms should be installed in every bedroom, living area and hallway in the house - on every level. However, this is not always practical. That's why they suggest, at an absolute minimum, that a long life photoelectric smoke alarm should be installed in the hallway closest to the bedrooms. This should be supplemented with other alarms as soon as circumstances permit.' To see the full article click here. The wider fire prevention community strongly recommends that both ionisation and photoelectric smoke alarms be installed to help insure maximum detection of the various types of fires that can occur within the home. Ionisation models are best suited for rooms that contain highly combustible materials that can create flaming fires. These types of materials include flammable liquids, newspapers, and paint cleaning solutions. Photoelectric models are best suited for living rooms, bedrooms and kitchens. This is because these rooms often contain large pieces of furniture, such as sofas, chairs, mattresses, counter tops, etc. which will burn slowly and create more smouldering smoke than flames. See YouTube video on test showing which detectors work best where   Reducing nuisance alarms Don’t remove the batteries! Installing a photoelectric smoke alarm instead of an ionization smoke alarm is one approach to reducing nuisance alarms. Other factors to consider are the location of the existing alarm or replacing it with a unit that has a hush feature. The PSA Lifesaver range offers a test & hush button accessory plate which can be located on the wall for easy access. NZ Fire Service charges for false alarms The charges are aimed at recovering some of the costs of the Fire Service response given, and should not be considered a fine. They are also to act as an incentive to reduce false alarms simply by the incurred costs. Smoke alarms don’t last forever They lose 3% of effectiveness per year and should be replaced every 10 years. Click here to learn more New building regulations New build regulations require smoke detectors to be installed in all new homes. The building code, which was amended in April 2003, requires that "appropriate means of detection and warning of fire must be provided within each household unit". The new requirement does not apply to existing homes. However, the regulations require the installation of smoke alarms when a building undergoes an alteration or change of use to become a home, or when an alteration that requires a building consent is made to an existing home. The building codes answer to Where do the alarms have to be located? Is: Smoke alarms should be located on escape routes on all levels of the household unit. On levels containing sleeping spaces, the smoke alarms should be located either: a) In every sleeping space, or b) Within 3 meters of every sleeping space door. In this case the smoke alarms must be able to be heard by sleeping occupants on the other side of the closed doors.

Why not use a $15 smoke alarm? It's simple, batteries go flat & despite all good intentions, they don’t get replaced. It's easy for the homeowner or landlord to forget to check batteries and cheaper versions don’t detect some types of fire. Cheap is cheap so will they last? Do they use cheap components? Are they as good? How valuable is your family's safety? It’s worth paying more to get 240V smoke alarms with LED power indicators installed so you know they are operating when you need them. The Lifesaver smoke alarms can be interlinked so if one alarm goes off, they all go off. The single activation triggers all the interlinked alarms so there is no danger of not hearing an alarm going off. The 'first' alarm feature uses an LED light to indicate which smoke alarm activated the system. What are the different detection types? There are two types of smoke detectors; Ionisation smoke alarms detect fast flaming fire; Photoelectric smoke alarms are better at detecting slow, smouldering fires. What is the ideal smoke alarm to get? The simple answer is both; fires develop in different ways and are often unpredictable. Enhanced fire safety and peace of mind can only be achieved by installing both types of detector. Are you testing your fire alarm correctly? Did you know that if you use the test button on your fire alarm you are only testing the battery and the electronics? To test the unit is functioning you must use smoke and you must NOT use a cigarette or other forms of real smoke as these may leave a film or contaminate the sensor. To test the alarm without damaging the sensors use 'smoke in a can' type products, which are avilable in our Lifesaver range. Why Lifesaver smoke alarms Lifesaver has been protecting Australian families and households for over 25 years. Recently launching the most innovative and technically advanced range of smoke alarms ever released into the Australian market, the new 5 Series. The new 5 Series smoke alarms were designed in conjunction with electrical contractors to ensure they provide the most efficient and flexible fit and installation. 5 Series smoke alarms range features Australian design and patented Easier and quicker to fit and install with a hinge-less surface mount base plate and extra large cable terminals Multiple fixing holes to suit junction boxes and a knock out for conduit entry Suitable for ceiling or wall mount Extra large Test & Hush button for easy testing. Designed for easy reach with broom handle Australia’s first alarm LED memory latch for 5 minutes after alarm to indicate “first to alarm” smoke alarm 4th terminal (9V) allows operation with fire indication panel to form part of an early warning indicator system 240V AC with 9V battery backup The Range Lifesaver 5000 Ionisation smoke alarm 240V AC with 9V battery backup Sensitive to fast flaming type fires First alarm LED memory latch to indicate “first to alarm” smoke alarm LIFESAVER 5800 Photoelectric smoke alarm Sensitive to slow smouldering fires 240V AC with 9V battery backup Insect screen over smoke sensing chamber to reduce nuisance alarm LIFESAVER 5800RL Photoelectric smoke alarm with fixed lithium rechargeable battery  Sensitive to slow smouldering fires 240V AC with rechargeable lithium battery Insect screen over smoke sensing chamber to reduce nuisance alarm All models are compatible with: All PSA Lifesaver range of smoke alarms, heat alarm, strobe light and auxiliary devices. Where do I get them & how do I get one installed? The Lifesaver range is distributed in NZ by Globelink, a list of trained installers is being complied. Go to www.Globelink.co.nz/Smokealarms and click on the buy now button to register you interest. We’ll put a Lifesaver trained electrician in contact with you to get a quote specific to your needs. Average installation cost for three 240v detectors is $299 inc GST.