Why Are Smoke Detectors So Important?
Smoke detectors are essential. When you’re fully asleep you are not aroused by smells. House fires can get fatally out of control very quickly. This is why you need smoke detectors. Smoke detectors work by warning of fire with a loud alarm as soon as smoke is detected.
They’re hypersensitive to smoke and we all know how loud and disruptive they can be when they go off when you burn the toast. This is a good thing because having an operational smoke detector could save your life. Smoke detectors are a legal requirement nationally.
Mr Emergency is your one-stop-shop for smoke detector installation, service and repair. We can install interconnected smoke alarms or just a single alarm, whatever you require.
Types of Smoke Alarms
There are two main types of smoke detectors for home use:
- Ionisation smoke alarms: Containing a very small amount of radioactive material, these smoke detectors can essentially ‘smell’ the particles emitted in a fire, which makes them better for detecting fast flames that don’t emit much visible smoke.
- Photoelectric smoke alarms: These smoke detectors can essentially ‘see’ smoke before it bursts into flames by containing a photocell and light beam shining away from the cell. This makes photoelectric alarms more effective for slow-burning or smouldering fires, often characteristic of house fires.
Before you install smoke detectors in your home, you should seek advice on regulations and maintenance requirements. Our team of trusted electricians will ensure you have the correct smoke detector for your home, including the installation of light and vibrating pads to assist the hearing impaired.
Your current detectors may be a bit out of date and need replacing with newer more reliable ones, or you want to add extra units in other rooms for added safety. No matter the reason, Mr Emergency can help. It’s imperative to have your smoke detectors serviced regularly to ensure the safety of your home.
As a homeowner, it is an obligation to ensure smoke detector maintenance is upheld. By law, you should replace your smoke detectors every 10 years and have them serviced regularly, depending on the location and nature of your home.
Mr Emergency only employs highly trained professionals. They keep fresh by undergoing continuous training to ensure they have the most up to date knowledge on codes and fault finding. We test smoke alarms in order to meet the AS 3786 standards for residential devices. We offer same-day service, and at times, can even get to your door within 30 minutes* of your call.
Should Smoke Alarms Be Hardwired?
Smoke alarms are crucial lifesavers in any residence. But the question that often pops up is whether they should be battery-operated or hardwired into your home’s electrical system. The quick answer? Hardwired smoke alarms have several advantages that make them worth considering.
First, hardwired smoke alarms are generally more reliable. Unlike their battery-operated counterparts, you won’t find yourself in a situation where the alarm fails because the battery has died unexpectedly.
That means no middle-of-the-night chirps signalling a low battery, and no false sense of security. Mains powered smoke alarms have a distinct advantage.
Second, many hardwired systems are interconnected. If one alarm detects smoke, all the alarms in the home will sound. This ensures that everyone in the house is alerted, no matter where they are or where the fire starts.
Lastly, while the initial cost might be higher for hardwired alarms, they often come with backup smoke detector batteries. This means they’ll continue working even during power outages, giving you the best of both worlds. It pays to shop for a model with battery backup.
In conclusion, while both types of alarms can provide protection, hardwired smoke alarms offer enhanced reliability and interconnected safety benefits. Always ensure they’re installed by professionals, like the experts at Mr Emergency, and checked regularly to ensure your home’s safety.
Are Photoelectric Smoke Alarms the Best Choice?
When diving into the world of smoke alarms, you’ll quickly realise there’s more than one type out there. One of the most talked-about is the photoelectric smoke alarm. So, is it the best choice for your home?
Photoelectric smoke alarms are especially good at detecting slow-burning, smouldering fires – think of a lit cigarette that falls onto a couch cushion and slowly begins to smoulder. These types of fires produce a lot of smoke before flames become large, and a photoelectric alarm will detect that smoke quickly, giving you more time to escape. Interconnected photoelectric smoke alarms are particularly effective.
On the other hand, there are ionisation smoke alarms which are typically better at picking up fast-flaming fires, like those caused by kitchen grease or flammable liquids. An ionisation smoke alarm will respond quicker to these fires than photoelectric alarms.
However, neither type is perfect for every situation. For optimal protection, many experts recommend using a combination of both photoelectric and ionisation smoke alarms in your home. Some alarms even combine both technologies in one unit!
In conclusion, while photoelectric smoke alarms are excellent for detecting smouldering fires, they aren’t the sole solution. A mix of alarm types ensures you’re protected from various fire scenarios, keeping you and your loved ones safer.
Smoke Alarms Australia
Here at Mr Emergency, we operate across Australia for smoke alarm services. Our technicians are always local. They service all metro areas across Adelaide, Melbourne, Geelong, Sydney, Canberra, Perth, Brisbane and Gold Coast.
What’s more, as your local electrical expert Mr Emergency is familiar with the electrical characteristics of certain styles of housing in your location and as a result can get your electrical issues fixed fast.
It doesn’t matter if your house is old or new, our electricians will inspect your wiring and provide a solution that will ensure a long-term fix.
The fire safety experts at Mr Emergency offer the ultimate in fire protection and understand all there is to know about hardwired and battery powered smoke detectors.
Why Choose Mr Emergency?
Mr Emergency operates 24/7 for your convenience. You can call us at any time and we’ll be there. Our team can be at your door within 30 minutes* of your call.
Mr Emergency is a reputable name within the electrical industry. Whatever you choose, rest assured you’ll be left with a working smoke alarm.
To ensure your complete satisfaction, we offer these great Mr Emergency benefits:
- Fully qualified and licensed electricians who take regular refresher courses
- 12-month warranty on all workmanship, parts and materials (supplied by us)
- Comprehensive public liability insurance
- We always arrive on time
- Upfront fixed-price quotes
- Interest free** payment plans
- Certificates of compliance issued (when required) in line with government standards and regulations
At Mr Emergency, we also provide a full range of electrical services to homes and businesses across the country.
Finance Options** Payment Plans
Here at Mr Emergency, we understand that smoke detectors are essential and that you don’t always have the funds available to pay for the work immediately. That’s why we offer eligible customers a range of finance options** payment plans.
Simply choose a payment plan with one of our providers, Zip or Humm. You get the flexibility of weekly, fortnightly or monthly instalments, depending on your choice of provider. Some plans even accept a $0 deposit, so there’s no upfront cost.
The application process is easy, with most of our customers getting accepted straight away. Our electricians can set you up when at your place and, once you’re approved, they can start work immediately.
You can also pay with cash, cheque, direct transfer or credit card (Visa, Mastercard or American Express). Getting a qualified electrician to your place for a smoke detector service just takes a call to the team at Mr Emergency. We’re your smoke detection specialists and we only install fully compliant smoke alarms.
Mr Emergency Does It All
Here at Mr Emergency, we don’t just do electrical services. We also have expert plumbers, gas fitters and air conditioning specialists on hand to respond to any of your emergencies.
For more information about getting your broken smoke detector fixed right away, contact Mr Emergency today.
