Post by Miss Honey Nose on Aug 29, 2013 9:02:56 GMT 9.5
hi as most know we have bought another home ,so a query on smoke alarms and where they should be situated
the house only has one alarm ,just outside the main bedroom on the ceiling and even after rining our local brigade I couldnt get a good answer except to look at their web page which really doesnt help a lot
so any advice is much appreciated as I do think more than one alarm is warranted thanks
Most battery-powered smoke alarms can be easily installed by the home owner or a maintenance contractor and do not require professional installation. Hard-wired smoke alarms, however, will need to be installed by a licensed professional.
Always install a smoke alarm in accordance with their instructions. They are usually most effective when located on the ceiling, preferably away from walls and fitings. The best locations are in hallways leading from bedrooms and in sleeping areas.
Since smoke alarms respond to airborne particles other than smoke, it is better not to install them in kitchens, bathrooms, laundries and garages. If possible, avoid areas with strong drafts. Note: If a garage etc is a separate level a smoke alarm must be installed. Take care with installation in these areas.
Location of smoke alarms (minimum requirements)
Where smoke alarms are to be located in a building, and the number required, depends on the building's use (classification), size and layout. The new Regulation sets out what is required, as explained below.
The general principle is that smoke alarms should be positioned to detect smoke before it reaches sleeping occupants. The sound emitted by the alarm is designed to wake occupants, giving them time to evacuate. Houses, villas etc. and relocatable homes (Class 1a)
In Class 1a buildings and relocatable homes, smoke alarms must be installed on every storey. Storeys with bedrooms
In storeys containing bedrooms smoke alarms are to be located on or near the ceiling:
in every corridor or hallway associated with a bedroom, or if there is no corridor or hallway, between the part of the building containing the bedroom and the remainder of the building or home.
Diagram 1 shows where to locate a smoke alarm in a dwelling where bedrooms are grouped together and connected to the living areas by a corridor or hallway.
In those dwellings where the bedrooms are not grouped together or no connecting hallway exists, then smoke alarms should be located as shown in Diagram 2.
Storeys with no bedrooms
A smoke alarm must be installed in storeys not containing bedrooms. In these storeys a smoke alarm should be located in the path of travel people will most likely take to evacuate the building. This will ensure an alarm is sounded before smoke makes the escape route impassable. If the bedrooms are on the first floor, then an alarm should be positioned near the area of the interconnecting stair, as shown in Diagram 3 and 4.
Diagram 3: Two storey dwelling showing smoke alarms in the storey containing bedrooms (first floor) and the storey not containing bedrooms (ground floor)
Diagram 4: Cross section through a dwelling showing smoke alarms in the storey containing bedrooms (top floor) and the storeys not containing bedrooms. Smoke alarms located within area of stairway
Post by Miss Honey Nose on Aug 29, 2013 9:48:31 GMT 9.5
thanks heaps smokey our home has a long passageway which ends at our bedroom ,so as well as where the one is now I might put one further along the passage as the other 3 bedrooms are there the house is split level ,with lounge ,family room and kitchen on the lower level, plus a solid fuel heater in the family room
Our house is probably overkill as it's not that large but they were there when we moved in. The only change we made was to replace the ionising for photo electric in the kitchen.
Post by Miss Honey Nose on Aug 31, 2013 14:05:30 GMT 9.5
thanks smokey it makes me wonder as while living here in this house we seem to be always tired and quite a few of those symptoms in that article sure do fit though we have had out heating etc serviced regularly
we will be installing more smoke alarms and those carbon monoxide alarms too
john has a habit of closing everything up tight so I usually go around opening a small window here and there ,I like air movement
thanks smokey it makes me wonder as while living here in this house we seem to be always tired and quite a few of those symptoms in that article sure do fit though we have had out heating etc serviced regularly
we will be installing more smoke alarms and those carbon monoxide alarms too
john has a habit of closing everything up tight so I usually go around opening a small window here and there ,I like air movement
You must drive the poor bugger crazy............... brickwall
You don't stop riding because you get old, you get old because you stop riding! If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went. When the last tree has been cut down, when the last stream is poisoned, only then will mankind realise that we can not eat money! Some don't understand why I let my dogs sleep on my bed. That's OK, my dogs understand! I'm Larry the Spook and I'm ALMOST NORMAL!
Post by dream4red on Aug 31, 2013 21:31:32 GMT 9.5
Spook, you are almost right. It's in our wifely job description...drive the old man as close to insane as you can without doing any physical or obvious damage. 36_12_6
Deborah
Just get out there on the road as often as you can folks
Post by Miss Honey Nose on Jun 11, 2014 20:50:18 GMT 9.5
well ,its time to buy the carbon monoxide alarm
we did end up getting everything checked but hadnt bought the carbon monoxide one but will be this week
since the coal mine fires here ,we have both been pretty crook and tired all the time as have many people who live in morwell and surrounds ,in our local paper it seems we have all been lied to by various government agencies ,even our firies some knew the carbon monoxide levels were higher than allowed but were told not to say anything to residents ,the epa etc were all in on it
the ash etc we had here in our home was unbelievable will see if I can find the article
All very good advice there rainy, but I can tell you that the best place for the smoke alarm in the caravan.................
is in the bloody drawer whenever we decide to have toast!!!
Yeah I agree with you Gerry, the neighbours always think we are having burnt offerings for meals, the bloody thing is always going off at meal times, yet have a bloody great big camp fire and no alarm, go figure
LIFE IS LIKE A COIN YOU CAN CHOOSE TO SPEND IT ANYWAY YOU WISH BUT YOU CAN ONLY SPEND IT ONCE. MAKE YOUR CHOICES WISELY
Reminder carbon monoxide alarm ..and smoke alarms are 2 seperate things...dont get confused.....carbon monoxide will kill you...smoke alarms wake you to get out of a burning building..we have our carbon monoxide alarm close to the exit door step.in our van
Post by Miss Honey Nose on Jun 12, 2014 20:49:26 GMT 9.5
after reading about them it seems there is no actual standard for australia which is a bit of a worry
all our appliances have been checked and do get regular maintenance ,I also make sure there is plenty of ventilation ,usually much to johns disgust I insist on a window here and there slightly open
This is from Quell for their installation guide seeing as carbon monoxide is slightly lighter than air whereas the lp gas detectors should be installe at a lowpoint.
Where To Install Your Quell CO Alarm The following suggestions are intended to help you with the placement and installation of your Quell CO Alarm. • Place out of the reach of children. Under no circumstance should chil- dren be allowed to handle or install the CO alarm. • Install in a bedroom or hallway located close to the sleeping area. Take special care to verify the alarm can be heard in sleeping areas. • It is recommended that a CO alarm be installed on each level of a multi- level home. • Locate at least [but no closer than] 2 metres away from all fuel burning appliances. • Placing at eye level allows for optimum monitoring of the red and green indicator lights, or, as a guide, 1.5 metres from the floor. • Ensure that all vents of the unit are unobstructed. • Do not install in dead air spaces such as peaks of vaulted ceilings, or gabled roofs. • Do not install in turbulent air from ceiling fans. • Do not place near fresh air vents or close to doors and windows that open to the outside. Keep the CO alarm away from excessively dusty, dirty, or greasy areas such as kitchens, garages and utility rooms. Dust, grease and household chemicals can affect the sensor. Keep out of damp and humid areas such as the bathroom. Avoid spray- ing aerosols near the CO alarm. Do not install in areas where the temperature is below 40˚F (4.4˚C) or hotter than 100˚F (37.8˚C). Do not place behind curtains or furniture. CO must be able to reach the sensor for the unit to accurately detect carbon monoxide. NEVER place the CO alarm flat on a table top or similar surface.
Post by Miss Honey Nose on Jun 13, 2014 16:17:49 GMT 9.5
not sure frank,
once deb gets back to work I might ask her to find out more if she can
thanks tess
I also sent a message to the cfa and asked their opinion , but they suggested contacting energy safe australia,but of course they are closed now for the weekend ,so will ring on monday
we will have both in the van and also the house ,I think somehow I want as many odds on our side as I can ,if I can
I wonder why some of you have a prob with the smoke alarm going off in your van when we cook toast and dont , weird huh??
?