4 Top Reasons Why You Should Upgrade Your Smoke Alarm to a Photoelectric Solution

If you’re a homeowner who likes to keep up to date with local legislation, then you’ll be well aware that recent years have seen the addition of smoke alarms become mandatory. The current law states that all buildings built after August 1997 should have hard-wired smoke alarm systems. Older buildings are required to have at least battery-powered units installed.

Fortunately, smoke alarm installation is easier than you think. This is especially the case when you outsource the task to your local electrical company. Not only will an expert electrician recommend the best type for your home, but they will also handle the installation process. This will ensure that your home is safe and you’re also adhering to current regulations.

Opting for a Photoelectric Alarm

When it comes to choosing the best smoke alarm for your home or office, you’ll soon find that you have several types to choose from. This will undoubtedly leave you wondering which is the best in terms of accuracy and durability. In most cases, your electrician will recommend a photoelectric smoke alarm.

Essentially, photoelectric smoke alarms are regarded by many experts as the most durable and reliable smoke detectors currently available. This mostly has to do with these units utilising a light source and sensor to allow for early smoke detection.

A huge standout feature of the photoelectric smoke alarm is that it has LED lights on the inside. These are designed to push light away from the sensor when there’s no fire. However, when smoke enters the alarm chamber, the light is scattered, which in turn, reflects onto the sensor, triggering the alarm.

Unlike older, more traditional smoke alarms, the photoelectric versions have been designed to identify smouldering fires no matter how low to the ground they are. This means that these alarms are more likely to pick up potential bin fires caused by cigarettes long before they become larger blazes.

Since these alarms can also detect the difference between steam and smoke, there’s less chance of having to deal with a false alarm caused by excessive shower steam. This has to do with the particle size and density of smoke versus steam.

Every Space Should Have Them

While it’s true that the law only requires buildings built after 1997 to have hardwired alarms, it’s still a good idea to install the best smoke detection system in your home, no matter how old it is. Our team have compiled a list of the top reasons why every residential, commercial, and industrial space will benefit from these innovative alarm systems.

1.      Allows for Quicker Response to Smouldering Fires

The number one reason why photoelectric smoke alarm systems are at the top of every electrician’s recommendation list has to do with their ability to identify smouldering fires before they start blazing. It’s crucial to note that the leading cause of many Australian house fires has been traced back to smouldering fires.

These can often stem from unattended candles, food burning on a stove or in the toaster, and of course, the old cigarette in the bin or dropped by a sleeping smoker. These types of fires are defined as slow burning because they burn low on the ground where they are, and burn everything around them as they gain momentum. If left unattended, they quickly escalate into much larger blazes.

Photoelectric alarms have been designed to detect smoke particles, even in the smouldering stage. This means that you will receive a warning long before the whole room is on fire. Earlier detection allows for faster evacuation.

2.      Highly Compatible With Modern Smart Systems

If you’ve moved into a modern home or you’re in the process of converting your home to include more smart features, then it stands to reason that you’d want all your security and safety systems to be compatible with each other. The good news is that photoelectric systems can easily be integrated into every type of smart system, allowing you to monitor your home from your mobile device.

3.      Considerably Less False Alarms

Some homeowners shy away from smoke alarms because older types had a reputation for “going off for everything, even toast”. Unlike the older ionisation models, photoelectric versions are well-known for being more accurate, making them significantly more reliable.

With their ability to identify the difference in cooking particles, steam, and smoke, the likelihood of the alarm being triggered by everything in your home is drastically reduced. You will also have the assurance that you aren’t constantly being upended by false alarms or that false notifications are draining your battery.

4.      Less Maintenance Required

Another huge plus is that photoelectric alarms don’t require the cleaning and maintenance associated with older ionisation models. Maintenance involves ensuring that your unit has a strong and durable battery. It’s that simple.

Final Thoughts

Inspecting and replacing older smoke alarms should form part of every property owner’s seasonal maintenance checklist. You should also consider upgrading your alarms to modern, more effective photoelectric versions. With these models, you can look forward to earlier detection, durability, and peace of mind that your home has an extra level of safety against potential fires.