Smoke alarms are a lifesaving device in the home, and with new legislation, they’re vital in every home. In fact, legislative requirements stipulate that all homeowners must install interconnected photoelectric smoke alarms in every bedroom and in hallways on every level by 2027. This is not just a necessity, interconnected smoke alarms come with so many benefits over individual alarms. Here’s a look at why you should be installing these sooner rather than later!

What is an interconnected smoke alarm system?

An interconnected smoke alarm system communicates so that if one smoke alarm is activated, then all the smoke alarms in your home will go off to encourage everyone in the home to get out in time. The interconnected system is hard-wired together, sharing a single power source. You can even opt for wireless interconnected smoke alarms that don’t require a physical connection, with the photoelectric variety more responsive to smouldering fires and dense smoke.

What are the benefits of interconnected smoke alarms?

There are so many reasons that interconnected smoke alarms are the preferred choice when it comes to home safety. Here’s an overview of some of the most important points.  

  1. Multiple room smoke detections

    With individual smoke alarms that are installed separately, smoke detected in one room will only set off the alarm in that room. The obvious problem with this situation is that people in the rest of the house will not necessarily realise there is a problem, delaying the life-saving evacuation. In some cases, when a fire starts in a room with a closed door, the hallway alarms don’t activate. Children who are sleeping will often not hear a smoke alarm go off at all.
    Considering that in modern home designs there is only a three-minute window to evacuate safely, interconnected smoke alarms with early warnings are your best bet. One alarm will activate all the alarms for complete coverage in the event of an emergency.

  2. Reliability

    Another drawback for the individual alarm systems is the fact that they could be faulty, in which case a fire could go completely undetected if the alarm in that room isn’t operational. An interconnected smoke alarm system will sound the alarm even if one of the detectors fails to do so, making it a much more reliable warning system.

  3. Mobile monitoring

    With the new wireless interconnected smoke alarm systems, it doesn’t matter where you are, you will know if there is an emergency at the home. This is because the alarm system is directly accessible through a mobile app or web-based platform, allowing you to control and monitor the system from anywhere in the world. This ensures maximum protection for your family and your belongings.

  4. Reduction in false alarms

    Another element of interconnected smoke alarm system reliability is the fact that they aren’t triggered by cooking smoke and steam – as you will find with individual units. Although false alarms are not life-threatening, they can be extremely stressful and disruptive to your daily life, and also make it less likely that you will act swiftly in the case of a real fire. The interconnected system will only be triggered when both units detect a problem, creating a failsafe.

  5. Energy savings

    Because your interconnected smoke alarm systems aren’t constantly being triggered for false alarms, these systems are using a lot less power. Considering the need for increased energy savings in the modern era, this makes them a worthwhile long-term investment.

  6. Simple installation

    Individual units will have to be wired separately, making them a very timely and costly undertaking. With the interconnected fire and smoke alarm systems, all the necessary hardware and wiring are readily available and they can be installed quickly. With wireless units, it’s an even quicker undertaking. It is important that, if you don’t have the necessary skills or experience, that you have professionals perform the installation to ensure it’s done to code.

  7. Faster response time

    Another massive advantage of the interconnected smoke alarm system is that they ensure much faster response times in the case of a fire. With individual units, it can take minutes between the fire starting and the alarm sounding, and when every second counts in the case of a fire, this is valuable time lost. Install the best system to keep your family as safe as possible.

  8. Easier battery replacement

    Finally, if you have a battery-operated alarm system, then interconnected is much easier than individual smoke detectors. Al the detectors in the system will beep once it’s time to replace the lithium batteries. This means that you won’t need to keep checking each individual unit separately, but rather replace all the batteries at once.

It’s vital that you take home fire safety seriously by choosing the best type of smoke alarm system available. – Photoelectric Smoke Alarms provide high-quality, wireless photoelectric smoke alarms that use radio frequency (RF) signals to interconnect, allowing for optimal safety and response time in the case of fire. They stock several of the top Australian brands, such as Emerald Planet (Sydney) and RED Smoke Alarms (Brisbane). They even stock smoke alarm systems that are ideal for the DIY market, meaning that you are able to install the interconnected alarm system yourself if preferred.