Fire Alarms
Fire alarm systems, such as smoke alarms, are used to alert occupants of a building of a fire. The occupants can then use fire extinguishers and hose reels to extinguish a fire (if small) or can evacuate the building.
South Australian Building regulations typically only require hard wired smoke alarms in dwellings.
As part of your Emergency Plan you require a method to alert occupants of an emergency. Fire & Emergency Services SA recommend the use of interconnected smoke alarms and manual call points for this – ensuring compliance with Work Health and Safety Regulations.
Fire & Emergency Services SA can undertake a FREE review of your site and advise you of appropriate locations for interconnected smoke alarms to ensure that all staff are adequately warned of a fire.
Once installed hard wired smoke alarms should be regularly maintained. The minimum maintenance requirements as documented in South Australian legislation and regulations are:
- 3 monthly check for an audible alarm
- Replacement of batteries as required
- Replacement after 10 years (recommended by the South Australian Metropolitan Fire Service)
The maintenance of smoke alarms can only be undertaken by a competent person. All of the service technicians at Fire & Emergency Services SA are trained in the servicing of smoke alarms and are independently accredited. It is recommended that only companies, such as Fire & Emergency Services SA, that are recognised businesses under the Fire Protection Accreditation Scheme (FPAS) be used to maintain your fire alarm systems.