Interconnected Smoke Alarms - Australian

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1

Hi All,

Looking to upgrade our home for the new Australian/Queensland smoke alarm regulations to have interconnected smoke alarms in each bedroom etc.

What i would like to know before i purchasing anything, is does anyone know how any particular brand/type signals the adjacent alarms? Reason is i would like to use this signal to trigger a home alarm/automation system to let me know if an alarm is triggered whilst i am not at home.

I know i can get a zwave alarm, but i would like to try and utilise what i will already be getting by maybe throwing a fibaro universal sensor on the end of the line and setting it as a smoke alarm.

Cheers,
Josh

2

Josh, need more information on the Alarm type that is going to be used.
Without knowing if there is a output available I’d be [font=verdana]totally guessing. Do you have spec’s etc?[/font]

[font=verdana]However, thinking out aloud (bad habit), you possibly have two options, if you can get an output to drive a binary sensor then you’re thoughts are in the right direction otherwise if you can only get a signal then look at a ZUNO or Arduino solution. [/font]

An alarm in every room is an overkill, but regulations are regulations, I’m guessing they are not going to be retrospective and only applicable to new builds.

3

Hi Zedrally,

Currently i havent purchased any smoke alarms. I was probing if anyone has had any experience with the interconnected type using their signal in zwave or a home alarm system.

The new regs are currently only in queensland, but i would imagine they are going to go AU wide. All new homes or major renos must now be compliant and there is a grace period of 5 years for all other homes. So eventually everyone in Qld will be required to have them.

Cheers,
JB

4

It doesn’t look like there is one standard for wired interconnection of smoke detectors. Each manufacturer seems to use a different voltage and current, and the values aren’t published on their spec sheets.

But manufacturers already seem to have foreseen this problem, and have off-the-shelf parts that will do what you want. I did some googling: Clipsal makes a smoke detector with a built-in relay. They also make an interconnect-to-relay adapter without a built-in smoke detector. If you already have (or prefer to install) a different brand perhaps they have equivalent parts.

5

^^^
That’s the solution if you are buying new. Nice find, I’ll file that one away in the back of my head.

6

[quote=“futzle, post:4, topic:196966”]It doesn’t look like there is one standard for wired interconnection of smoke detectors. Each manufacturer seems to use a different voltage and current, and the values aren’t published on their spec sheets.

But manufacturers already seem to have foreseen this problem, and have off-the-shelf parts that will do what you want. I did some googling: Clipsal makes a smoke detector with a built-in relay. They also make an interconnect-to-relay adapter without a built-in smoke detector. If you already have (or prefer to install) a different brand perhaps they have equivalent parts.[/quote]

Hi Futzle,

I literally just got the same idea from whirlpool.

He linked to this device from clipsal;

http://www.clipsal.com/Trade/Products/ProductDetail?CatNo=755RB

Going from here, which zwave sensor would be best suited to connect to this. Could i use a fibaro binary sensor and set it as a smoke alarm in Vera?

Regards,
JB

7

Most smoke alarms are interconnected by wiring so the devices have to be compatible. If you stick with one manufacturer, they should work together pretty easily. Some use wireless interconnectivity but I have not researched those.

If you are looking to connect them to Vera, I suggest using at least device with z-wave. I would think when 1 alarm goes off, it will trigger the z-wave alarm and you can get notifications. I think you can get them all z-wave and interconnect them all that way.

This is all US experience. I would hope it would be similar down under.

8

Nest protect smoke alarms interconnect wirelessly. Not sure if that would suit for your application. There is a WWN plugin for Vera too.

9

I have interconnected alarms via a third red wire that connects all.

When one trips it adds 5v on the red wire and trips the rest. I have a relay that is tripped as well and triggers the alarm. I also have a relay that I can manually inject 5v on the red wire and cause all others to alert.

10

Putting a z-wave relay on my smokes is on my to do list, as well as placing a z-wave heat detector in my garage.

I know someone who had a smoldering fire in his garage and when it finally let loose, he (the fire department) got on top of the fire quick enough to save the house. His concern was being asleep in the middle of the night when it let loose and having his bed fall into the garage before his smoke alarms sounded. The heat detector would sound the smoke alarm early enough in that scenario. He ended up adding that heat detector in the garage and wiring it to the smoke alarms.

11

Probably. It may be a struggle to change the sensor subtype from motion to smoke, depending on your version of Vera firmware. But all the subtype does is change the icon; it won’t affect the functionality.

Me, I’ll be just wiring it to my security system as a zone, and letting the Vera alarm panel plugin pick up the smoke detector like any other zone.

(Hello, Americans who chipped into the thread with entertaining posts exposing comically optimistic assumptions about what consumer products are available in Australia. We all got a good chuckle, once we saw your posts via our crummy Internet connections.)

12

Don’t forget to also wire in Motion Detectors.
A wired solution for a new build or major reno is really the only way to go.

13

Gold! ;D

returns to complaining about 5mb ADSL service when neighbours have 100MB FTTH and possibility of getting on the NBN sometime in 2019

14

There is standard as if you look at the details in the link below, for Nest it states
Certifications:

  • Australian Standard (AS) 3786:2014, Certificate No: SMK40713
  • EN-14604 ? Smoke alarm devices
  • EN-50291 ? Electrical apparatus for the detection of carbon monoxide in domestic premises

Disclaimer:
Voice messages do not comply with AS 3786:2014, Section 4.21
When Interconnected, visual indicators do not comply with the requirement of AS 3786:2014.

I have to replace mine in Melbourne and Brisbane in the next year, so I have only just started looking.

15

Below is an extract from an email I received when the legislation was introduced in QLD which was from a recommended industry provider.

You may not have heard the news that the QLD Government has passed some updated changes to how we manage smoke alarms in this state. The recommendations have been based on recent house fires in Queensland.

I have below outlined the media brief from Smoke Alarm Solutions and we will keep you posted with information has it comes to hand.

New Smoke Alarm Legislation Passed in Queensland

Legislation was passed in Queensland Parliament on the 31st of August, 2016, meaning households in the ?Sunshine State? are set to become the most fire safe in the nation. This legislation has eventuated as a result of the recommendations handed down following the tragic 2011 Slacks Creek house fire. A move that is welcomed by Smoke Alarm Solutions.

In August 2014, the coroner appointed to this highly publicised inquest suggested that all Queensland homes have interconnected photoelectric smoke alarms installed in all bedrooms and that they be hardwired into the mains power. The coroner suggested that legislation be put in place as soon as possible in order to avoid further large-scale loss of life in domestic house fires.

As the experts in the industry, Smoke Alarm Solutions will be updating all clients about any implications as soon as they come to hand however the proposed rollout plan for legislation will allow ample time for everyone to comply with new legislation.

Below is the most recent Media Statement provided by Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services and Minister for Corrective Services, The Honourable Bill Byrne on Wednesday, August 31, 2016. Please continue to check our social media channels and website for further updates. Visit our T&Cs smokealarmsolutions.com.au

Queensland becomes national leader in smoke alarm legislation

Queensland households will be the safest in the country after new smoke alarm legislation was passed in Parliament today. Fire and Emergency Services Minister Bill Byrne said the legislation followed recommendations handed down after the 2011 Slacks Creek fatal house fire.

?The absolute tragedy we saw at Slacks Creek where 11 people died is an incident we never want repeated and this legislation ensures people will be alerted to house fires as early as possible,? Minister Byrne said.

The legislation specifies that every Queensland residence will need to be fitted with photoelectric, interconnected smoke alarms in all bedrooms, as well as hallways of residences.

?By having the alarms interconnected, it won?t matter which part of a house a fire might start in, the alarm closest to you will sound and if you are asleep, an alarm will sound in your room, even if the area is closed off to the rest of the house,? Minister Byrne said.

?Research shows that photoelectric, interconnected smoke alarms are the most effective on the market for alerting people to fires early.

?I am proud Queensland is now the national leader on this issue, making sure we are doing all we can to keep residents safe.?

Minister Byrne said a 10-year phased rollout of the legislation would allow ample time for everyone to have their alarms installed correctly.

?Hard-wired, interconnected photoelectric smoke alarms will require a qualified electrician to conduct the installation and ensure the alarms are working as they should be,? he said.

?There is an option to install photoelectric alarms with a 10-year lithium battery that have the capability to achieve interconnectedness wirelessly between alarms. This option may be more suitable for Queenslanders living in remote areas where attendance of an electrician could be difficult.?

All houses being built or significantly renovated will need to comply with the smoke alarm legislation upon completion after January 1, 2017. All houses leased or sold will need to meet compliance after five years and all owner-occupied private dwellings will need to comply with the legislation within 10 years.

Any smoke alarm being replaced after January 1, 2017 must be a photoelectric alarm.

Minister Byrne said although some residents would have up to 10 years to install the alarms, everyone should take action to update their alarm system as soon as possible.

?This technology is proven to save lives and the sooner it is in every Queensland home, the safer we?ll be,? he said.

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) worked closely with the Palaszczuk Government to develop the legislation and Commissioner Katarina Carroll welcomed today?s announcement.

?This legislation is the strongest of its kind in the country,? she said.

?QFES has long recommended photoelectric, interconnected smoke alarms to be hard-wired into homes and the decision to mandate this is to be applauded.

?As Queenslanders make the change and update their smoke alarm system, we are also encouraging everyone to review their fire escape plans.

?When an alarm sounds, you need to know what you will do. Every household should have a fire escape plan and every person should know their role in that plan.

?You may have as little as 15 seconds to enact your fire escape plan, so make sure you sit down with everyone in your household and discuss your escape plan.

?Once you?ve had the discussion make sure you practice your plan. With a well-practised fire escape plan, you?ll stand a better chance of avoiding panic and getting everyone to safety during a house fire.?

QFES has a free Safehome program where Queenslanders can request a visit from local firefighters who will advise them of the best locations for smoke alarms and suggest other fire safety initiatives around the home. To request a Safehome visit call 13QGOV.

Source: Queensland becomes national leader in smoke alarm legislation - Ministerial Media Statements

When we know more we will pass this information on to you. As much as it states we have 5 years to meet standards, best practice would be to consider these changes sooner than later and understand that if you alarm needs to be replaced it must meet the new compliance.

16

This has been in the International Residential Code since, I think, 2000. Many folks have lost their lives leaving to these code changes. I applaud Queensland in enacting this requirement.

17

In short, QLD now requires photoelectric only smoke alarms. Ionisation will no longer be applicable.

They will also need to be interconnected either wired or wirelessly so that when one triggers, so do the others. Having an external alarm or anything else trigger is not acceptable.

Cheers,
Josh

18

In Ohio, both technologies are required on each level of a home, photoelectric outside the sleeping rooms, and either technology in the sleeping room. Most folks are installing dual technology detectors. My main one in the living room is photoelectric, ionization, and CO.