When it comes to protecting your home and family, choosing the right smoke alarm is key. One of the most effective solutions on the market today is the interconnected smoke detector, particularly those with photoelectric technology. But why is this type of smoke detector so important, and how can correct Australian Standard Certification (the red ‘5-ticks’ logo) give you the confidence you need in your purchase? Read on to find out!
What Is An Interconnected Smoke Detector?
An interconnected smoke detector is designed to link multiple alarms throughout your home. When one alarm detects smoke, it automatically triggers all the alarms in the network using a radio frequency (RF) signal. This means that whether you’re asleep in the bedroom upstairs or watching TV in the living room downstairs, you’ll be alerted to danger, no matter where the fire starts. For families with large homes or multi-level houses (or with teenagers with headphones on), having interconnected smoke detectors offers an added layer of protection, ensuring no part of the home is left vulnerable.
Why Photoelectric Smoke Detector Technology Matters
Photoelectric smoke detectors are renowned for their ability to detect slow, smouldering fires—common in home settings. These fires often produce significant amounts of smoke before erupting into visible flames, making early detection critical – once active flame state is achieved, a fire can engulf a modern home in a matter of minutes. Unlike older ionisation alarms, photoelectric models are highly sensitive to smoke from smouldering materials such as furniture or electrical wiring.
Australian Standard Red ‘5-Ticks’ Certification
Beware – not all interconnected smoke detectors are created equal. Did you know that smoke alarm manufacturers have a choice of certification agencies to certify their smoke detector? Some certification agencies such as Intertek SAI Global are well known and established – you will see their red Australian Standard logo (commonly known as the ‘StandardsMark’ or red ‘5-ticks logo’) not only on smoke alarms, but on a variety of Australian certified products. This certification is your assurance that the smoke detector has been rigorously assessed to meet Australian Standard AS 3786:2014. As part of the assurance process, Intertek SAI Global send an independent audit team to the smoke detector manufacturing facility every year to inspect and verify the manufacturing and testing process. A report is produced and any non-conformances are immediately identified and rectified – this ongoing process ensures safety and quality standards are maintained indefinitely.
How do you know if the smoke alarm manufacturer is genuine and legally authorised to use the red logo above? Simple – look them up! You can see the license number above ‘SMK41401’. This license number is unique to the manufacturer’s certificate and can be searched on the Intertek SAI Global database. Check it out here. The database applies not only to smoke detectors, but to any Australian Standard Certified product!
However, another choice for smoke detector manufacturers is to certify their product using an offshore certification agency which is cheaper and less well known. Surprisingly, the Australian Standard verification process for these cheaper certification agencies does not require visiting and auditing the manufacturing facility at all! Rather, the cheaper certification agency will perform a once-only desk top review of paperwork such as a smoke detector test report, and then confirm the product is Australian Standard certified based on this evidence alone. Note that whilst these cheaper certification agencies may say the product is Australian Standard certified and produce their own ‘certificate’ to attest to this, they do not have permission to use the Australian Standard red ‘5-ticks logo’ of which we are all familiar – always look for the Australian Standard red ‘5-ticks logo’ as this is your genuine symbol of quality, and trust.
By choosing an interconnected smoke detector with the Australian Standard red ‘5-ticks logo’, like those from ZEN Smoke Alarms, you’re investing in a product that’s been tested for quality, reliability, durability, and overall performance year after year.
Invest In ZEN Interconnected Smoke Detectors
For Trusted Total Protection
When it comes to safeguarding your home, an interconnected smoke detector offers unparalleled safety by ensuring that every corner of your house is covered. Choose ZEN Smoke Alarms for certified quality and the peace of mind that comes with the trusted Australian Standard red ‘5-ticks logo’.
Protect your home and family with a system that’s proven to work – when you need it most.
Want to know more? Watch our ZEN quick start video or call us on 0478 596 402 today
We love talking smoke alarms!
ZEN Interconnected Smoke Alarms
New Farm, QLD, 4005
