Tag: ZEN smoke alarms

When it comes to home safety, there’s one unsung hero that deserves more recognition: the interconnected fire alarm. These devices have revolutionized fire safety, providing protection that’s not just smarter, but also faster and more reliable. Whether you’re a homeowner, a landlord, or just someone who values safety, understanding the benefits of interconnected smoke detectors is vital, especially in the state of Queensland with new legislation mandating interconnected smoke detectors in ALL dwellings by 2027.

Don’t forget to read the interconnected smoke detectors FAQ list at the conclusion of this article – we provide answers to the most common interconnected fire alarm questions!

Why Do Interconnected Smoke Detectors Matter?


Imagine a fire starting in a remote part of your home, like the garage or a downstairs laundry, whilst you are fast asleep upstairs in the second floor bedroom. Speed is everything in a fire emergency – a fire can double in size every 30 seconds, so every second counts. Without interconnected smoke detectors, you might not hear the alert until the fire has spread significantly. Interconnected smoke detectors are linked so that when one detects smoke, they all sound the alarm simultaneously – you’re not relying on just one device to protect your entire household. This interconnected fire alarm system ensures that no matter where the fire starts, everyone is alerted immediately – it provides occupants with a crucial time advantage to either escape or respond to the fire situation

Interconnected Smoke Detectors –

A Legal And Sensible Choice


Interconnected smoke detectors are strongly recommended by every state fire department within Australia. Queensland, however, is the first state to make interconnected smoke detectors not only a ‘recommendation’ – but a compulsory legal requirement for ALL home types and situations. Queensland’s strict new fire safety laws make it mandatory for all homes to have interconnected smoke alarms by 2027, but this isn’t just a legal hoop to jump through – it’s about ensuring the best possible protection for your family. The early detection and widespread alert provided by interconnected fire alarm systems have been proven to save lives, particularly in multi-level homes or properties with hard-to-hear areas like granny flats or detached garages.

Interconnected Smoke Detectors Are

Easy To Install And Easy To Maintain


You might think that installing a network of interconnected smoke detectors sounds complicated, but modern technology has made it easier than ever. Interconnected smoke detectors can be wireless, meaning you don’t have to deal with complicated electrical wiring, invasive installation procedures or major renovations to meet the new standards. Wirelessly interconnected battery-operated models offer a simple DIY solution for older homes or rental properties. ZEN Interconnected Smoke Alarms are designed to be straight-forward and low maintenance, with long-lasting 10-year batteries and an optional remote control for easy smoke alarm testing and silencing. ZEN smoke alarm bundle packs (5 / 7 / 10 packs) will even arrive to you already wirelessly interconnected together – it’s one less thing you have to do after you receive them and makes smoke alarm installation even easier. How good is that!

ZEN Smoke Alarm bundle packs arrive to you already interconnected – we do the hard part for you!

ZEN Interconnected Smoke Detectors Offer Peace Of Mind

At the end of the day perhaps the biggest benefit of installing interconnected smoke detectors is the peace of mind they offer. Knowing that your home is equipped with the best possible early warning system allows you to sleep easier, live more comfortably, and enjoy your home with the confidence that you’ve taken the right steps to protect what matters most – your loved ones.

So, if you haven’t already made the switch, now is the time. It’s not just about compliance—it’s about making sure your home is as safe as it can be.

Interconnected Smoke Detectors – Common Questions

Below are answers to some of the most commonly asked interconnected fire alarm questions. Read on!

Do interconnected smoke detectors need to be hardwired?

No they don’t. ‘Hardwired’ refers to how a smoke alarm receives its power and not the method for interconnecting the smoke alarm (i.e. 240V hardwired vs 10 year battery powered). Australia’s National Construction Code and state legislation do not prescribe how a smoke alarm must be ‘interconnected’.

Do interconnected smoke detectors require wifi or internet to function?

ZEN Smoke Alarms have a radio frequency (RF) transmitter inbuilt into each alarm – that is how our interconnected smoke detectors communicate with one another – no internet or home wifi required!

What is the range / distance of interconnected smoke detectors?

ZEN interconnected smoke alarms can operate in a 100m free-field range provided the alarms are not greater than 30m apart from one another. This is a huge distance and more than ample coverage for the average Australian home.

I have a multi-storey house with solid concrete walls and ceilings –

will the interconnected smoke detectors still work?

This is not an issue with ZEN interconnected smoke alarms (we can’t speak for other brands though). Our interconnected smoke detectors are designed to function throughout large size multi-storey properties – upstairs, downstairs, inside and throughout the entire building with solid concrete walls, ceilings, floors etc. it is not a problem.

Can interconnected smoke detectors be triggered in neighbouring properties?

No, it is not possible to accidentally activate or trigger the interconnected smoke detectors in your neighbours house (and vice versa) – imagine the chaos occurring right around Australia if this were the case! All alarms in one group are paired with a ‘master’ alarm, which is distinct from a ‘master’ alarm in any other group.

Will interconnected smoke detectors be affected by other appliances?

Our smoke alarms cannot be affected by other household RF devices (i.e. wireless smoke alarms situated in neighbouring properties) as the technology is purposely designed to eliminate any such interference during the unique network pairing process.

TV or A/C remote controls do not interfere with our alarms either as they typically use different technology (infrared IR vs radio frequency RF).

Can I split up a ZEN Smoke Alarm bundle pack and use in separate properties?

Yes, absolutely! Whilst ZEN bundle packs arrive to you already pre-interconnected as one group, alarms in a bundle pack can still be split up. For example, you may prefer to split a 10-pack smoke alarm bundle into two separate groups by having 5 alarms in one property and 5 in another property (each group functioning independently of the other). You can even purchase extra ZEN alarms to add into a bundle pack group and make it bigger. It’s fully flexible and up to you to decide. Configuring a new smoke alarm group takes less than 2 minutes – our ZEN Quick-Start video shows how!

How do I tell if my smoke detectors are interconnected?

It is not possible to tell if smoke alarms are interconnected simply by looking at them. There is one certain way to find out if smoke alarms are interconnected though, and that is by testing them. Press the test button once on any smoke alarm in the group (or use the optional remote control), and if they are interconnected then all smoke alarms should activate their audible alarm and flashing red LED, usually within about 5 seconds of the first one starting.

How do I stop my interconnected smoke detectors going off?

As per Australian Standard 3786:2014, all ZEN interconnected smoke alarms will activate their audible alarm when smoke is detected by any one alarm in the group, however, only the source alarm detecting the real smoke will also flash its visual red LED – this allows you to quickly identify which room the fire may be located in. Additionally, if all ZEN interconnected smoke alarms are going off, pressing the silence button on any alarm in the group (or by using the remote control) will silence them, except for the one source alarm which is detecting the real smoke, again allowing you to instantly identify which room or area where the problem is located. Pressing the silence button a second time will then silence all interconnected smoke detectors in the group. Easy.

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

Ever wondered how to physically attach our ZEN Smoke Alarms onto your ceiling? You’ll be amazed at how simple it really is! A major advantage of wireless 10-year battery powered smoke detectors is that there is no electrical hardwiring involved – this means they can be installed by property owners without an electrician. ZEN interconnected smoke alarm bundle packs will even arrive to you already interconnected together as a group – no need to pair them up as we’ve done it for you – just switch them on and they’re good to go – how easy is that!

Checklist:

  • ZEN smoke alarm and its mounting bracket
  • Screws and anchor plugs (included with our ZEN smoke alarms)
  • Screwdriver or a cordless drill with 5mm drill bit
  • Pencil

STEP 1: Twist the mounting bracket to remove it from the back of the smoke detector.

STEP 2: Locate the mounting bracket in your chosen position on the ceiling. Use a pencil to mark the location of the two mounting bracket slots on the ceiling as per above.

STEP 3: Use a 5mm drill bit to drill a pilot hole at each location marked on the ceiling. Now insert an anchor plug into each hole and use the two screws to attach the mounting bracket to the chosen position.

STEP 4: Attach the smoke alarm to the mounting bracket and firmly turn clockwise to lock it into place.

STEP 5: Press the surface of the ZEN smoke alarm (the test button) to ensure you smoke alarm is working properly. If you have more than one interconnected smoke detector, then the others in the same group should also activate within approximately 10 (this is normal). Allow all the smoke alarms to finish their full test cycle without pressing any other buttons – don’t worry, they will all stop automatically after approximately 10-15 seconds.

Where Should I Install

Wireless Interconnected Smoke Alarms?

Queensland smoke detectors should be placed inside every bedroom and the interconnecting hallway outside the bedrooms. If there is no common hallway outside the bedrooms, then install a smoke detector on the nearest exit route or travel path from the dwelling. If it is a multi-story property, then at least one fire alarm must be installed on every level of the property.

Additionally, smoke detectors should not be installed within 30cm from the edge of a wall, within 30cm from a light fixture, 40cm from an air conditioner vent and also not within 40cm from a ceiling fan blade. It is preferable to install smoke detectors on the ceiling, as opposed to the wall.

Don’t forget, if replacing a 240V hardwired smoke alarm in QLD, the Queensland smoke alarm laws state that it must be replaced with another 240V hardwired smoke alarm (requires an electrician to do so).

WARNING! – do not use these products

when installing your smoke alarms!

Be wary using adhesive mounting kits or drill-free magnet mounting kits with your smoke alarms – we do not recommend using these products as they do NOT last. Although Australian Standard 3786:2014 doesn’t specify how smoke alarms should be attached to the ceiling, if you use the aforementioned products your smoke alarm will fall from the ceiling after a period of days, weeks or months, and it will become broken when it smashes onto the floor. How do we know this? – we stopped selling the adhesive kits / drill-free magnetic mounts several years ago. Consumer feedback indicated the products were unreliable and in good conscience we could not continue selling them – we’d rather have happy satisfied customers at the expense of profits any day. Spend a few extra minutes and use the included screws to affix your smoke alarm to the ceiling – this is the best way to install your wireless smoke alarms.

Want to know more? Watch our ZEN quick-start video or call us on 0478 596 402

We love talking smoke alarms!

ZEN Interconnected Smoke Alarms

There is no point waiting until a fire occurs before figuring out what to do and where to go – especially when family members are involved. Having a well developed and rehearsed home fire escape plan will provide loved ones with crucial time to escape, and could certainly mean the difference between life and death. This practical blog post shows how to develop a home fire escape plan and demonstrates that it needn’t be a difficult task.

Develop A Floor Plan And Identify The Emergency Exit Paths

The main purpose of a home fire escape plan is to provide the occupants of a dwelling sufficient knowledge and skill to escape a burning building. This is achieved by a) documenting the required information b) communicating the information and then c) practicing the home fire escape plan.

The first step in developing a home fire escape plan is to draw a basic floor plan / map of your house, including key locations such as each person’s bedroom. Review the floor plan collectively with all occupants of the dwelling – identify both the primary and secondary path of exit so there are two means of escape for each person in the event of a fire. Some things to consider – are there obstacles to negotiate such as large furniture? Are there ‘landmarks’ along the way which could assist if smoke has reduced visibility to zero? Are there people in the home of differing ages, mental acuity or reduced physical mobility? If so it may be worth allocating a ‘buddy’ to help these people. Agree on a muster point where everyone is to gather at a safe distance having evacuated the building.

Practice The Home Fire Escape Plan

It’s one thing to talk about it, it’s another thing to actually do it. Rehearse the home fire escape plan and physically practice an escape with EVERY member of the household, twice yearly. During the rehearsal, a mobile phone timer could be used to create a sense of urgency, reduced visibility due to thick smoke can be simulated by placing a blindfold on the occupant and have them attempt to navigate the exit path in a controlled manner. Once outside the building, everyone should assemble at the fire escape plan’s designated muster point and perform an after action review to identify any opportunities for improvement. Time taken to escape the building can be logged and used as a performance benchmark for future rehearsals.

Interconnected Smoke Detectors

And The Home Fire Escape Plan

ZEN interconnected smoke detectors provide greater early warning and response time to a fire – they should be installed within your home and form part of the overall home fire escape plan. Ensure they are installed in every bedroom, communal hallway outside the bedrooms and if in a multi-story dwelling then at least one on every floor. During the rehearsal of the home fire escape plan, test the photoelectric interconnected smoke detectors so all actually activate, and everyone becomes acquainted with their sound and meaning. Doing so may help lessen the sense of surprise or shock in a real-life fire event, and it is especially important for children who may not associate the smoke alarm sound with danger.

Fire Safety Essentials

Rehearsing your home fire escape plan is a great opportunity to impart some basic fire safety essentials. You may wish to document the following information in your home fire escape plan and ensure it is understood by all;

  • Immediately phone triple zero 000 for Australian emergency services, including the fire department.
  • Stay low to the ground to minimize inhaling toxic smoke and fumes which generally rise.
  • Prior to opening a door, test it using the back of the hand to ascertain if there is heat on the other side.
  • Close doors (but don’t lock) as you pass through them to limit air supply and possible expansion of the fire.
  • Once outside at the designated muster point perform a head count. Do not head back inside the burning building for any reason.

Smoke Alarms And The Home Fire Escape Plan – Summary

A home fire escape plan should be unique to each residence, and the occupants should be familiar with it. Review the home fire escape plan bi-annually and practice escaping from the building so that theoretical knowledge becomes reality. Ensure ZEN interconnected smoke detectors are installed and test these during the practice-run. Basic fire safety essentials should also be added to the home fire escape plan and practiced – doing so will increase the opportunity for your loved ones to escape a burning home in a real-life emergency situation.

Want to know more? Watch our ZEN quick-start video or call us on 0478 596 402

We love talking smoke alarms!

ZEN Interconnected Smoke Alarms