Owner's Manual
BARFS-1 Rev 2.1.1
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3.1.4
Alarm Location
The locations are typically required to meet the Deemed to Satisfy Provisions of the
Building Code of Australia. However the BCA does not provide specific guidance as
to the minimizing of potential nuisance alarms. There will be dwelling layouts that
require further consideration to avoid locating the alarm so that it is not triggered
from everyday events such as showers or cooking. This manual as well as AS1670
parts 1 and 6 provides technical guidance with respect to installation.
3.1.4.1
Smoke Alarms
Sufficient smoke must enter the Smoke Alarm before it will respond. The Smoke
Alarm needs to be within 7.5 metres (25ft) of the fire to respond quickly. It also needs
to be in a position where its alarm sounder can be heard throughout your home, so
it can wake the occupants in time for all to escape. As a minimum a smoke alarm
should be located between the sleeping area and the most likely sources of fire
(living room or kitchen for example). A single Smoke Alarm will give some protection
if it is properly installed, but most homes will require two or more to ensure that a
reliable early warning is given. For maximum protection you should put individual
Smoke Alarms in all the rooms where fire is most likely to break out, (apart from
kitchens, bathrooms etc. (see Locations to Avoid).
3.1.4.2
Heat Alarms
The Heat Alarm gives a fire warning when the temperature at the unit reaches
approximately 58
0
C. It is ideal for kitchens, garages, boiler houses and other areas
where there are normally high levels of fumes, smoke or dust i.e. places where
Smoke Alarms cannot be installed without the risk of excessive nuisance alarms.
A Heat Alarm should only be used in a room adjoining an escape route, and must
be used in conjunction with Smoke Alarms on the escape routes.
All the Heat Alarms and Smoke Alarms must be interconnected to ensure the early
warning will be heard, particularly by somebody sleeping. A properly designed early
warning fire system ensures the alarm is given before the escape routes become
blocked with smoke or heat. Therefore, there must be Smoke Alarms along the
escape routes as Heat Alarms would not give sufficient warning.
However, a fire in a closed room (e.g. kitchen) adjoining the escape route, can
eventually cause the corridor to become smoke-logged due to smoke leaking out
from around the door before adequate warning can be given by detectors in the
corridor. (Smoke leaking out from a room is often cool and slow moving so it can
take a long time to rise to the ceiling, and travel to a detector which could be some
distance away). A Heat Alarm in the closed room will give earlier warning of fire in
that room and help overcome this problem.
This type, with consideration to the above, can be installed in kitchens, laundry’s,
garages and boiler houses and other areas where there are normally high levels of
fumes, smoke or dust i.e. places where smoke alarms cannot be installed without
the risk of excessive nuisance alarms.
Important:
These Smoke/Heat Alarms are designed for use in a residential type
environment.
