Operation & Installation Manual RFS1 V2
MA365 Rev 3
10 of 46
2.4
Locating Smoke / Heat Alarms
The locations are typically required to meet the Deemed to Satisfy Provisions of the
NCC. However, the NCC does not provide specific guidance as to the minimizing of
potential of 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.
2.4.1
Smoke Alarms
Sufficient smoke must enter the Smoke Alarm before it will respond. The Smoke
Alarm needs to be within 7.5 metres of the fire to respond quickly. It also needs to
be in a position where its alarm sounder can be heard throughout the residence, 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 residence will require two or more Smoke Alarms
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).
Note: Some state legislation mandates a Smoke Alarm in every room and hallway in
the dwelling.
The living room is the most likely place for a fire to start at night, followed by the
kitchen and then the dining room. You should also consider putting Smoke Alarms
in any bedrooms where fires might occur. For instance, where there is an electrical
appliance such as an electric blanket or where the occupant is a smoker. You could
also consider putting Smoke Alarms in any rooms where the occupant is unable to
respond very well to a fire starting in the rooms, such as an elderly, sick person or a
very young child.
Refer to the Smoke Alarm EIB650iWX and the Heat Alarm EIB603CX leaflets for
more details.
2.4.2
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.
The Heat and Smoke Alarms are interconnected with RFS1 V2 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, laundries,
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.
