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Smoke / Heat Alarms have significantly helped to
reduce the number of fire fatalities in countries where
they are widely installed.
However independent authorities have stated that these
systems may be ineffective in some fire situations.
There are a number of reasons for this:
- The Alarms will not work if the mains power supply
is off or disconnected and the backup battery is
depleted. Test regularly to ensure the power supply is
functioning as required.
- The Alarms will not detect fire if sufficient heat/smoke
does not reach the Alarms. Heat/smoke may be
prevented from reaching the Alarm if the fire is too
far away, for example, if the fire is on another floor,
behind a closed door, in a chimney, in a wall cavity,
or if the prevailing air drafts carry the heat/smoke
away. Installing Heat Alarms and Smoke Alarms
on both sides of closed doors and throughout the
house or premises as recommended in this leaflet will
significantly improve the probability of early detection.
- The Alarms may not be heard. An Alarm may not
wake a person who has taken drugs or alcohol.
- The Alarms may not detect every type of fire to give
sufficient early warning.
- The Alarms don’t last indefinitely. The manufacturer
recommends regular testing and replacement after,
at most, 10 years, as a precaution.
7. Limitations of Fire Alarms
