When was the last time your smoke alarms were tested by an electrician? Are they hardwired into your electrical system as recommended? An electrician does much more than pressing the test button on your smoke alarm. Max Power Electrical provides a complete smoke alarm installation and testing service for Melbourne and the Northern and Eastern suburbs. We service businesses, homeowners, landlords and real estate companies/property managers.
Our services include;
- Smoke alarm installation including supplying the alarm
- Smoke alarm testing
- Smoke alarm maintenance
- Yearly subscription service – testing/maintenance for Real Estate
Smoke Alarm Testing
In a fire emergency, you rely on smoke alarms to alert the occupants to the danger. You need to trust the smoke alarms will detect smoke and operate correctly in the event of a fire. Max Power Electrical has been providing smoke alarm testing in Melbourne for over 15 years and our electricians have unparalleled expertise in this area. A working smoke alarm saves lives.
Landlords have legislation requiring smoke alarm maintenance and we can advise you on your responsibilities. We even offer a subscription package with a yearly price that covers all smoke alarm testing and maintenance.
Understanding Smoke Alarm Requirements
Image source https://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/plan-prepare/installation-and-replacement
Smoke alarms need to be hardwired to your mains power with backup batteries (in case of a power outage). Smoke alarms must be located outside of living, sleeping areas on the ceiling of each level. We can advise you on the location and number of smoke alarms and supply and install ant extra needed/
Hardwired or 240V smoke alarms – Sometimes referred to as mains powered smoke alarms this style of alarm is connected to your home’s mains power supply and has a backup battery for use during a power-out.
Photoelectric smoke alarms – Melbourne’s Metropolitan Fire Brigade advise that this is a better smoke alarm than ionisation alarms. This is because photoelectric alarms act faster and are less prone to cause false alarms. Plus they detect smouldering fires very quickly giving occupants the earliest warning sign of a fire.
Am I Required to Have a Smoke alarm?
Yes by law you are required to have a smoke alarm on every level of the home. Homes constructed before 1997 need a stand-alone 9-volt battery smoke alarm installed.
Residential homes constructed after 1st August 1997 or that have undergone a renovation or extension, must have smoke alarms connected to 240-volt mains power. Plus a back-up battery must be installed in the smoke alarm.
Residential homes constructed after 1 May 2014, or homes that have undergone renovation or extension, where there is a requirement for more than one smoke alarm in the home, all smoke alarms fitted must be interconnected (so that when an alarm activates, all smoke alarms will sound).
Rental properties
Consumer Affairs Victoria stipulates that landlords/agents are responsible for fitting smoke alarms in rented properties.
Victoria’s Residential Tenancies Act, Section 68(1), states a ‘landlord must ensure that the rented premises are maintained in good repair’.
The Australasian Fire and Emergency Services Authorities Council (AFAC) specifies that responsibility for monthly smoke alarm testing rests with tenants, but the responsibility for annual battery replacement and cleaning rests with the landlord. The best practice is smoke alarm testing by an electrician every year – provided by the landlord. We include a compliance certificate for landlords also.
Yearly Subscription Smoke Alarm Testing for Real Estate/Landlords/Strata Management
We offer a subscription package for Property Managers/Real Estate which covers unlimited smoke alarm inspections to your property each year. And any additional smoke alarm installed to meet compliance costs from $170 per alarm.
- Ensure compliance with Victorian Law
- 24/7 emergency service for landlords
- Service, maintain and clean smoke alarms
- Change 9-volt battery where required
- Unlimited compliance inspections
- Attending and re-attending beeping/faulty alarms
- Ensure all smoke alarms meet AS 3786:2014
- Compliance report following each inspection
- Hardwired or 240V smoke alarms
- Photoelectric smoke alarms
- Lithium batteries
Smoke Alarm Testing Price
Subscription pricing starts from $165 per year
Once off inspection starting from $165
Installing new smoke alarms $198
