Category: Info

As the new year dawns, it’s the perfect time to embrace fresh starts, set inspiring goals, and tackle those long-overdue home improvement projects. While most people are busy scribbling down resolutions like “exercise more” or “eat healthier,” why not add a truly life-changing goal to your list? This January, make your home safer and smarter by installing ZEN photoelectric smoke alarms. Trust us, it’s the easy DIY glow-up your home deserves for 2025.

Photoelectric smoke alarms New Years 2025

Why is January is the ideal month to make this upgrade? The new year is all about turning over a new leaf, and what better way to do that than by safeguarding your family’s safety? With ZEN’s photoelectric smoke alarms, you’re not just checking a box—you’re making a bold statement that safety comes first in your household. Plus, starting the year with such a proactive move sets the tone for an organized, responsible year ahead. Cue the applause!

Now, let’s get into the benefits. First off, ZEN photoelectric smoke alarms don’t just sit there looking stylish (though they do that, too). They’re workhorses that detect smoldering fires early—the kind that traditional ionization alarms might miss. And because they’re interconnected, if one photoelectric smoke alarm goes off, all alarms sound, ensuring you and your family have precious extra seconds to act. It’s like having a team of vigilant guardians keeping watch over your home, 24/7.

Did we mention the added value to your property? Savvy homeowners know that an interconnected photoelectric smoke alarm system isn’t just a safety feature; it’s an investment. If you ever decide to sell, prospective buyers will appreciate this forward-thinking upgrade, especially as Queensland’s new 2027 smoke alarm compliance law deadline looms. You’re not just protecting lives; you’re also protecting your bottom line. Cha-ching!

ZEN photoelectric smoke alarms add value to your home

And because we believe safety should come with a side of perks, every ZEN photoelectric smoke alarm bundle pack includes a bonus remote control and a free fire blanket. It’s our way of saying thanks for being awesome and choosing us.

FREE ZEN fire blanket with every ZEN smoke alarm bundle pack

So, this January, skip the expensive gym memberships you’ll abandon by February and make a resolution that truly matters. Installing ZEN photoelectric smoke alarms is the smartest, safest, and most rewarding way to kick off the year. Go ahead, take the leap—your future self will thank you!

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

We love talking smoke alarms!

ZEN Photoelectric Smoke Alarms

New Farm, QLD, 4005

As summer arrives, Queenslanders embrace outdoor barbecues, festive gatherings, and long, sunny days. However, the warmer months also bring increased risks of fires from cooking, electrical overloads, and bushfires. Ensuring your home is fire-ready starts with understanding the importance of interconnected photoelectric smoke alarms.

Why Interconnected Photoelectric Smoke Alarms Are Essential

Photoelectric smoke alarms such as ZEN are a must-have for every Queensland home. Unlike standalone alarms, interconnected photoelectric systems link all your smoke alarms, so when one detects smoke, they all sound the alarm. This gives you and your family precious extra time to escape, especially in larger homes or properties with multiple levels.

In fact, Queensland’s smoke alarm legislation for 2027 requires ALL homes to have interconnected photoelectric smoke alarms. By upgrading now, you’re not only complying with the law but also safeguarding your loved ones.

Summer Fire Safety Tips


1 Test Your Photoelectric Smoke Alarms

  • Press the test button monthly to ensure all alarms activate.
  • Vacuum around the alarms to remove dust that might affect their performance.

2 Upgrade to Photoelectric Smoke Alarms

  • ZEN photoelectric smoke alarms are better at detecting smouldering fires, which are common in home environments.
  • Pairing photoelectric technology with an interconnected system is the ultimate fire safety solution.

3 Have a Fire Escape Plan

  • Practice evacuating your home and establish a safe meeting point outside.
  • Keep a spare set of house keys in an easily accessible location to facilitate a speedy escape.
  • Interconnected photoelectric smoke alarms give you extra time to put your plan into action.

4 Be BBQ Safe

  • Unattended cooking is a leading cause of house fires – never leave the grill unattended.
  • Keep a fire blanket or extinguisher within easy reach.
  • Position your barbecue away from combustible materials, such as curtains, plants, or outdoor furniture. A safe distance can help prevent fire accidents.
  • Always turn off the gas or unplug the electric BBQ when you’re finished.

5 Prepare for QLD Bushfires

  • Clear gutters, trim trees, and have an emergency plan ready if you live near bushfire-prone areas.
  • Know your Fire Danger Rating (FDR) – an FDR describes the potential level of danger should a bushfire start.
  • Ensure vehicles have sufficient fuel and move them to a safe location.
  • Wet down the sides of buildings, decks and plants close to your home in the likely path of the bushfire.

ZEN Photoelectric Smoke Alarms: Your Partner in Summer Safety

Protecting your home has never been easier with ZEN Smoke Alarms. Our photoelectric smoke alarm bundle packs (5, 7, 10-pack bundles) include state-of-the-art interconnected photoelectric smoke alarms that meet Queensland’s 2027 requirements. Plus, every ZEN bundle pack comes with a bonus remote control for effortless testing and a free fire blanket for added home protection and peace of mind.

Make this summer a safe and enjoyable season by ensuring your home is equipped with interconnected photoelectric smoke alarms. Upgrade today and enjoy the peace of mind that comes from knowing your family is protected. Stay safe, Queensland!

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

We love talking smoke alarms!

ZEN Photoelectric Smoke Alarms

New Farm, QLD, 4005

When it comes to protecting your home and family, choosing the right smoke alarm is key. One of the most effective solutions on the market today is the interconnected smoke alarm, particularly those with photoelectric technology. But why is this type of smoke alarm so important, and how can correct Australian Standard Certification (the red ‘5-ticks’ logo) give you the confidence you need in your purchase? Read on to find out!

What Is An Interconnected Photoelectric Smoke Alarm?

An interconnected photoelectric smoke alarm is designed to link multiple alarms throughout your home. When one alarm detects smoke, it automatically triggers all the alarms in the network using a radio frequency (RF) signal. This means that whether you’re asleep in the bedroom upstairs or watching TV in the living room downstairs, you’ll be alerted to danger, no matter where the fire starts. For families with large homes or multi-level houses (or with teenagers with headphones on), having interconnected photoelectric smoke alarms offers an added layer of protection, ensuring no part of the home is left vulnerable.

Why Photoelectric Smoke Alarm Technology Matters

Photoelectric smoke alarms are renowned for their ability to detect slow, smouldering fires—common in home settings. These fires often produce significant amounts of smoke before erupting into visible flames, making early detection critical – once active flame state is achieved, a fire can engulf a modern home in a matter of minutes. Unlike older ionisation alarms, new photoelectric smoke alarm models are highly sensitive to smoke from smouldering materials such as furniture or electrical wiring.

Australian Standard Red ‘5-Ticks’ Certification

Beware – not all photoelectric smoke alarms are created equal. Did you know that smoke alarm manufacturers have a choice of certification agencies to certify their smoke alarm? Some certification agencies such as Intertek SAI Global are well known and established – you will see their red Australian Standard logo (commonly known as the ‘StandardsMark’ or red ‘5-ticks logo’) not only on smoke alarms, but on a variety of Australian certified products. This certification is your assurance that the photoelectric smoke alarm has been rigorously assessed to meet Australian Standard AS 3786:2014. As part of the assurance process, Intertek SAI Global send an independent audit team to the smoke alarm manufacturing facility every year to inspect and verify the manufacturing and testing process. A report is produced and any non-conformances are immediately identified and rectified – this ongoing process ensures safety and quality standards are maintained indefinitely.

How do you know if the smoke alarm manufacturer is genuine and legally authorised to use the red logo above? Simple – look them up! You can see the license number above ‘SMK41401’. This license number is unique to the manufacturer’s certificate and can be searched on the Intertek SAI Global database. Check it out here. The database applies not only to smoke alarms, but to any Australian Standard Certified product!

However, another choice for smoke alarm manufacturers is to certify their product using an offshore certification agency which is cheaper and less well known. Surprisingly, the Australian Standard verification process for these cheaper certification agencies does not require visiting and auditing the manufacturing facility at all! Rather, the cheaper certification agency will perform a once-only desk top review of paperwork such as a smoke alarm test report, and then confirm the product is Australian Standard certified based on this evidence alone. Note that whilst these cheaper certification agencies may say the product is Australian Standard certified and produce their own ‘certificate’ to attest to this, they do not have permission to use the Australian Standard red ‘5-ticks logo’ of which we are all familiar – always look for the Australian Standard red ‘5-ticks logo’ as this is your genuine symbol of quality, and trust.

By choosing a photoelectric smoke alarm with the Australian Standard red ‘5-ticks logo’, like those from ZEN Smoke Alarms, you’re investing in a product that’s been tested for quality, reliability, durability, and overall performance year after year.

Invest In ZEN Photoelectric Smoke Alarms

For Trusted Total Protection

When it comes to safeguarding your home, interconnected photoelectric smoke alarms offer unparalleled safety by ensuring that every corner of your house is covered. Choose ZEN Smoke Alarms for certified quality and the peace of mind that comes with the trusted Australian Standard red ‘5-ticks logo’.

Protect your home and family with a system that’s proven to work – when you need it most.

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

We love talking smoke alarms!

ZEN Photoelectric Smoke Alarms

New Farm, QLD, 4005

Photoelectric smoke alarms are essential safety devices, but misinformation often keeps people from making the best choices. In this second part of our knowledge series we’ll bust another five myths about photoelectric smoke alarms so you can protect your home and loved ones more effectively.

MYTH 1: Photoelectric Smoke Alarms Are Not Necessary

REALITY: Some people believe that interconnected photoelectric smoke alarms are an unnecessary luxury. However, interconnected photoelectric smoke alarms significantly improve safety. When one alarm detects smoke, it triggers all interconnected photoelectric smoke alarms in the house, ensuring that everyone is alerted, regardless of where the fire starts. Interconnected photoelectric smoke alarms are recommended by every Australian state fire department and will become mandatory by law for every Queensland home in 2027.

MYTH 2: Photoelectric Smoke Alarms

Don’t Need Maintenance Or Cleaning

REALITY: Maintenance is crucial for all smoke alarms to function properly and photoelectric smoke alarms are no exception. Photoelectric smoke alarms should be tested monthly. Additionally, photoelectric smoke alarms should be cleaned periodically to remove dust and debris that could impair their sensitivity. Neglecting these tasks can lead to false alarms or, worse, a failure to alert you in the event of a fire.

MYTH 3: All Interconnected Smoke Alarms Are The Same

REALITY: There are two primary types of smoke alarms: ionization and photoelectric. Photoelectric smoke alarms are better at detecting smoldering fires, which are more common in home environments. They are less prone to false alarms from cooking or steam, making them more reliable in daily use. Additionally, photoelectric smoke detectors provide quicker warnings for slow-burning fires, offering more time to escape safely. It is for this reason that interconnected photoelectric smoke alarms such as ZEN are the preferred type by all fire authorities in Australia.

MYTH 4: Photoelectric Smoke Alarms

Can Be Installed Anywhere

REALITY: Proper placement is key for effective smoke detection. ZEN photoelectric smoke alarms should be installed on every level of your home, inside bedrooms, and the hallway outside sleeping areas. Avoid placing photoelectric smoke alarms near kitchens or bathrooms where steam and cooking fumes could cause false alarms. Avoid placing photoelectric smoke alarms in areas prone to excessive dust or in semi-enclosed areas.

MYTH 5: I’ll Hear The Alarm And Have Plenty Of Time To Act

REALITY: Many people believe that the smell of smoke will wake them up, or that heat from a fire will give enough warning to respond calmly. However, fires can spread rapidly, often filling a home with smoke in minutes. Did you know that whilst asleep your sense of smell ceases to function? – you won’t smell the smoke. An interconnected photoelectric smoke alarm system can alert you in time by sounding all alarms in the house when one is triggered, giving you the precious seconds needed to escape.

We hope you have enjoyed this second part of our knowledge series article. By debunking common photoelectric smoke alarm myths and recognizing the strengths of different types of alarms, you can make informed decisions that enhance your household’s fire readiness.

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

We love talking smoke alarms!

ZEN Photoelectric Smoke Alarms

New Farm, QLD, 4005