Category: Info

There are several important differences between ZEN wireless interconnected photoelectric smoke alarms and conventional smoke alarms.

ZEN Smoke Alarms Are Photoelectric Smoke Alarms

1) Our smoke alarms are photoelectric (not ionisation). Older conventional smoke alarms use radioactive ionisation as the process by which they detect smoke particles in the air. Ionisation smoke alarms are good at detecting smoke from fast flaming fires, but are less adept at detecting smoke from smouldering flames which is common of most house fires. Ionisation alarms have also been known to cause frustrating nuisance alarms, which might condition people to switch them off, putting themselves at risk. For these reasons the older style ionisation smoke alarms are being phased out both in Australia and internationally. All ZEN Smoke Alarms are the photoelectric type and do not also contain an ionisation sensor.

ZEN Are Wirelessly Interconnected Smoke Alarms

2) ZEN Smoke Alarms are wirelessly interconnected smoke alarms (no wifi or internet required). Older smoke alarms typically operated as stand-alone units. If a smoke alarm sensed smoke on the ground floor of a building – yes it may activate, but any other smoke alarms on the upper floors would not activate until smoke had entered the same air space – by this time it could be too late to initiate an effective response (or escape).

Our ZEN Smoke Alarm bundle packs (5, 7 or 10-packs) arrive to you already wirelessly ‘interconnected’ together – there is no complicated pairing process as we’ve done it for you! If one ZEN interconnected smoke alarm detects smoke anywhere within a building, then all interconnected smoke alarms paired within the same network will simultaneously initiate their alarm. This can provide increased early warning and response time for residents.

ZEN Smoke Alarms Have A 10-Year Long Life Battery

3) Our photoelectric smoke alarms have a sealed (non-removeable) 10-year long life 3v lithium battery. Conventional smoke alarms are usually powered by a 9v replaceable battery. When the battery life becomes drained over time the smoke alarm begins to emit a loud intermittent ‘chirp’ noise. The chirp serves as a noisy (and annoying) reminder to replace the battery, and continues until the battery is replaced. As seen in past events, residents can remove the battery, disabling the chirping noise and the alarm itself, often with tragic consequences.

Because our photoelectric smoke alarms are powered by a long life 10-year lithium  battery which is sealed inside the unit, the battery cannot be deliberately removed. At the end of the 10-year battery life span, the entire smoke alarm unit is simply replaced with a new one!

ZEN Smoke Alarms Can Be Easily DIY Installed

4) As there is no electrical wiring required, ZEN wireless photoelectric smoke alarms can be easily DIY installed using the included screws and mounting bracket. A compliance certificate showing that the smoke alarms are Australian Standard 3786:2014 compliant is also included in the box with every ZEN Smoke Alarm.

ZEN Smoke Alarms Free Shipping And Same Day Dispatch

5) ZEN Smoke Alarms offer FREE Australia Post shipping for all ZEN Smoke Alarm bundle packs, and same day dispatch if placed before 1:30pm business days – how good is that! Customers tell us they love our super-fast Australia wide delivery. Note we are not an offshore drop shipper. All our Aussie stock is kept locally at warehouses in Brisbane, QLD.

ZEN Smoke Alarms Are Remote Control Compatible

6) ZEN Smoke Alarm bundle packs include a free remote control device (can also be purchased separately). Whilst the alarms will work perfectly fine without it, the ZEN remote control provides added convenience in that it allows you to periodically test the alarms, without having to reach up to the ceiling to press the alarm itself.

Probably the best feature of the ZEN remote control though, is the silence (hush) button. The silence button eliminates rushing around in a mad panic when you burn the toast in the kitchen. It also allows you to quickly and easily identify the location of the source alarm or problem area.

ZEN Smoke Alarm Bundle Packs Include A FREE Fire Blanket!

7) All ZEN Smoke Alarm bundle packs (5, 7, 10 pack) also receive a FREE fire blanket! (in addition to the free bonus remote). The ZEN fire blanket provides an easy and effective way to quickly extinguish small fires, which can prevent them from spreading and causing more serious damage. Measuring 1m x 1m in size, the ZEN fire blanket perfectly complements the ZEN photoelectric smoke alarm range and is ideal for your home kitchen, BBQ area, garage, caravan, car or boat.

Australian Standard Certification Included In the Box

ZEN Photoelectric Smoke Alarms are manufactured, tested and certified to Australian Standard 3786:2014. A copy of the certificate is included in the box with every alarm. Always look for the bright red Australian Standard Certified logo on our products and packaging – this is your genuine symbol of quality.

ZEN Smoke Alarms Offer Amazing After-Sales Support

And Excellent Customer Service

8) Shop with confidence knowing you are buying from a well established, knowledgeable, and trustworthy company – upholding good business ethics is important to us. Got a question or problem? – call Christian anytime on 0478 596 402 – he loves to help!

9) We are also members of professional industry associations such as the Fire Protection Association Australia (FPAA) – this is your symbol of trust. But don’t just take our word for it, see what others are saying with over 160+ Google 5-star reviews! – ZEN Photoelectric Smoke Alarms located in New Farm, QLD.

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

The Queensland Christmas season is synonymous with family fun and warm summer holiday weather. However, amidst the festive cheer, it’s also important to consider fire safety to ensure your celebrations remain merry and bright. Christmas fire safety is important during this time of year, as the combination of dry Christmas trees, electrical lighting, and other festive decorations can pose a potential fire hazard. Here are some essential tips to keep your family home safe and sound this Queensland Christmas season.

Mindful Christmas Tree Placement

If you are using a real natural pine tree as a Christmas tree, choose one that is fresh and green and keep it well-hydrated. Position it away from any potential heat sources. A dry Christmas tree can quickly become a fire hazard, so water it regularly and dispose of it promptly after the holidays.

Position your tree strategically – make sure it’s not blocking any exits. This ensures that, in the unfortunate event of a fire, everyone can easily evacuate the home.

Christmas Lights Check

Inspect all Christmas lights before decorating your tree and home. Discard any frayed or damaged cords and replace burnt-out bulbs. Opt for LED lights, which emit less heat than traditional incandescent lights, reducing the risk of fire. Be wary of non-compliant cheap imports and ensure your lights have the appropriate Australian electrical safety Regulatory Compliance Mark (RCM). Always turn off all Christmas lights and decorations before going to bed or leaving the house. This simple step not only conserves energy but also reduces the risk of electrical malfunctions that could lead to a fire.

Interconnected Photoelectric Smoke Alarms

Equip your home with ZEN interconnected photoelectric smoke alarms inside every bedroom, hallway outside the bedrooms, and have at least one on each level of the dwelling. Press the test button on your photoelectric smoke alarms to check they are in good working order (i.e. so if one smoke alarm goes off, they all go off). If you haven’t done so already, create a home fire safety plan and share it with your family and any visitors who may be staying with you over the holiday period. Keep fire a fire blanket handy, and make sure everyone knows its location and how to use it. Spending 10 minutes to review this information with your loved ones could avoid becoming a Christmas tragedy headline on the evening news.

Power Board Wisdom

Avoid overloading electrical wall outlets and power boards. Spread out the use of multiple appliances and decorations across different outlets to prevent overloading and subsequent overheating. Choose a power board which has in-built overload protection.

Candle Caution

Candles add a traditional warm glow to the festive atmosphere, but they can also pose a fire risk. Keep candles away from flammable materials such as window curtains, place them in stable holders, and never leave them unattended. Consider using realistic looking flameless LED candles as a safer modern alternative.

Cooking Vigilance

The holiday season often involves elaborate meals and festive cooking. Stay vigilant in the kitchen, and never leave cooking unattended. Keep flammable items, such as kitchen tea towels and oven mitts, away from open flames and other heat sources. Keep a fire blanket nearby to help extinguish any cooking flames on the stove top.

Conclusion

By following these Christmas fire safety tips, you can enjoy a festive and worry-free holiday season. Ensuring interconnected photoelectric smoke alarms are installed and working means the joy of Christmas remains in our hearts without the threat of fire casting a shadow on the celebrations. Merry Christmas Queensland! Thank you all for your amazing support, and we look forward to another incredibly busy and productive year ahead! Best wishes and Happy New Year to all!

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

Do I need to supply a smoke alarm compliance certificate when selling my property in Queensland? This is a common question, and the answer depends on what type of smoke alarms are installed. The QLD Fire Department state that 240V hardwired smoke alarms require a compliance certificate, whereas wireless 10-year battery powered smoke alarms do not.

1. 240V Hardwired Alarms Installed In Your Property

The QLD Fire Department state that 240V hardwired smoke alarms require a Certificate of Testing and Compliance when selling your property. The certificate is provided by a licensed electrician and must certify that the hardwired alarms are electrically safe.

QFES Website

2. Wireless 10-year Battery Powered Alarms

There is no QLD law that says a smoke alarm compliance certificate must be produced by the seller.

What legislation does stipulate is that the seller must install compliant interconnected photoelectric smoke alarms in all prescribed locations as required by law.

When this is done, the seller must disclose in writing to the buyer that compliant smoke alarms have been installed. This is achieved by completing two legal documents.

– the ‘Form 24’ (QLD Transfer of Title Form)

– the Contract of Sale

The ‘Form 24’ (QLD Transfer Of Title Form) – Section 5 (g)

Form 24

The Contract Of Sale

Contract of Sale

The Real Estate Institute of QLD (REIQ) is Queensland’s peak professional body for the real estate industry. Their fact sheet below states that the seller is not required to provide a compliance certificate. However, the buyer is entitled to arrange for an inspection of the smoke alarms (at their own cost).

Should the smoke alarms be deemed non-compliant, the buyer is entitled to an adjustment of 0.15% of the purchase price in their favour (if requested).

REIQ Contract of Sale FAQ

For this reason, people who don’t feel confident installing wireless 10-year battery powered smoke alarms may choose to pay a third party service provider to install the smoke alarms, with a ‘compliance certificate’ provided. Or they may arrange for an inspection of their own DIY work, again with a ‘compliance certificate’ provided (noting this is not a legal requirement to enact the sale). 

240V hardwired smoke alarms must always be installed by a licensed electrician.

Want to do some further reading? Links to all official sources in this article are provided below:

QLD Fire Department website (smoke alarm section – selling and leasing)

The QLD Fire Department state that 240V hardwired interconnected smoke alarms installed by a licensed electrician require a Certificate of Testing and Compliance when selling your property.

QLD Electrical Safety Regulations 2013 (section 227)

Includes detail on what must be included in the Certificate of Testing and Compliance for 240V hardwired smoke alarms.

QLD Fire Services Act 1990 (section 148I)

States that the seller of a property must provide notice in writing to the purchaser that compliant smoke alarms are installed in all prescribed locations.

Building Fire Safety (Domestic Smoke Alarms) Legislation Amendment Regulation 2016

Lists all the prescribed locations for installation of smoke alarms as required by law. It also lists the prescribed ways of powering smoke alarms, and any additional smoke alarm compliance requirements.

Real Estate Institute of QLD (REIQ) contract FAQ fact sheet

REIQ state that the seller does not need to provide a compliance certificate to confirm the smoke alarms installed are compliant.

Provides guidance on who checks smoke alarms during the selling process, and what could happen if smoke alarms are not compliant.

Legal Disclaimer: Information contained in this article is general in nature and should not be construed as legal advice. You should always seek the services of a legal professional when selling or purchasing a property.

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

There is no point waiting until a fire occurs before figuring out what to do and where to go – especially when family members are involved. Having a well developed and rehearsed home fire escape plan will provide loved ones with crucial time to escape, and could certainly mean the difference between life and death. This blog post shows how to develop a home fire escape plan and demonstrates that it needn’t be an onerous task.

Develop A Floor Plan And Identify The Emergency Exit Path

The objective of a home fire escape plan is to provide the occupants of a dwelling sufficient knowledge and skill to escape a burning building in an efficient and timely manner. This is achieved by

a) documenting the required information

b) communicating the information and then;

c) practicing the home fire escape plan.

The first step in developing a home fire escape plan is to draw a basic floor plan / map of your house, including key locations such as each person’s bedroom. Review the floor plan collectively with all occupants of the dwelling – identify both the primary and secondary path of exit so there are two means of escape for each person in the event of a fire. Some things to consider – are there obstacles to negotiate such as large furniture? Are there ‘landmarks’ along the way which could assist if smoke has reduced visibility to zero? Are there people in the home of differing ages, mental acuity or reduced physical mobility? If so it may be worth assigning a specific ‘buddy’ to assist these people. Nominate an agreed muster point where everyone is to gather at a safe distance having evacuated the building.

Practice The Home Fire Escape Plan

It’s one thing to talk about it, it’s another thing to actually do it. As the famous Russian playwright Anton Chekhov once said, “Knowledge is of no value unless you put it into practice.” Rehearse the home fire escape plan and physically practice an escape with ALL members of the household, at least bi-annually. During the rehearsal, a mobile phone timer could be used to create a sense of urgency, reduced visibility due to thick smoke can be simulated by placing a blindfold on the occupant and have them attempt to navigate the exit path in a controlled manner. Once outside the building, everyone should assemble at the fire safety plan’s designated muster point and perform an after action review to identify any learnings and/or improvement opportunities. Time taken to escape the building can be recorded and used as a performance benchmark for future rehearsals.

Interconnected Photoelectric Smoke Alarms

And The Home Fire Escape Plan

Because ZEN interconnected photoelectric smoke alarms provide greater early warning and response time to a fire, they should be installed within your home and form part of the overall home fire escape plan. Ensure interconnected photoelectric smoke alarms are installed in every bedroom, communal hallway outside the bedrooms and if in a multi-story dwelling then at least one on every floor. During the rehearsal of the home fire escape plan, test the interconnected photoelectric smoke alarms so all actually activate, and everyone becomes acquainted with their sound and meaning. Doing so may help lessen the sense of surprise or shock in a real-life fire event, and it is particularly important for young children who may not immediately associate the sound of a smoke alarm with danger.

Fire Safety Essentials Within The Home Fire Escape Plan

Rehearsing your home fire escape plan is a great opportunity to impart some basic fire safety essentials. You may wish to document the following information in your home fire escape plan and ensure it is understood by all;

  • Immediately phone triple zero 000 for Australian emergency services, including the fire department.
  • Stay low to the ground to minimize inhaling toxic smoke and fumes which generally rise.
  • Prior to opening a door, test it using the back of the hand to ascertain if there is heat on the other side.
  • Close doors (but don’t lock) as you pass through them to limit air supply and possible expansion of the fire.
  • Once outside at the designated muster point perform a head count. Do not head back inside the burning building for any reason.

Conclusion

An effective home fire escape plan should be specific to each dwelling, and the occupants should be intimately familiar with it. Review the home fire escape plan twice a year and rehearse escaping from the building so that knowledge is put into practice. Ensure ZEN interconnected photoelectric smoke alarms are included and test these during the practice-run. Basic fire safety essentials should also be added to the home fire escape plan and practiced – doing so will increase the opportunity for your loved ones to successfully escape a burning home in a real-life emergency event.

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