When it comes to home safety, there’s one unsung hero that deserves more recognition: the interconnected fire alarm. These devices have revolutionized fire safety, providing protection that’s not just smarter, but also faster and more reliable. Whether you’re a homeowner, a landlord, or just someone who values safety, understanding the benefits of interconnected smoke alarms is vital, especially in the state of Queensland with new legislation mandating interconnected smoke alarms in ALL dwellings by 2027.
Don’t forget to read the interconnected smoke alarms FAQ list at the conclusion of this article – we provide answers to the most common interconnected fire alarm questions!
Why Do Interconnected Smoke Alarms Matter?
Imagine a fire starting in a remote part of your home, like the garage or a downstairs laundry, whilst you are fast asleep upstairs in the second floor bedroom. Speed is everything in a fire emergency – a fire can double in size every 30 seconds, so every second counts. Without interconnected smoke alarms, you might not hear the alert until the fire has spread significantly. Interconnected smoke detectors are linked so that when one detects smoke, they all sound the alarm simultaneously – you’re not relying on just one device to protect your entire household. This interconnected fire alarm system ensures that no matter where the fire starts, everyone is alerted immediately – it provides occupants with a crucial time advantage to either escape or respond to the fire situation.
Interconnected Smoke Alarms –
A Legal And Sensible Choice
Interconnected smoke alarms are strongly recommended by every state fire department within Australia. Queensland, however, is the first state to make interconnected smoke alarms not only a ‘recommendation’ – but a compulsory legal requirement for ALL home types and situations. Queensland’s strict new fire safety laws make it mandatory for all homes to have interconnected smoke alarms by 2027, but this isn’t just a legal hoop to jump through – it’s about ensuring the best possible protection for your family. The early detection and widespread alert provided by interconnected fire alarm systems have been proven to save lives, particularly in multi-level homes or properties with hard-to-hear areas like granny flats or detached garages.
Interconnected Smoke Alarms Are
Easy To Install And Easy To Maintain
You might think that installing a network of interconnected smoke alarms sounds complicated, but modern technology has made it easier than ever. Interconnected smoke alarms can be wireless, meaning you don’t have to deal with complicated electrical wiring, invasive installation procedures or major renovations to meet the new standards. Wirelessly interconnected battery-operated models offer a simple DIY solution for older homes or rental properties. ZEN Interconnected Smoke Alarms are designed to be straight-forward and low maintenance, with long-lasting 10-year batteries and an optional remote control for easy smoke alarm testing and silencing. ZEN smoke alarm bundle packs (5 / 7 / 10 packs) will even arrive to you already wirelessly interconnected together – it’s one less thing you have to do after you receive them and makes smoke alarm installation even easier. How good is that!
ZEN Smoke Alarm bundle packs arrive to you already interconnected – we do the hard part for you!
Interconnected Smoke Alarms Offer Peace Of Mind
At the end of the day perhaps the biggest benefit of installing interconnected smoke alarms is the peace of mind they offer. Knowing that your home is equipped with the best possible early warning system allows you to sleep easier, live more comfortably, and enjoy your home with the confidence that you’ve taken the right steps to protect what matters most – your loved ones.
So, if you haven’t already made the switch, now is the time. It’s not just about compliance—it’s about making sure your home is as safe as it can be.
Interconnected Smoke Alarms Frequently Asked Questions
Below are answers to some of the most commonly asked interconnected fire alarm questions. Read on!
Do interconnected smoke alarms need to be hardwired?
No they don’t. ‘Hardwired’ refers to how a smoke alarm receives its power and not the method for interconnecting the smoke alarm (i.e. 240V hardwired vs 10 year battery powered). Australia’s National Construction Code and state legislation do not prescribe how a smoke alarm must be ‘interconnected’.
Do interconnected smoke alarms require wifi or internet to function?
ZEN Smoke Alarms have a radio frequency (RF) transmitter inbuilt into each alarm – that is how our interconnected smoke alarms communicate with one another – no internet or home wifi required!
What is the range / distance of interconnected smoke alarms?
ZEN interconnected smoke alarms can operate in a 100m free-field range provided the alarms are not greater than 30m apart from one another. This is a huge distance and more than ample coverage for the average Australian home.
I have a multi-storey house with solid concrete walls and ceilings –
will the interconnected smoke alarms still work?
This is not an issue with ZEN interconnected smoke alarms (we can’t speak for other brands though). Our interconnected smoke alarms are designed to function throughout large size multi-storey properties – upstairs, downstairs, inside and throughout the entire building with solid concrete walls, ceilings, floors etc. it is not a problem.
Can interconnected smoke alarms be triggered in neighbouring properties?
No, it is not possible to accidentally activate or trigger the interconnected smoke alarms in your neighbours house (and vice versa) – imagine the chaos occurring right around Australia if this were the case! All alarms in one group are paired with a ‘master’ alarm, which is distinct from a ‘master’ alarm in any other group.
Will interconnected smoke alarms be affected by other appliances?
Our smoke alarms cannot be affected by other household RF devices (i.e. wireless smoke alarms situated in neighbouring properties) as the technology is purposely designed to eliminate any such interference during the unique network pairing process.
TV or A/C remote controls do not interfere with our alarms either as they typically use different technology (infrared IR vs radio frequency RF).
Can I split up a ZEN Smoke Alarm bundle pack and use in separate properties?
Yes, absolutely! Whilst ZEN bundle packs arrive to you already pre-interconnected as one group, alarms in a bundle pack can still be split up. For example, you may prefer to split a 10-pack smoke alarm bundle into two separate groups by having 5 alarms in one property and 5 in another property (each group functioning independently of the other). You can even purchase extra ZEN alarms to add into a bundle pack group and make it bigger. It’s fully flexible and up to you to decide. Configuring a new interconnected fire alarm group takes less than 2 minutes – our ZEN Quick-Start video shows how!
How do I tell if my smoke alarms are interconnected?
It is not possible to tell if smoke alarms are interconnected simply by looking at them. There is one certain way to find out if smoke alarms are interconnected though, and that is by testing them. Press the test button once on any smoke alarm in the group (or use the optional remote control), and if they are interconnected then all smoke alarms should activate their audible alarm and flashing red LED, usually within about 5 seconds of the first one starting.
How do I stop my interconnected smoke alarms going off?
As per Australian Standard 3786:2014, all ZEN interconnected smoke alarms will activate their audible alarm when smoke is detected by any one alarm in the group, however, only the source alarm detecting the real smoke will also flash its visual red LED – this allows you to quickly identify which room the fire may be located in. Additionally, if all ZEN interconnected smoke alarms are going off, pressing the silence button on any alarm in the group (or by using the remote control) will silence them, except for the one source alarm which is detecting the real smoke, again allowing you to instantly identify which room or area where the problem is located. Pressing the silence button a second time will then silence all interconnected smoke alarms in the group. Easy.
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