Alarms chirping at 3am for no clear reason, units older than ten years still fitted, or a rental property that needs compliance sorted before the next inspection. Smoke alarms are one of those things nobody thinks about until they’re going off in the middle of the night or a tenancy inspection flags them.
Why this comes up
A low battery, or a unit simply past its ten-year service life.
Alarms that aren’t interconnected, so one going off doesn’t wake the rest of the house.
A rental compliance requirement or upcoming tenancy inspection.
Renovating and needing alarms repositioned or added to new rooms.
A new baby or family member moving in, prompting a check of the property’s safety basics.
An insurance policy or landlord requirement specifying interconnected alarms.
How we handle it
Check placement against current requirements, since most older homes fall short.
Install interconnected optical alarms so they all sound together, not just the one nearest the fire.
Advise on the best mix of hardwired and battery-backup units for your specific property layout.
Test every unit individually and the interconnection between them.
Provide the compliance documentation for your records or your landlord.
What to expect
Usually a couple of hours for a standard home. Interconnected wireless units avoid running new cable through finished ceilings, which keeps disruption minimal. We’ll also talk you through the difference between hardwired and battery-backup interconnected systems, since the right choice depends on your ceiling access and budget.
What it costs
Priced per alarm, with a lower cost per unit when several are done together in the one visit. If you’re only replacing one or two ageing units rather than the whole set, we’ll price that separately rather than pushing a full-house replacement you don’t need.
Common questions
How often should they be replaced?
Every ten years, and the date is stamped on the back of the unit if you want to check yours.
Why does it chirp with a fresh battery?
Usually the unit itself is past its ten-year life and needs replacing, not just a new battery.
Do all alarms need to be interconnected?
Current requirements generally expect it in most properties, particularly rentals. One alarm going off should wake the whole house, not just one room.
Can I install smoke alarms myself?
Battery units, yes. Hardwired interconnected systems need a qualified electrician, both for compliance and because they’re tied into the property’s wiring.
Optical or ionisation, which is better?
Optical is the current standard. It responds faster to smouldering fires, which are the more common house fire, and it has far fewer false alarms from cooking.
Do I need a smoke alarm in every bedroom?
Current requirements generally call for one in every bedroom plus one in hallways connecting bedrooms to the rest of the house, and we’ll confirm exactly what applies to your property.
Can smoke alarms trigger a false alarm from steam?
Optical units near a bathroom occasionally do. Repositioning slightly further from the door usually solves it without losing coverage.