Electrical Connection Summer 2016

22 / 116

22 E L EC TR I C AL CONNEC T I ON SUMME R 20 1 6
Savery, said: “There’s very little
difference [between the two detector
types] at the end of the day in terms
of adequate warning. The board is not
satisfied at this stage that it needs to
make any further changes to the code.
“It hasn’t been demonstrated to the
board’s satisfaction that one performs
better in all circumstances over the other
and the board doesn’t delineate between
different types of products.
“If there was an overwhelming
body of evidence that that was the
case then the board would give that
serious consideration, but that won’t
be reflected at the mandating of a
particular product.”
Interestingly, and perhaps a little
confusingly, photoelectric smoke
detectors have been mandated in
commercial buildings and hospitals
since May 2004, but the ABCB has been
outwardly dismissive of making the
same ruling for the residential market.
Adrian says he just doesn’t
understand this position.
“Why would the ABCB pass
legislation to mandate the installation
of photoelectric smoke detectors in all
shopping centres, hotels and hospitals
but not for homes?
“The Queensland Government has
even released a flyer called Wake Up To
Photoelectric Smoke Alarms, which tells
people they should replace ionisation
alarms. But the ABCB still somehow
refuses to make a change to the NCC.”
A CHANGING TIDE
The issue first made national
headlines in 2004 after A Current
Affair, then hosted by Ray Martin, ran
an exposé on the technology.
But it wasn’t until last year that
it finally appeared that people
were listening.
On 4 December 2015, at a Senate
Hearing into smoke alarms, Fire &
Rescue NSW commissioner Greg
Mullins said: “Only photoelectric smoke
alarms should be allowed [to be sold].
My personal view is that ionisation
alarms should be banned and that the
standard itself is flawed.”
Commissioner Mullins is arguably
Australia’s most senior fire
official, serving as president of the
Australasian Fire and Emergency
Service Authorities Council (AFAC).
AFAC is the peak representative
body of all A/NZ fire brigades.
Since the hearing, Commissioner
Mullins has stated on national TV and
in newspaper reports that ionisation
alarms should be banned.
Subsequently, in June 2016,
the Queensland Government passed
legislation mandating the installation
of photoelectric alarms.
Every Queensland residence will
need to be fitted with photoelectric,
interconnected smoke alarms in all
bedrooms and hallways of new dwellings.
The Minister for Police, Fire and
Emergency Services, Bill Byrne, says
it won’t matter which part of a house
catches fire, the alarm closest to the
occupants will sound.
“If you are asleep, an alarm will sound
in your room, even if the area is closed
off to the rest of the house.
“Research shows that photoelectric,
interconnected smoke alarms are
the most effective on the market for
alerting people early.”
Mr Byrne says a 10-year phased
rollout of the legislation would allow
ample time for everyone to have alarms
installed correctly.
“Hard-wired, interconnected
photoelectric smoke alarms will require
a qualified electrician to conduct the
installation and ensure that alarms are
working as they should.
“There is also an option to install
photoelectric alarms with a 10-year
lithium battery that have the capability
to achieve interconnectedness
wirelessly. This option may be more
suitable for Queenslanders living in
remote areas where attendance of an
electrician could be difficult.”
All houses being built or
substantially renovated must comply
with the smoke alarm legislation upon
completion after 1 January 2017. All
houses leased or sold must comply
after five years, and all owner-
occupied private dwellings must
comply within 10 years. Any smoke
alarm replacement after 1 January
2017 must involve a photoelectric unit.
After 17 years of fighting to have
ionisation alarms banned, Adrian
says he is delighted by Queensland’s
new law.
“People tend to think I’m a zealot
and don’t know what I’m talking about.
Everything I say can be backed up with
documented evidence.
“I don’t sell smoke alarms, and I don’t
solicit or accept donations. And now
I just want this whole thing to come
to a head because it has gone on far
too long. Too many people have died,
and I don’t want to keep on doing this
campaign. It needs to be over.
“Actually, it should have been over
40 years ago.
“The scary thing is that most of the
people reading this article will go to bed
with a smoke alarm on their ceiling that
is nothing more than an ornament.”
> The World Fire Safety Foundation
Most of the people reading this articlewill go to go to bed
with a smoke alarmon their ceiling that is nothingmore
than an ornament.