Frequently Asked Questions
I’m a Real Estate Property Manager, are you able to look after all of our owners’ homes for us?
Yes. We specialise in dealing with property managers with large rent rolls. We have a team large enough to help with any sized rent roll (30-3,000). See our testimonials for how we help other property managers just like you.
Do you provide any other services besides the smoke alarm compliancy check?
We do. We can also ensure safety switches (RCD’s) are checked, blind cords are made compliant and we have a qualified plumber on our books for any water compliance checks you would like done.
Please contact us if you would like more information and we can arrange a quote for a bundled service.
Do you service my area?
We service many areas in NSW, including Greater Sydney, Greater Wollongong, the Southern Highlands and the NSW South Coast. We also travel throughout regional NSW.
Do you provide a guarantee?
Yes. We guarantee to provide a quality product and service. Should you find a fault with either the smoke alarm itself or our workmanship, we offer you a free callout to rectify or fix it within twelve (12) months of the work taking place.
See our general onboarding guarantee also for your total peace of mind.
What about smoke alarms in short-term rental accommodation?
From 30 July 2021, all dwellings proposed to be used for short-term rental accommodation are required to be registered on the new STRA Register.
Registration ensures that all short-term rental dwellings satisfy the new fire safety standard, as well as having the ability to capture the number of days a dwelling is used for STRA.
We have qualified staff who will ensure your property meets these regulations.
What is actually involved in a smoke alarm compliance check?
- We survey the property to ensure that all smoke alarms are compliant
- We clean, test and maintain the smoke alarms as per manufacturers specifications including replacement of expired or faulty alarms
- Batteries are tested and replaced where required
- A Compliance Certificate is issued on completion of the work
Why does my smoke alarm go off sometimes when there is no smoke?
Most smoke alarm sounds fall into two categories: either your alarm beeps at regular intervals (chirping), or beeps consistently without stopping (sirening).
Chirping
Chirping is when the alarm beeps roughly once every 45-60 seconds. This is usually to indicate low battery power. Most of the time, the battery just needs to be replaced. If the alarm is a mains alarm, you might need to disconnect the alarm from its base or plug and remove the battery. Then hold the test button for 10 seconds to drain the alarm of residual power before putting a new battery in.
Sirening
Sirening is when the alarm beeps consistently without stopping. This usually indicates smoke has triggered the sensor in the smoke alarm. If an alarm is sirening for no reason it will most likely need replacing.
Other commonly found issues with smoke alarms:
Flashing Red
This is completely normal across all alarms as long as there is no sound. If this is accompanied by a chirp every 45-60 seconds then the battery may need replacing.
Flashing Green
On a mains-powered alarm, this is normal and simply means that it is connected to the mains power.
No LED
On a mains-powered alarm, this likely means that the LED light has simply stopped working. It may also mean the alarm is not connected properly to the mains, in which case, it will use the battery until it goes flat. The smoke alarm will need to be replaced or the wiring will need to be checked to ensure power is connected to the smoke alarm.
How can I stop a beeping smoke alarm?
Keep smoke alarms clean
Dirt and insects are very common reasons for smoke detectors going off inappropriately. Physical obstructions can interact with the sensor and cause your smoke alarm to activate.
For a quick solution, carefully dust and vacuum your smoke alarm to remove dirt. You can also spray insect repellent around the alarm (avoid spraying the alarm directly!) to deter bugs.
Ventilate for steam and fumes
Steam and cooking fumes can cause smoke alarms to go off. Shut bathroom and laundry doors to contain steam, use the exhaust fan when cooking and open up doors and windows for ventilation. If you’re using the toaster or another portable appliance, point them away from the smoke detector if possible.
Manage humidity
In high humidity, condensation can cause water vapours to form and cause the alarm to react as it would to smoke vapour. If you suspect this is happening you can dry the smoke alarm yourself by gently blowing a hair dryer through it to evaporate moisture.
Rapid air movement
Another common culprit is rapid air movement created by fans or fan heaters, so point portable fans, heaters, radiators and air conditioning ducts away from smoke alarms.
Power issues
The most common power issue is that the battery is low and needs to be replaced. Power surges can also cause hardwired smoke alarms to beep. It should resolve itself after the power issue has passed, but if not you can try resetting the power by flipping it off and on again at your circuit box.
Where should smoke alarms be installed?
The Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 2000 says that smoke alarms need to be installed in all buildings in NSW where people sleep. The legislation says landlords are responsible for ensuring their properties meet the minimum requirement of having at least
one smoke alarm on each level of a property.
The smoke alarms installed must also meet the requirements of Australian Standard AS 3786, Smoke Alarms.
Smoke detectors must be placed in:
- Hallways near bedrooms
- If bedrooms are in different parts of the house, you must have alarms in each location
- If there are no hallways connecting bedrooms, alarms must be installed between the part of the home containing the bedroom and the rest of the house
- Each level of your home, even levels without bedrooms
I’m a Real Estate Property Manager, are you able to look after hundreds of owners homes for us?
Yes. We specialise in dealing with property managers with large rent rolls. We have a team large enough to help in any sized rent roll (30-3,000). See our testimonials for how we help other property managers just like you.
How do I know if I have an old or new style smoke alarm?
If you’re unsure whether your smoke alarm is the battery only, 9-volt type alarm or the hardwired 240-volt alarm, here’s how to tell: Look for the green indicator light that shines constantly on hardwired 240-volt smoke alarms. We are of course able to service and replace both types where necessary.
Are you insured?
Absolutely. As part of our onboarding process with property managers, we supply our insurance details.
Do you have electricians on staff?
Absolutely. A hardwired smoke alarm will only be replaced by one of our many friendly and qualified electricians.
Do you provide a compliance certificate?
Yes. Once the job has been completed you will receive the compliance certificate that very day, so no more chasing up trades or wondering if a job has been completed yet!
Do you provide any other services?
Yes. We don’t just look after smoke alarm compliance. We also perform water compliance, blind cord compliance and safety switch testing.
If you are interested in these services, please just get in touch and we can discuss how we incorporate any/all of these according to what you need.
Are your call centres based overseas?
No! All communication with yourselves and with tenants are all done from our local team.
We assign a friendly client manager to you to ensure you can always speak to the same person each time if or when you need to.