• out of stock

Emerald Planet Smoke Alarm 10 Years Battery with Wireless Interconnect $49.50 + Delivery ($0 QLD C&C) @ Homewatch Security

370

Since the QLD smoke alarm legislation change is looming I started looking for the best value smoke alarms that will comply with the new law.
Browsing on different brands and shops, by far Emerald is the cheapest I can find with a good reputation. Some alarm company quoting me $120 each supply install using exactly the same thing.
Then I found this for under $50 each which IMO is an absolute bargain. Next cheapest is $66 from ebay
Saved me close to $500 for doing it myself.

PSA and Clipsal is also good brand but they are over $100 a pop it just a bit ridiculous especially you have to buy multiple.

The hard wire one is also a good bargain if you need it but you need a sparky to install it.
Emerald 240V hardwire smoke alarm with 10 years battery backup + RF interconnect module included $49.95
Other shops sell the alarm alone at around $70 plus RF module sold separately for $30

Emerald smoke alarm controller $27.5
Optional. Next cheapest $35

Free click and collect at Shailer Park.

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  • +2

    Very Nice deal and would probably buy 4-5 them, but do you think if you install them by yourself you will still be covered in instance of fire by the insurance ? I thought you have to get them installed by a licensed electrician?

    • +2

      You can DIY the 10 years battery ones. There is no wire to connect, just screw the base to the ceiling and clip the smoke alarm on.
      Edit: you may want to program the interconnect before clip them on the ceiling.

      • Other tip is that most wireless interconnect units you choose a master, then interconnect off that. Good idea to write master on the underside of it, then install this one in the master bedroom. So the master is in the master.

        If you dont do this, and you have to reset them or one doesnt interconnect properly, you may have to start again. If you dont know which one the master is then this becomes very very hard. Speaking from hours of earsplitting setting/resetting/setting again.

  • Didn't know they came with 10 year battery life. TIL.

    Strata in my building send someone over to replace the entire unit annually. No idea why.

    • In a lot of instances it's not strata and instead the agreement your landlord has with your property manager. The property manager receive a kick-back, and for $99 per year, most landlords will pay it. Depending on state as well the onus to change smoke alarm battery is now on the landlord with annual checks mandated.

      It still begs the question why the whole unit is replaced instead of just the battery being swapped (or simply inspected), however.

      • Good point. It's mandated by building management and they call it a "smoke alarm repair" although nothing wrong with existing one nor reported to be faulty. Same notice sent to all apartments.

        Dear Resident,

        In accordance with Australian standards and Government legislation, all fire rated doors and smoke detectors must be inspected and certified annually.

        We have arranged technicians to come and do the inspection on […]

        Please provide access on the day that the inspection of your door and smoke alarm repair is to be carried out.

        Arrange someone at home (At Home)
        Leave key with office (Key in office)

        This inspection is compulsory. If access is not provided, the fire protection company will return at your own cost.

        They come in, open & close front door couple times to make sure it self-closes properly, take off old smoke alarm, install new one (different model but on same bracket) then can spray something to test it.

        Replaced twice in 3 years. Less than 2 mins job.

        Maybe there's a recall or known fault with them. Maybe creating more work for themselves as you say.

  • Non removable lithium battery. So after 10 year you need to replace the whole unit

    • +2

      Much the same as now.
      Normal smoke detectors are recommended to be replaced every 10 years, after using many batteries.

      Need to replace at least every 10 years by law for homeowners in Qld. Interconnected for all homeowners by 2027.

      Plastic mountings tend to fail by around then, in my experience.
      An installer said reliability of older units is the issue.

      Considering above comments of annual replacement of old style detectors - will save costs & labour of more frequent servicing.

      Much easier just replacing every 10 year on high ceilings, rather than replace / test battery every year!

      About to replace my 10 year old ones - considering interconnected system for safety. Considering renting / selling house, so need that to comply with new Qld legislation.

    • Law was changed after 11 died in a house fire. Seems detectors weren't operating correctly or batteries were flat / missing.
      Should not be an issue with these - at least for 10 years.

      Qld Rental properties require these or a wired interconnected smoke detector system from next year.

      These should save lives.

  • +1

    Does wireless interconnect mean that if one alarm goes off, all of them can join to make sure it is heard?

    Also, what technology does this use - Ionisation or Photoelectric? Having one that uses both technologies would be good.

    • +1

      Yes regarding interconnect.

      Photoelectric is the requirement now.

    • The Qld legislation specifically says it can't have ionisation tech.

      From 1 January 2027
      Smoke alarms in all dwellings must:
      i) be photoelectric (AS 3786-2014); and
      ii) not also contain an ionisation sensor; and

  • Qld Rental properties require an interconnected smoke detector system by 1/1/22.

    Installer neighbour said deadline is likely to be extended as there aren't enough installers available. Too much other work in housing boom. (Gave me a new old style 9V detector - as being phased out.)

    Different deadlines for selling property & homeowner use. Best to check.

    • +1

      Same date 1 Jan 2022 for sold property.
      Everything else (e.g. own house) is 1 Jan 2027.

      • Yes, correct. So many different rules to remember.
        Some came in 2017 - like no older than 10yr detectors for homeowners. That's why I'm upgrading. May rent or sell in near future.

        This is a better price than I found.

  • Discussion of some interconnected systems recommended checking volume of sound output. Some were considered less effective in an emergency. Something to consider, rather than just price.

  • Thanks, ordered 3. Have been wanting to get the Nest smoke alarms but even at $130, just seemed too expensive. This is great - also picked up a smoke alarm controller so I can silence it easily.

    https://homewatchsecurity.com.au/product/emerald-planet-smok…

  • +3

    Strongly recommend getting a controller for any interconnected system. We have 9 interconnected in our house, issue is when they go off its so loud there is no way of telling which one started it. Makes it hard to investigate and also to silence it during a false alarm.

  • Is it better than other photoelectric 10 year lithium battery smoke alarms from bunnings?

    What are the good reputation smoke alarm brands worth considering?

    • +1

      Its cheaper… Bunnings interconnected start @$70
      "10 year lithium battery smoke alarms" aren't necessarily interconnected & are cheaper.

  • Too late.. ☹️
    Hope they can restock at the sale price!

  • If you are willing to get a bulk pack, getting the older model from https://ipesmokealarms.com/product/10yr-battery-wireless-int… gets down to $52.45/each. Not sure about delivery cost, as it seems to be free for me in Brisbane.

    The controller is slightly cheaper on this model too.

    • This is 49.50 per unit, why buy bulk and the older model for more $$?

      • +1

        Think it was more that the "next cheapest" was $66 on ebay but is $62.95 delivered on the link I posted for the same model buying one. Rate drops to $57.45/ea for the bulk pack, or $52.45-56.95/ea for the older model. Getting 8 detectors + remote delivered from this deal versus older from my link is a saving of less than $5.

        Ive got the older model and to be honest - its a smoke detector. Who cares.

  • cheers, it's back in stock now (40 units atm), including the controller (8 units)

    • OOS again just now

  • I installed alot of them for a company for numerous residential properties, and followings
    are the points you need to consider before purchasing:

    • Unless, you are looking for wireless interconnected, there are cheaper options available in Bunnings.

    • 10 years battery will usually not last for that long and some customers reported they stopped after three years or so. That applies to good brands sometimes too.

    • Famous brands are vastly available and maintainable for warranty or repair unlike unknown brands

    • Lets not forget new brands may look fresh and fancy or cheaper but may not last long as famous brand because they tries to copy from others without paying attention to details.
      In this case, their hardwired one it looks robust but has failed the design factor so by changing the battery to may break the latch and become completely useless.

    To conclude:
    - Stick to famous brands even if you have to pay a bit extra. You can buy online for cheaper price as far as I know. Do not put yourself and family members at risk

    • strongly recommend to buy one with replaceable battery as they last longer, easy to maintain and less likely to fail.

    • hard wire is always better choice and it is just one time cost if wiring needed, but better assurance for your safety as they always work even when battery dies.

    • Hi Sydney Sparky,

      Until this post I had not heard of this brand of smoke detector, so will not dispute your claim that better known brands are more reliable.

      Looking at Wireless Interconnect smoke detectors at Bunnings, Quell seems to be a better known brand, and these sell for $89. The interesting thing with these is that they have different models for different parts of the house (eg Bunnings codes Hallway 0047102 Bedroom 0047103 Living 0047104), but it is difficult to work out if there is any difference between these or if it is just some sort of a marketing thing).

    • +2

      10 years battery will usually not last for that long and some customers reported they stopped after three years or so. That applies to good brands sometimes too.

      7 years warranty. I would demand a free replacement if they stopped working after 3 years under their warranty or ACL.
      If they market it a 10 years battery, it SHOULD last close to 10 years. Not 30% of that.

      • Agree 100%.

        I've got Family First alarms here (Sydney) - not interconnected - but they do come with a 10 year battery and a 10 year warranty.

  • +1

    Thanks OP, purchased 10 for my house. Thank God I didn't my the clipsal which is more then double the price

  • Out of stock lst me know when more come in

    • Back in stock. Just picked mine up now. Great guys to deal with

  • Btw, never buy smoke detectors from ALDI, I bought 5 and they all failed in the same manner. That's pretty low selling a smoke detector that breaks just like all other crap they sell that breaks. You'd think safety equipment would be different. they were even sold as premium smoke detectors

    • Do you have any more detail? How did they fail?

      • That is the positive I suppose, They failed in the middle of the night (coincidence maybe) by detecting smoke where there is none and alarm going off. They are the optical version not radiation. I blew them out with compressed air incase the sensor was detecting dust but there no dust. After 3 all failed within about 6 weeks I threw them all out.

        • I had the same with a reputable branded Costco set - false alarm in the middle of the night which was pretty terrifying! Ended up replacing with photosensitive ones and never had an issue.

  • Strange… I went to order another 2, but there doesnt seem to be a click collect option anymore…

    • +1

      Looks like the C&C option is based on the postcode entered. Just enter a different postcode maybe?

      • Cheers for that..

  • what's the expiry on these and how easy would it be to get a replacement in the future?

  • I'm trying to find information on who can fit these in a rental property. My property is in Cairns, I'm in Sydney and hence at the mercy of my agent (who I know is getting a kickback as that's how these things go).

    They've recommended their sparky install Brookes hardwired units at $207 each. I'll need 6 or 7 in the house so not a small amount.

    Obviously the hardwired units need the sparky but I can't find anything in the legislation that says I can't buy wireless interconnected units and have a handyman install them.

    The whole smoke alarm thing has been a bug bear with me and a point of dispute between me and my agent for years. Annual cost of $200 for a sparky to test the smoke alarms and change the battery. I'm wondering if they just walk in, press the test button and change the alarm battery.

  • The wireless interconnect is the way the smoke alarms talk to each other.

    The two options are battery, or hardwired. I believe QLD legislation states that they need to be hardwired.

    If you have existing hard wired units and they're just being upgraded, this was a great deal. A sparky shouldn't be charging you more than ~$30 each to swap them over.

    I received mine a while ago now, and they've all been installed. No false alarms thus far!

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