Reliable Smoke Alarms 240v Hard Wired

drspy00 on 02/11/2025 - 00:13

Having a big problem finding good smoke alarms, and they have shot up in price so I don't want to buy a set that turn out to be a bad buy.

First place would be bunnings, but all the ones available on the bunnings site have bad to terrible reviews even with reputable brands. Current smoke alarms are very old and now going off at random times so need to replace ASAP. Also have a problem with little insects getting in, or maybe its due to years worth of insects attracted to them causing them to go off at 3am.

I was about to buy one that seemed reasonable on ebay but can't find any information or reviews. Theres hundreds of different types that are from no name or random name brands

For something that is the law to have it would be great if there was some basic ones that are guaranteed to be safe and work. The "updates" to technology actually seem to be causing more problems in the reviews with bad batteries, as most are just the 10 year inbuilt battery which I would rather avoid because the 240v ones have worked for decades with no issues until now and its usually the low battery that causes them to go off randomly.

Or should I just take a gamble and assume they will all be ok?

Home & Garden Smoke Alarm

Comments

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  • Hybroid on 02/11/2025 - 00:37

    Hard-wired smoke alarms must be installed by a licensed electrician. Ask the sparky that will be installing them which one they recommend. They’ll know better.

    • drspy00 on 02/11/2025 - 01:44
      +2

      Thanks but that wasn't the question. Had electricians install things and they often provide things that are cheap, but charge a big profit margin which is why I'm asking about the smoke alarms, then will arrange installation after.

  • payless69 on 02/11/2025 - 04:55
    +1

    One of tenants most complained issues:
    False alarms!

    I used the largest contractor: They used double sticky tape to hold one up.
    It lasted less than a week, hanging on the 240V wires…

    • drspy00 on 02/11/2025 - 15:03
      +1

      Hence why I am ok to diy, seen some of the abysmal work from electricians, drilling holes into water pipes, waste pipes, so I think of that every time someone says call an electrician because its the law and safer…..

      • payless69 on 02/11/2025 - 15:20

        the 10 year wifi li battery system is stil the best option!

        • drspy00 on 02/11/2025 - 15:59

          What one is that?

          • payless69 on 03/11/2025 - 11:45

            @drspy00: I found a set on ebay
            set it up,
            filmed it in action how if one goes off the others beep too
            conveyancing took it for granted but it is in qld

  • piertlethed on 02/11/2025 - 11:31
    +1

    I would suggest looking at https://redsmokealarms.com.au/. I believe works well (I haven't had a real situation where my house has almost burnt down yet), with the corridor mounted control switch to turn off the alarm if needed.

    Personally I use the 10 year lithium batteries, because the smoke alarm unit itself has to be replaced after 10 years. Well, has to be legally replaced by a landlord or if the building is sold. I guess in a home the homeowner might ignore that law. South Australia doesn't appear to have the same laws on this that other states do. If you're not in SA, then maybe check your local state laws about replacing after 10 years.

    You might also want to consider the potential impact on your house fire insurance if the alarms are not legally compliant after 10 years.

    But yes, I agree to never install another smoke alarm that requires annual battery changes.

    • drspy00 on 02/11/2025 - 15:07

      I saw those and they look good compared to some others. The insect guards are good also. Its happened 3 times now, certain humidity is attracting these tiny insects.

      Yes these ones are well due for replacement, but we have had other non powered ones up which go off all the time due to low battery even when a new one is put in. Not sure if it would affect insurance, but its a good thing to have just incase. Theyre only meant to wake you up if theres a fire.

      • piertlethed on 02/11/2025 - 18:04
        +1

        Well, Red cover a low/failed 10-year battery as a direct part of their 10 year warranty so presumably they have worked out what is needed. It isn't really that hard to put in a slightly bigger lithium battery than is needed to last 10 years just for them to be sure.

        But it does say that the alarms should be carefully cleaned every 4 - 6 weeks to ensure insects or dust don't affect the alarm.

  • Daniel Plainview on 03/11/2025 - 14:14

    OP,

    Unless I'm mistaken don't all smoke alarms technically NEED to be replaced after 10yrs use, due to the radioactive isotopes in them being past their best?

    Therefore, even if it is a hardwired alarm (which will have a battery backup in it as well) - you will still technically need to replace it - so IMHO (and I did this myself) just get a decent quality lithium powered unit and replace after a decade.

    AI backs me up on this when asked when to replace it states:

    Every 10 years: All smoke alarms, regardless of whether they are hard-wired or battery-powered, have a 10-year lifespan and must be replaced every 10 years from the date of installation because their sensors degrade over time and become less effective at detecting smoke.

    • drspy00 on 03/11/2025 - 16:53

      Definitely due for a replacement, but some have been replaced with new battery ones which go off all the time. Put the hard wired in the too hard basket but can see how its done now.

  • metalslaw on 04/11/2025 - 12:50

    When we got our solar battery installed, we got a new wired smoke alarm hooked in, because apparently some insurance policies require that smoke alarm installations be carried out by a licensed electrician in order for a claim to be valid, if a fire happens.

    Didn't really investigate that, but it's good to know, as we do have house insurance.

    Anyway, the smoke alarm we got installed was the SASMH9V model from Voltex.

    Product page,
    https://www.voltexelectrical.com.au/p-5119-240v-hard-wired-p…

    We were quoted about $200, and a little bit more to install. I found a page selling them, (we didn't buy one from here, but the price is the same, so we know we didn't get ripped off),
    https://atdelectrical.com.au/product/voltex-240v-hard-wired-…

    We were adamant that we wanted a smoke alarm that would not start giving false alarms after 6 months (like bunnings ones, of any brand), and the salesman recommended this Voltex one.

    When the installer came, we asked if he's had any issues with these ones, and he was pretty happy to recommend the product based on his experience with them, as he said they don't have any issues with these ones.

    Of course, have to take all this with a grain of salt, and we hope it all works out long term.

    But we have had it for roughly a year now, and haven't had a single false alarm.

    7 year warranty, so seems hopefully it will last the distance.

    So, may worth looking into.

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