Defect type
Moderate · 2–3/5
Ionisation-Type Smoke Alarm Still Installed
I identified ionisation-chamber smoke alarms in service rather than the photoelectric type now preferred by Queensland, NSW, and WA fire authorities and referenced in AS 3786. In my experience ionisation units respond slowly to smouldering furnishings and bedding, which is the dominant night-time fire scenario, and I recommend replacing them at the ten-year alarm refresh.
Causes
- Original alarms installed prior to the industry shift toward photoelectric-only guidance
- Replacement unit purchased from older stock without checking the sensor type
- Insurance or landlord replacement done on price alone rather than technology
Symptoms to look for
- Label or moulding on the alarm reads 'ionisation' or shows the radiation trefoil
- Model number corresponds to a known ionisation product line
- No 'PE' or 'photoelectric' marking on the front face of the unit
Remedies
- Replace the ionisation unit with a photoelectric alarm compliant with AS 3786:2014
- Dispose of the old alarm through an e-waste stream that accepts radioactive americium sources
- Align the replacement cycle with the ten-year service life of all other alarms in the dwelling
Moderate
Worth asking our inspector about this specifically.
This is common across Perth stock and usually fixable without drama, but the scope of the fix varies. Every SURE inspection includes 12 months of free advice. Call out the defect by name and we check for it directly.
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