WWW.THESENTINELNEWS.COM.AU New South Wales Rural Fire Service WORKING Smoke Alarms Save Lives NSW legislation states all residential buildings have at least one working smoke alarm per floor and one where people sleep. Manufacturers advise replacing smoke alarms every 10 years. Residents are being encouraged to replace their older smoke alarms with photoelectric smoke alarms - the type now widely recommended by Australian fire services. In New South Wales, smoke alarms hardwired into a home’s 240V mains power must comply with specific maintenance, testing, and replacement regulations to ensure they are functional and legal. • Monthly Testing: Press the test button on each alarm for at least five seconds to ensure the battery, electronics, and alarm sound are functional. • Cleaning (Every 3-6 Months): Vacuum dust and debris from the vents using a soft brush attachment to prevent false alarms and ensure sensors work correctly. • Annual Backup Battery Replacement: If the hardwired alarm uses a 9-volt backup battery, it must be replaced annually. Photoelectric smoke alarms Photoelectric smoke alarms ‘see’ the smoke. They detect visible particles of combustion, eg smoldering cigarette smoke. They respond to a wide range of fires, but they are particularly responsive to smoldering fires and the dense smoke given off by foam filled furnishings or overheated PVC wiring. Ionisation smoke alarms (what you probably have in your home now) Ionisation smoke alarms ‘feel’ the smoke. They detect invisible particles of combustion, eg from cooking toast. They activate more quickly for fast, flaming fires with little visible smoke. Alarms for the hearing-impaired There are specialised smoke alarms available for people who are Deaf or have a hearing impairment. These have a flashing strobe light and/or a vibrating pad that can be placed under the pillow which activate when the smoke alarm sounds and are designed to interconnect with conventional audible alarms in different locations within the home. If one of the alarms senses smoke, all alarms will sound, the strobe will flash and the vibrating pad will operate. We are out of the permit season of course but you will still need to abide by the same rules, you just don’t need the permit. You need to comply with the Dungog Council “Clean Air Policy”. You can find this on the council website. www.dungog.nsw.gov.au/council/council-documents/councilpolicies/control-open-burning Notify neighbours and the RFS 24 hours before lighting. THIS APPLIES ALL YEAR ROUND – EVEN OUT OF FIRE SEASON. Members of the public can now use their mobile phone or desktop computer to lodge their notifications about planned hazard reductions or burn offs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/notify. You can still lodge your notification during working hours at 4015 0000 if you are unable to go online. Your Bush Fire Survival Plan, Fire Danger Ratings, Bush Fire Alerts and Neighbourhood Safer Places can be found at www.rfs.nsw.gov.au PREPARE, ACT, SURVIVE. Stay safe until next time, Di Bennett OAM Lower Hunter Zone Community Engagement Team New South Wales Rural Fire Service
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