October 2024 – rupicodes

Your Guide to Buying Interconnected Smoke Alarms in New Zealand

New Standards: November 2024
From November 2024, interconnected smoke alarms will become mandatory in all household units across New Zealand. These alarms are designed to work in unison—if one detects smoke or fire, all linked alarms will activate, alerting everyone, no matter where they are in the house. This shift aligns with NZS 4514:202, which defines guidelines for alarm installation, maintenance, and proper detector types to minimize false alarms.

Why Choose Interconnected Smoke Alarms?

Safety
If one alarm detects smoke, **all alarms activate** simultaneously, giving residents more time to escape.
This increases safety by ensuring everyone in the household is alerted, even if they are far from the fire’s origin.

Flexible Options
Hardwired Systems: Ideal for new builds, these alarms are wired into the home’s electrical system and linked through cabling.
Wireless Models: A great option for existing homes, these alarms communicate via radio frequency, making installation quick and cost-effective.

Compliance Requirements for Smoke Alarms

All interconnected smoke alarms installed in New Zealand must meet one of the following standards:
– AS 3786
– UL 217
– CAN/ULC S531
– BS EN 14604
– ISO 12239

When purchasing smoke alarms, ask for an SDOC (Supplier Declaration of Conformity) or consult an electrician to ensure compliance with New Zealand regulations.

Installation Guidelines

Smoke alarms must be placed strategically for maximum coverage:
Inside every bedroom
In hallways and living areas
On every floor of multi-story homes

Avoid placing alarms in the following locations to prevent false alarms or reduced functionality:
Near vents, air-conditioning units, or open windows
Within 300 mm of light fittings

If unsure about placement, consult a qualified electrician for advice based on your home’s layout.

Maintenance and Testing

To ensure optimal performance, follow these maintenance tips:
Monthly Testing: Press the “test” button to confirm the alarm is working.
Six-Month Cleaning: Use a soft brush to remove dust, cobwebs, and insects. Avoid liquid cleaners to prevent damage.
Top Interconnected Smoke Alarms to Consider

1. Wireless 10-Year Lithium Battery Interconnect Smoke Alarm
-Type: Photoelectric sensor for detecting slow-burning fires.
Features: Test button, hush feature, infrared silence option, alarm/fault indicator lights.
Connectivity: Supports up to 24 linked units.
Compliance: Certified to AS 3786:2014.
Battery Life: 10 years with a sealed lithium battery.
Warranty: 10 years.

2. Wireless Interconnect Smoke Alarm with Photoelectric Sensor
Ideal For: Bedrooms, living areas, and hallways.
Features: Hush mode, low battery warning, extra loud alarm tone.
Design: Available in black or white upon request.
Compliance: Meets NZS 4514:2021 and the NZ Building Code.
Battery: Long-life lithium battery built-in.
Warranty: 10 years.

Where to Buy Interconnected Smoke Alarms in NZ

1. Sparky Shop
Sparky Shop offers a range of high-quality interconnected smoke alarms from trusted brands like ORCA, GT Performance, and Brilliant.

2. Home Improvement Stores
Bunnings, Warehouse and Mitre10 stock various alarm models suitable for household needs.

3. Electrical Contractors
– Many electricians supply and install interconnected alarms, ensuring professional advice and installation tailored to your home.

It can be challenging to find the right type of LED downlights for indoor purposes. There are so many features to consider before selecting the right product at a reasonable price.

1. Location

The first factor to consider is where you’ll install the downlights—whether it’s the kitchen, bathroom, or living area. Based on the location, different requirements come into play. For example, if you are installing downlights in a bathroom, you’ll need to opt for waterproof downlights with a higher IP rating, such as IP65, to ensure safety against moisture.

2. Wattage

Wattage affects the brightness of your lighting. The general rule is: higher wattage = brighter light. For areas like kitchens and living rooms where lighting needs to be bright and evenly spread, 10W to 12W downlights work well. However, if the area is smaller or intended for accent lighting, lower wattages like 6W to 8W might be sufficient.

3. Beam Angle

The beam angle determines how widely the light is distributed. Most downlights come with beam angles between 80° to 100°. A larger beam angle provides more spread-out light, making it ideal for general illumination. Conversely, narrower angles (e.g., 40°) are better for spotlighting or highlighting specific features like artworks.

4. Dimmable Options

Some LED downlights offer dimmable features, allowing you to adjust the brightness according to your preference. Dimmable lights are great for living rooms or bedrooms, where you may want a cozy, softer light at times. Just ensure your electrical system supports dimming switches compatible with the downlights.

5. IP Rating

The IP (Ingress Protection) rating measures how well a product is protected from dust and water. If you are installing lights in areas prone to moisture—like bathrooms or outdoor spaces—look for IP65-rated downlights. For general indoor spaces, an IP44 rating should suffice.

6. Colour Temperature (CCT)

LED downlights often feature selectable colour temperatures, typically ranging from 3000K (warm white) to 6000K (cool white).

3000K: Warm, cozy ambiance, suitable for bedrooms and living rooms.
4000K: Neutral white light, ideal for kitchens or workspaces.
6000K: Cool white, great for task-oriented areas such as garages or laundry rooms.

7. Warranty

LED lights are designed to last a long time, but it’s always good to check the warranty. A longer warranty period (like 3-5 years) indicates higher reliability and ensures peace of mind if there are manufacturing defects or performance issues.

Some of the stores to consider when purchasing downlights. in New Zealand. These stores are recommended by experts and customers.

Month: October 2024

Best Interconnect smoke alarms 2024 in NZ

How to find the right indoor downlights?