Every apartment is fitted with multiple interconnected 240V battery-backed ionisation smoke alarms located on the ceiling.
These alarms will provide an audible alarm at all locations in the event of an alarm occurring. If the protective cover is still in place on moving-in, please remove it.
Testing your smoke alarm
- Perform a visual inspection of the smoke alarm
- A RED flashing neon light every 40 seconds indicates that the smoke alarm is operating normally, and the device is ready for smoke detection. This is a very faint flash and only visible through the vents on the side of the alarm.
- Perform a Push Button Test – Press the button on the face of any alarm for approximately 2 seconds to test. The alarm will sound 3 short beeps, followed by a 1.5 second pause, then will repeat, until the button is released.
After a few seconds, all of the other smoke alarms in your apartment should enter the ‘interconnect test’ mode, upon which the interconnected units will sound for 10 seconds, followed by a flashing RED LED, visible through the front face of the unit. Flashing frequency will be twice per second with audible signal every second for 10 seconds. This will continue for 5 minutes after which all units will resume normal operation.
All alarms should be tested weekly to ensure correct operation.
- Cleaning – The smoke detector should be cleaned monthly to ensure it is free from dust or dirt. The smoke detector can be vacuumed or cleaned with a soft brush to remove dust or dirt. Please ensure the smoke detector is tested again after cleaning. Residents residing in coastal properties may need to undertake more frequent cleaning due to higher humidity and salt exposure which can increase the likelihood of false alarms occurring.
- If the device sounds an audible beep at approximately 40 second intervals, then this may mean that the battery needs replacing. Remove the device from the ceiling by simply pulling the alarm from its casing that is fixed to the ceiling. Replace the battery at the rear of the device and reinsert the device back into the ceiling housing.
- It is recommended that battery replacement be undertaken annually and then re-tested each time. This device requires a 9 Volt DC carbon zinc or alkaline battery which may initially be in the smoke detector but needs to be installed.
The individual smoke detectors within your apartment are not connected to the fire brigade (also known as Queensland Fire & Emergency Services or QFES).
The smoke alarms in the lobbies on every apartment level will trigger Kensington’s emergency warning systems and deliver an evacuation alert via the ceiling speaker installed within your apartment. If you have burned any cooking etc, please do not open your front door to air the smoke.
The thermal alarms in the common areas are triggered by the presence of heat, activating the building alarm, fire sprinklers and also alerting the fire brigade.
To silence your smoke alarms
- If the alarm sounds, first ensure there is no danger. Do not assume it is a false alarm. Carefully check all surrounds for the presence of smoke.
- Once it has been determined there is no danger, press the button for 2 seconds. The alarm will enter ‘silence’ mode for approx. 10 minutes. The RED LED will flash once every 8 seconds during this time.
- After 10 minutes the alarm will resume normal operation. If the source of the nuisance alarm is still present (eg insects, burnt toast, etc) the alarm will sound again.
- The ‘silence’ mode feature can be repeated as many times as necessary.