The Times Australia
Small Business News

.

Top 5 Common Causes of Fire Alarm Failure

  • Written by Geordie Killen


The two most common causes of extensive fire damage are:

1. No installed fire alarm and fire system protection.

2. Installed fire alarm did not work.

 

Having a working fire alarm system is crucial in every fire incident. It could save lives, prevent the fire from spreading and minimise the damage. A fire alarm works by alerting the people that a fire has started. When smoke gets into the smoke alarm, it sends out high-pitched alarm signals to let people know that there's a fire.

 

Therefore, not only is it important to have fire alarms installed, it is also important to make sure they are working. There have been several cases wherein the fire alarms did not go off or not working, and this caused the damage to blow up. There are also cases when people died.

 

So what are the common causes of faulty fire alarms?

 

Dirty Fire Alarms.

Smoke detectors and fire alarms are stationary. Once they are installed in a certain place, it will be difficult to move unless there is renovations going on. So they just stay there on the wall or on the ceiling, gathering all kinds of debris. These materials tamper with the sensitivity of the device, causing faulty detection. Some of the common materials that tamper with detectors include dust, dirt, lint and small insects.

 

When these materials buildup, it either increases the incidence of false alarms or reduces the sensitivity of the device. If you don't do regular maintenance of your fire alarms, the problem could snowball and leave your alarms useless in the long run.

 

Very High Ceilings

One of the most common places where fire alarms are installed is the ceiling. However, high ceilings can pose a problem for heat detectors and smoke alarms? Why? The fire alarm is located in a very high place and it would take a long time for the smoke to reach the top. Plus, the heat from the fire cools down as it rises, making it difficult for fire alarms to detect it.

 

There is also the stratification phenomenon where a pocket of smoke just hovers below the ceiling, thus not reaching the alarm. Fire alarms installed on the ceiling are also hard to maintain and clean.

 

Wrong Fire System Installed

Building codes determine what type of fire system and how many fire protection equipment should be installed, depending on the type of building. The building code was designed to provide a minimum level of safety to the building. This is important especially for building owners, managers and builders who have no idea what type of business is going to occupy the place. A building owner or manager should be aware of who will use the space and adapt to have the proper and suitable fire protection system installed. For example, a space occupied by a restaurant will have a different level of fire protection needs from that of a space occupied by a bank or an office.

 

Poor Maintenance.

Fire protection systems should be regularly maintained to keep them 100% working. However, you should follow the manufacturer’s instructions in cleaning the equipment to make sure you don’t damage the alarms. Aside from dusting and cleaning up the fire alarms, the occupants should also check if test the fire alarms by pushing the Test button.


Expired Battery.

If you’re doing the monthly test of your fire alarms, you’ll know when the battery is poor or not functioning. In this case, you have to replace the battery. You should also schedule an annual change of battery to make sure they are replaced regularly.

 

About the Author

Geordie Killen

Managing Director at Control Fire Protection

Control Fire Protection is an industry leader and provider of complete fire protection services in New South Wales.

 

Property Times

Duke of Dural to Get Rooftop Bar as New Owners Invest in Venue Upgrade

The Duke of Dural, in Sydney’s north-west, is set for a major uplift under new ownership, following its acquisition by hospitality group Good Beer Company this week. Led by respected private hotelier John Azar, the Good Beer Company has a proven t...

Top Tips for Finding the Ideal Block to Build Your Home

There’s something deeply personal and exciting about building your own home. You’re not just choosing paint colours or furniture, you’re creating a space that reflects your lifestyle, your dreams, and your future. However, before you start sketchin...

The Home Buying Process Explained Step by Step

Buying a home is a thrilling milestone, but it can also feel like navigating a maze without a map. With paperwork, finances, and decisions at every turn, understanding the home-buying process is crucial for success. Whether you're a first-time buye...

Thinking of Selling Your Home? Here’s What You Need to Know

Selling a home is more than just putting up a “For Sale” sign. It’s a strategic process that involves preparation, pricing, and negotiation - all aimed at getting the best value for your property. Let’s go through the most important steps to take b...

Food & Dining

Onsite Caterer vs a Full Service Venue: 9 important things to explore

Choosing between an external catering company and an all-inclusive venue is a major decision that affects cost, flexibility, food quality, and the overall event experience. Venues with in-house catering offer convenience and streamlined coordinatio...

Meal Prep as Self-Care? The One Small Habit That Could Improve Your Mood, Focus & Confidence

What if the secret to feeling calmer, more focused, and emotionally resilient wasn’t found in a supplement or self-help book — but in your fridge? That’s the surprising link uncovered by leading dietitians Anna Debenham and Alex Parker from The Biti...

Cult Favourite, TokyoTaco, Opens Beachfront at Mooloolaba this June

FREE Tokyo Tacos to Celebrate!  Cult favourite Japanese-Mexican restaurant TokyoTaco is opening a beachfront venue at the Mooloolaba Esplanade on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast this June.  The doors of the new venue will open on 18 June and to cel...

International lager claims crown as Australia’s most preferred beer

Launching its inaugural ‘Brand Map of Australia’, Tracksuit reveals Corona as the nation’s most preferred beer  Sydney, Thursday, 29 May 2025 - From iconic mass-produced lagers to innovative craft brews, beer is woven into the fabric of Australi...

Business Times

Agentforce for Financial Services: Merging AI and Human Expertise…

In this rapidly evolving world of financial services, deploying customer experiences that are personalized and intelligen...

Samsara Eco and lululemon announce 10 year partnership

lululemon and Samsara Eco Announce 10-Year Plan to Advance Recycled Material Portfolio Plan will see lululemon source a...

Barelli Bathrooms announces celebrity interior designer Kellie Ri…

Barelli Bathrooms, a leading name in contemporary bathroom accessories and design, is proud to announce its new national ...

The Times Features

Tricia Paoluccio designer to the stars

The Case for Nuturing Creativity in the Classroom, and in our Lives I am an actress and an artist who has had the privilege of sharing my work across many countries, touring my ...

Duke of Dural to Get Rooftop Bar as New Owners Invest in Venue Upgrade

The Duke of Dural, in Sydney’s north-west, is set for a major uplift under new ownership, following its acquisition by hospitality group Good Beer Company this week. Led by resp...

Prefab’s Second Life: Why Australia’s Backyard Boom Needs a Circular Makeover

The humble granny flat is being reimagined not just as a fix for housing shortages, but as a cornerstone of circular, factory-built architecture. But are our systems ready to s...

Melbourne’s Burglary Boom: Break-Ins Surge Nearly 25%

Victorian homeowners are being warned to act now, as rising break-ins and falling arrest rates paint a worrying picture for suburban safety. Melbourne residents are facing an ...

Exploring the Curriculum at a Modern Junior School in Melbourne

Key Highlights The curriculum at junior schools emphasises whole-person development, catering to children’s physical, emotional, and intellectual needs. It ensures early year...

Distressed by all the bad news? Here’s how to stay informed but still look after yourself

If you’re feeling like the news is particularly bad at the moment, you’re not alone. But many of us can’t look away – and don’t want to. Engaging with news can help us make ...