On the 10th anniversary of smoke alarms becoming compulsory in all NSW homes, Bathurst Fire and Rescue NSW Station Officer Sandy Collins said this is the time to consider the type of alarm you have.

Until May, 2006, smoke alarms had only been compulsory for new homes, not existing buildings in which people slept.

And with a 10-year life span on smoke alarms, many householders are now due for a new one.

Station Officer Collins said there have been great advances in smoke alarm technology, there is now one that is better at detecting fires in modern-day furniture.

A decade ago, when legislation was introduced, the alarm of choice for most people was an ionisation alarm.

These alarms have a radioactive symbol on the back of them.

“They’re good at detecting paper fires, they often go off when you burn your toast,” Station Officer Collins said.

But technology has advanced to create smoke alarms that are better at detecting fires in the types of furniture often found in modern homes.

Station Officer Collins said modern furniture can often have synthetic or plastic components in it, and this impacts how quickly a fire will take hold.

“A lounge chair has the same energy level as five litres of petrol and that’s why they burn so quickly and give off very thick smoke,” he said.

“Those thick particles may overcome the ability of an ionisation alarm to detect the particles.”

Photoelectric alarms are still battery operated, but do not have a radioactive symbol on them.

“It’s much more accurate, it can detect deep-seeded or smouldering fires,” he said.

“The minimum standard these days should be photoelectric [alarms] because of their greater ability to detect fires in synthetic furniture and plastic.”

Station Officer Collins said while photoelectric smoke alarms do cost a little extra, it is well worth the expense.

“Instead of paying $10, you’re looking at $18,” he said.