5

Impact Analysis:
1. Do nothing:
• The research presented indicates that the installation of current ionization
products will not meet the critical Performance Requirement P2.3.2 of the BCA.
• Consumers will continue to be unaware of the significant difference in sensitivity
and performance (i.e., life safety) of the two technologies complying with
AS 3786.
• There is a greater potential for litigation due to the lack of performance in
providing life safety in real residential fires. (Litigation against manufacturers of
ionization smoke alarms have been successful in the USA and further litigation is
in progress).
• This option will not address the identified shortcoming of the current product
Standard.

2. Amend the BCA to specify photoelectric smoke alarms in all areas where AS 3786
smoke alarms are required
• The mandating of photoelectric smoke alarms provides a detection technology
suited to a broader range of fires experienced in residential applications and
therefore provides the most suitable deemed to satisfy solution.
• A review of the ActivFire listing and discussions with smoke alarms suppliers and
manufacturers at a meeting called by the FPAA on the 31 March 2006, identified
one Australian manufacturer that currently does not provide a photoelectric
option. From data provided at the meeting, it is estimated this manufacturer
provides less than 0.2% of the product supplied to the Australian market.
• Currently photoelectric technology based smoke alarms are typically 10% to 15%
more expensive than their ionization technology alternatives. Discussions with
product manufacturers indicate that an increased manufacturing volume will see
this price differential decrease. Some manufacturers have indicated that the
increased volumes will result in no price differential.

3. Amend AS 3786 to provide for smoke alarms suitable for general use, i.e.
adequate for both smouldering and flaming fires, with performance criteria
independent of technology type
• Amending AS 3786 to ensure products meet the acceptance criteria based on
obscuration would result in the use of smoke alarms suited to a broader range of
fires experienced in residential applications and would provide a deemed to
satisfy solution that meets the performance requirements.
• A review of the ActivFire listing and discussions with smoke alarms suppliers and
manufacturers at a meeting called by the FPAA on the 31 March 2006, identified
one Australian manufacturer that provides only products that might not meet the
acceptance criteria of the revised Standard. From data provided at the meeting, it
is estimated this manufacturer provides less than 0.2% of the product supplied to
the Australian market.
• Currently photoelectric smoke alarms (obscuration based technology) are
typically 10% to 15% more expensive than their ionization technology
alternatives. Discussions with product manufacturers indicate that an increased
manufacturing volume will see this price differential decrease. Some
manufacturers have indicated that the increased volumes will result in no price
differential.
• The revision of the Standard opens up the compliance of smoke alarms to any
technology that meets the single acceptance criteria.
• The acceptance criteria for smoke detectors installed in sleeping areas and paths
of travel to an exit as part of an AS 1670.1 system required by Clause 4 Spec.
E2.2a of the BCA is based solely upon obscuration. The amendment of AS 3786
will bring the acceptance criteria for smoke alarm products installed to Clause 3
of Spec. E2.2a into line with the acceptance criteria for products in Clause 4.
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9