What Are Wireless Modules and Bases?
Modern smoke alarms in multi-level homes or properties with multiple smoke alarms (inside sole occupancy units or throughout the common area) are often wirelessly interlinked. This means that when one alarm sounds, all interconnected alarms go off — providing earlier warning in case of fire.
To achieve this, each smoke alarm must have:
A wireless module installed inside the alarm, or
A wireless base, which the alarm clips into.
These components use radio signals to communicate between alarms, without the need for hardwired connections. Interlinking of smoke alarms is a requirement on the AFSS for most modern buildings.
Wireless Bases
Wireless bases are installed on the ceiling and the smoke alarm head slides into them. Wireless bases have their own 10 year lifespan that is separate to the smoke alarm head. A wireless base is more than just a mount for the smoke alarm, they have technology inside them that allows the alarm to interconnect with others. They are thicker than a regular smoke alarm mount.
Wireless Modules
Wireless modules are a new technology that serve the same function as wireless bases. They are installed on the inside of the smoke alarm on the underside of the head, and are sometimes not visible from the outside. Wireless modules also have their own separate 10 year lifespan to the smoke alarm heads. Some manufacturers are discontinuing wireless bases, and will only use the modules moving forward.
Why am I being charged extra for a wireless module/base?
Wireless modules and bases are separate components from the smoke alarm itself. If your existing alarm fails and needs replacement, we check whether the wireless part is reusable. In some cases, the module or base:
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Is not compatible with the new alarm model
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Has become faulty or damaged
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Has exceeded it’s lifespan (usually 10 years)
When this happens, a new module or base must be supplied and installed — and this may result in a separate line item on your invoice.
Different smoke alarm suppliers (Clipsal, Brooks, Cavius, and Red) use different technologies to achieve this wireless interlinking, and some are more expensive than others. In the case of Brooks smoke alarms with a wireless module installed, it can be hard to identify that a module is installed at the time of inspection as there are no visual indicators on the alarm. If a smoke alarm like this is quoted for replacement and a module is found at the time of repair, the electrician will need to replace it. This will result in an additional $165 + GST being applied to the repair invoice as per our terms & conditions:
