Frequently Asked Questions

This is a simple and quick fix, and generally alleviates 95% of false alarms. On occasions (this can occur any time – from the first week to the 10th year), dust or bugs can find their way inside the chamber and scatter the optical light – activating the alarm. All photoelectric smoke alarms, no matter the brand, require maintenance from time to time.
Simply remove the alarm from the ceiling, then run a vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment if you have one, on the lowest setting, around the outside of the alarm near the chamber filter (grey mesh). Do not open up the alarm. Ensure the alarm is in the base, wait 10 seconds and then test.

All AS3786:2104 alarms are tested to over +90% Rh non-condensing humidity. Our alarms have been designed to live in 95% humidity, however any higher percentage in the atmosphere, condensation forms inside the chamber and interferes with the PCB – causing the alarm to siren.
There is also an optimal temperature range a smoke alarm can live within (most brands this is around the +5 – 38 degrees mark). If the temperature is outside of this range , this can also cause false alarms.
Unfortunately, there isn’t a fix here as you can’t control the weather. If humidity is causing a false alarm, either blowing a hairdryer with warm air through the chamber filter can dry off the PCB or turn on your heat pump to ‘dry’ mode.

Steam from the shower or cooking can cause false alarms once it passes through the chamber. We recommend installing the alarm as far away from a bathroom or kitchen area as possible to avoid this issue.

Areas to avoid when installing smoke alarms:
1. In dusty rooms or areas of potential dust build up i.e. above the door frame.
2. At least 50cm away from an LED light.
3. In corners of a room (within 30cm) and peaks of apex (within 50cm).
4. In areas where temperatures may frequently reach outside of +4c to 38c
5. In areas of high humidity.
5. In kitchens, garages and laundries (we recommend the installing a Heat Alarm).
6. At least 100cm away from an HVAC system.
7. At least 40cm away from the end of a ceiling fan
8. Not in the direct air stream of a heat pump / air conditioning unit

You can purchase our smoke alarms through authorised resellers listed on our Where To Buy: Trade or Retail pages.

After installation, its best practice to test your alarm by pressing the test button (this is the entire bottom surface of the alarm). You may need to wait 8 seconds for the alarm to power up. To maintain your smoke alarm, vacuum around the smoke chamber regularly. Dust may accumulate inside the mesh even if it looks clean outside.
Do not use water or households’ products to clean your product.

Watchman and the New Zealand Fire & Emergency Service recommend one in every room. To obtain NZ Building Code compliance you will require one in each room. Read more.

New Zealand accepts European Standard EN14604 and Australian Standard AS3786 certifications. Never install a smoke alarm without a smoke alarm certification.

The higher price of smoke alarms often reflects the quality of the components used and will often contain a longer battery life. The more level of quality, the higher the cost becomes. All Watchman alarms are 100% tested for sensitivity, sounds, power consumption and many other points.

All smoke alarms have a 10 year lifetime and expiry date. You will find the Watchman expiry date on the product label at the base of the alarm

Ensure the alarm is clicked firmly into the mounting base.

We recommend that you do a visual check (the LED will flash every 48 seconds indicating the alarm is operational) every week. We also recommend pressing the test button on the alarm once per month

The best location for any smoke alarm is on the ceiling and in the centre of the room they are intended to protect. The alarm will operate normally if installed on a wall, however this can add minutes to the detection time, which are valuable in the event of a fire. We recommend installing the alarm at least 30cm from the corner where the ceiling and wall join and 50cm from the apex of a cathedral ceiling. Both of these areas are referred to as ‘Dead Air Zones’, with ‘Dead Air Zones’, oxygen will gather in these areas.

A short beep every 48 seconds may indicate the end of life of you battery. If the alarm is well before the 10 year life, the alarm may not quite be clicked into the base properly. Take the alarm out and re-click back into the base. You should hear and feel the click – similar to a seat belt.

Quickly assess if there is a fire situation. If so, alert young children and seniors. Leave the house immediately following your planned escape route. Every second is important, do not loose time collecting valuable objects. Stay close to the ground if the air is charged with smoke. Do not breathe completely and cover your mouth with a wet cloth if possible. Once outside your house, call emergency services.

Smoke alarm is an electronic fire security device which will early sense smoke to warn occupants with a loud siren so they can get out before being intoxicated by smoke. (80% of fire deaths are due to inhalation of toxic smoke)