Smoke alarms
We tested 20 models to see which respond fastest to smoke.
Family Shield
FS-588HLL
worth considering
Avg price
$17
Test results
- 60Ease of use
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How we test
Overall score is based on smouldering and flaming fire sensitivity.
“Good” or “OK” meant the alarm sounded quickly enough to alert you to danger.
“Poor” meant the alarm took significantly longer to sound.
“Extreme” sensitivity meant the alarm sounded so quickly they are more likely to issue false alarms.
Ease of use includes instructions and ease of installation.
See "About our test" for more information.
Noise is measured in a quiet room 3m from the alarm.
Price is from a March 2018 price survey.
More test results
- Smouldering fire sensitivity
Good
- Flaming fire sensitivity
OK
Model
- Avg price
$17
- Alarm type
Photoelectric
- Noise (dBA)
97
- Battery type
Sealed lithium
- Size
Standard
Features
- Battery life (years)
10
- Alarm life (years)
10
- Warranty (yrs)
10
- Hush period (min)
10
- Carbon monoxide alarm
- Alarms can be linked
- Voice alerts
More info
- Notes
-
- Availability
-
False alarm and couldn't hush it
Pros
We were attracted to the 10 year life and bought a two pack from Bunnings.
Cons
A few months after installing, it went off at 2am. We could only hush it for 60 seconds and then it started up again. We couldn't open it to remove the battery - because it's made to be closed. In a now funny story, husband and son had to get tools and pry it open and cut wires as if they were defusing a bomb. It was the only way to stop it and, of course, completely ruined it. We had lost the receipt but wanted Bunnings to know about it so my husband emailed them to ask them to tell the manufacturer. He received no response from Bunnings. We will dump the other one - a crying shame.
Recommend it?
No, this product has too many drawbacks.
Andrew S.
Used 1 - 3 months