NEW SMOKE ALARM LAWS NOW APPLY IN QUEENSLAND
When you sleep, your sense of smell also sleeps. If a fire starts, toxic fumes can overcome you. Photoelectric smoke alarms see smoke and will alert you early, so you can escape.
With interconnected alarms, you will be alerted no matter where you are, or where the fire starts. New legislation specifies the type, positioning, and interconnectedness of alarms, which are critical factors for an early warning and quick escape.
Your responsibilities
New and substantially renovated homes are now required to have interconnected photoelectric smoke alarms in all bedrooms, in hallways where bedrooms are connected, and on each and every level of the residence. This applies to homes where building applications were lodged after 1 January 2017.
Requirements for other homes will be phased in over 10 years. Interconnected photoelectric smoke alarms will be required from:
- 1 January 2022 in all homes leased and sold
- 1 January 2027 in all other homes.
To comply with the new laws homeowners can install either hardwired 240V smoke alarms or non-removable 10-year battery smoke alarms. However, any existing hardwired 240V smoke alarm must be replaced with a hardwired 240V photoelectric smoke alarm. The installation of hardwired 240V smoke alarms must be performed by a licenced electrician. In existing homes, it is possible to have a combination of smoke alarms, which can be 240V or battery operated and interconnectivity which can be both wired and wireless.
If you require any further information regarding the maintenance or installation of your smoke alarms, please get in touch with us.