New Smoke Alarm Requirements

Recent changes to the Fire and Emergency Services Act 1990 require all Queensland houses, town houses and units to install ‘Photoelectric Smoke Alarms’ commencing 1 January 2017.  Under updated legislation, photoelectric smoke alarms are required to be interconnected with every other smoke alarm in the following locations:

• on each storey;
• in each bedroom;
• in hallways that connect bedrooms and the rest of the dwelling;
• if no hallway, between the bedroom and other parts of the storey; and
• if there are no bedrooms on a storey, at least one smoke alarm must be installed in the most likely path of travel to exit the dwelling.

​Given the significance of the change, the Queensland Government has imposed a 10 year phased rollout of legislation to give Queenslanders time to adapt to the new requirements.
 
New buildings or those undergoing significant renovations will have to be fully complaint with the legislation from 1 January 2017.  All houses leased or sold will need to meet compliance within 5 years.  Private dwellings will only have to be fully compliant within 10 years.
 
The Queensland government believes the new reforms are leading a life-saving overhaul to the smoke alarm systems.  Photoelectric smoke alarms can respond towards a wide range of fires.  Further, an interconnected alarm system will alert the resident, no matter which part of the house the fire starts.

What does it mean for your home?

• You must replace your smoke alarm if:
  1. the alarm does not work; or
  2. the alarm is more than 10 years old.
• Every smoke alarm replaced from 1 January 2017 must be a photoelectric-type alarm which complies with Australian Standard 3786-2014.
• Your dwelling must be fully compliant with legislation by 1 January 2027(i.e. all smoke alarms replaced by interconnected photoelectric smoke alarms and installed in all required areas of the dwelling).

What does it mean for a Seller or Landlord?

• All existing landlord’s and tenant’s obligations regarding installation and testing of smoke alarms remain.
• Sellers will continue to disclose smoke alarm requirements in the Form 24 with the Queensland Land Registry Office.
• Your dwelling must be fully compliant with legislation by 1 January 2022

What does it mean for developers?

• All building approvals received on or after 1 January 2017 must be fully compliant with the legislation.

 
Click here to discover how the new legislation can affect you.

Click here for a summary of requirements provided by the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services

Source:
Fire and Emergency Services Act 1990
The Fire and Emergency Services (Domestic Smoke Alarms) Amendment Act 2016
Queensland Government Media Statements
Queensland Fire and Emergency Services