Are your smoke alarms compliant with NZ Law?

Are your smoke alarms compliant with NZ Law?

Smoke alarms are a critical part of home safety, providing early warning in case of fire. But did you know that in New Zealand, there are specific legal requirements for smoke alarms in homes, rental properties, and new builds? Ensuring your smoke alarms are compliant isn’t just about safety—it’s also a legal responsibility.

In this guide, we’ll break down New Zealand’s smoke alarm regulations and help you determine if your alarms meet the required standards.

1. What Are the Legal Requirements for Smoke Alarms in NZ?

For Homeowners

While there are no strict legal mandates for homeowners regarding smoke alarms, Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) strongly recommends that all homes have photoelectric smoke alarms installed in key areas, including bedrooms, hallways, and living spaces.

For Rental Properties (Landlords & Tenants)

Under the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA) 1986, landlords must ensure their rental properties comply with smoke alarm regulations. The key requirements are:

Photoelectric Smoke Alarms Only – Ionisation smoke alarms are no longer acceptable for rental properties.

Long-Life Batteries or Hardwired Alarms – Smoke alarms must be either:

Hardwired with a battery back up into the electrical system, or powered by a sealed 10-year lithium battery (replaceable battery alarms are not allowed).

Placement Requirements – Smoke alarms must be:

  1. Within 3 metres of each bedroom door.
  2. On each level of the property.
  3. Ongoing Maintenance – Landlords must replace faulty alarms, while tenants are responsible for regular testing and alerting the landlord to any issues.

New Builds and Substantially Renovated Properties

From 1 November 2023, all new builds and substantially renovated properties must have an interconnected smoke alarm system installed.  

This could either be 240V mains powered OR a battery operated wireless interconnected system.

These smoke alarms must be:

  1. Compliant to standards such as BS EN14604, AS3786, UL 217, CAN/ULC S531 or ISO 12239
  2. Photoelectric
  3. Located in all bedrooms, living spaces, hallways and landings within the building
  4. In a multi-level household, on each level.
  5. On or near the ceiling
  6. All smoke alarms must have a test and hush button to temporarily silence the alarm.
  7. Should more than one smoke alarm be required to meet these standards, the alarms should be interconnected so that when one triggers, they all sound.
  8. A heat alarm should be used to avoid nuisance activations where a kitchen or scullery is separated from living spaces and hallways by doors that can be closed.
  9. Devices can be 240V mains powered or powered by a long life 10 year non removable, sealed battery.

2. How Do You Know if Your Smoke Alarms Are Compliant?

To check if your smoke alarms meet NZ regulations, follow these steps:

Check the Type – Ensure you have photoelectric smoke alarms (not ionisation models).

Look at the Power Source – If you’re a landlord, your alarms must be either hardwired or have a sealed 10-year lithium battery.

Review the Placement – Make sure alarms are installed within 3 metres of bedrooms and on each level of the home.

Confirm Certification – Your smoke alarm should comply with AS 3786:2014, the official Australian/New Zealand Standard.

3. Consequences of Non-Compliance

If rental properties fail to meet smoke alarm regulations, landlords can face penalties, including:

  1. Fines of up to $4,000 under the Residential Tenancies Act.
  2. Liability in case of a fire, especially if a tenant is injured due to missing or non-functioning alarms.
  3. Insurance complications – Some insurers may deny claims if the home didn’t have compliant smoke alarms.

4. Upgrading to Compliant Smoke Alarms

If your current smoke alarms don’t meet NZ regulations, it’s time to upgrade. Here’s what to look for:

  1. Photoelectric models that comply with AS 3786:2014 or equivalent.
  2. Interconnected alarms for better protection (especially for new builds).
  3. Long-life lithium battery or hardwired options to meet rental property standards.

Ensuring your smoke alarms comply with NZ law is not just about avoiding fines—it’s about protecting lives. Whether you’re a homeowner, landlord, or building a new home, installing the right smoke alarms can make all the difference.



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