Queensland has changed its smoke alarm legislation as of 1 January 2017. This affects the specific type, positioning and interconnectedness of smoke alarms. It also affects existing properties, new builds or renovations and properties which are for sale or lease.
We understand the change can be overwhelming but we at Home Safety Store are keen to make it easy to understand and more importantly an easy transition for all Queenslanders.
It is important to note that not many manufacturer’s currently have AS 3786-2014 smoke alarms available.
We have contacted the Queensland Fire & Emergency Services who have stated they are aware of this due to a hold up with testing and certification. They have quoted the below;
“The legislation allows for the flexibility for existing dwellings to have either a combination of 240V hardwired or 10 year non-removable battery smoke alarms. The only stipulation is that if the current installed smoke alarm is hardwired than the replacement must be hardwired. Interconnected can be via wired or wireless.”
We currently have the PSA Homeguard HG2000 Photoelectric 240V with 9V Battery Back Up smoke alarm available which is compliant to the AS3786:2014 standard.
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[accordion-item title=”EXISTING PROPERTIES“]
As of 1 January 2017
- Existing smoke alarms that were manufactured more than 10 years ago MUST be replaced with PHOTOELECTRIC smoke alarms which comply with Australian Standards AS 3786-2014
- Smoke alarms that do not operate when tested must be replaced immediately
- Existing hardwired smoke alarms that need replacement must be replaced with a HARDWIRED PHOTOELECTRIC smoke alarm.
- All smoke alarms should be INTERCONNECTED
- It is also recommended that:
- Smoke alarms be either hardwired or;
- powered by a non-removable 10 year battery; and
- Ionisation smoke alarms be replaced with a photoelectric type as soon as possible
As of 1 January 2027
- All private homes, townhouses and units will require HARDWIRED PHOTOELECTRIC INTERCONNECTED smoke alarms.
- If a hardwired smoke alarm cannot be installed (eg.concrete ceiling), a non-removable 10 year battery smoke alarm can be installed instead.
- Smoke alarms must be installed in the following locations:
- on each STOREY
- in each BEDROOM
- in HALLWAYS that connect bedrooms & the rest of the dwelling
- if there is no hallway, between the bedroom and other parts of the storey;
- 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.
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[accordion-item title=”NEW DWELLINGS & DWELLINGS BEING SUBSTANTIALLY RENOVATED“]
From 1 January 2017
- All new homes or units and substantially renovated homes or units that are subject to a building application submitted from 1 January 2017, will require the installation of HARDWIRED, PHOTOELECTRIC INTERCONNECTED smoke alarms.
- Smoke alarms in the dwelling must;
- be PHOTOELECTRIC (and comply to AS3786-2014); and
- not also contain an Ionisation Sensor; and
- be HARDWIRED to the mains power supply with a SECONDARY POWER SOURCE (a 9V battery or rechargable lithium battery); and
- be INTERCONNECTED with every other smoke alarm in the dwelling
- Smoke alarms must be HARDWIRED, or for existing dwellings they can also be powered by NON-REMOVABLE 10 YEAR BATTERY
- Smoke alarms must be installed in the following locations:
- on each STOREY
- in each BEDROOM
- in HALLWAYS that connect bedrooms and the rest of the dwelling
- if there is no hallway, between the bedroom and other parts of the storey; and
- if there is no bedroom on a storey, at least one smoke alarm must be installed in the most likely path of travel to exit the dwelling
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[accordion-item title=”PROPERTIES FOR SALE, LEASE OR AN EXISTING LEASE RENEWED“]
From 1 January 2017
- Existing smoke alarms that were manufactured more than 10 years ago MUST be replaced with PHOTOELECTRIC smoke alarms which comply with Australian Standards AS 3786-2014
- Smoke alarms that do not operate when tested must be replaced immediately
- Existing hardwired smoke alarms that need replacement must be replaced with a HARDWIRED PHOTOELECTRIC smoke alarm.
- All smoke alarms should be INTERCONNECTED
- It is also recommended that:
- Smoke alarms be either hardwired or;
- Powered by a non-removable 10 year battery; and
- Ionisation smoke alarms be replaced with a photoelectric type as soon as possible
- Existing landlord’s and tenant’s obligations continue. Property sellers must continue to lodge a Form 24 stating the requirements of the legislation have been met.
From 1 January 2022
- All homes or units being sold or leased, or existing leases renewed, will require the installation of HARDWIRED PHOTOELECTRIC INTERCONNECTED smoke alarms. If a hardwired smoke alarm cannot be installed, a non-removable 10 year battery smoke alarm can be installed in place.
- Smoke alarms in the dwelling must;
- be PHOTOELECTRIC (and comply to AS3786-2014); and
- not also contain an Ionisation Sensor; and
- be HARDWIRED to the mains power supply with a SECONDARY POWER SOURCE (a 9V battery or rechargable lithium battery); and
- be INTERCONNECTED with every other smoke alarm in the dwelling
- If a smoke alarm which is hardwired to the domestic power supply needs replacement, it must be replaced with a HARDWIRED PHOTOELECTRIC smoke alarm.
- Smoke alarms must be installed in the following locations:
- on each STOREY
- in each BEDROOM
- in HALLWAYS that connect bedrooms and the rest of the dwelling
- if there is no hallway, between the bedroom and other parts of the storey; and
- if there is no bedroom on a storey, at least one smoke alarm must be installed in the most likely path of travel to exit the dwelling
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[accordion-item title=”WHERE SHOULD PHOTOELECTRIC SMOKE ALARMS BE PLACED?“]
Where possible, smoke alarms must be placed on the ceiling.
Smoke alarms must NOT be placed within:
- 300mm of a corner of a ceiling and a wall
- 300mm of a light fitting
- 400mm of an air-conditioning vent
- 400mm of the blades of a ceiling fan
- 900mm of the following: the door to a kitchen, the door to a bathroom containing a bath or shower, ceiling or whole house ventilating fans, or other high flow areas.
Avoid installation in the following positions:
- In dead air space. This is an area in which trapped hot air will prevent smoke from reaching the alarm. The space generally occurs at the apex of cathedral corners, the corner junction of walls and ceilings, and between exposed floor joists.
- Do not locate your alarm in the garage – products of combustion are present when you start your vehicle. Use a heat alarm in this situation.
- Do not locate your alarm in front of forced air supply ducts used for heating and air conditioning and other high airflow areas.
- Do not locate your alarm in areas where temperatures may fall below 5°C or rise above 45°C, or in humidity higher than 85% as these conditions may reduce battery life.
- Avoid dusty areas, dust particles may cause smoke alarms to false alarm or fail to alarm. Use a heat alarm in this situation.
- Avoid areas near a bathroom, moisture can cause false alarm.
- Avoid insect-infested areas.
- Avoid locating near fluorescent lights or other electrical equipment. Electronic Magnetic Interferences or “noise” may cause nuisance alarm or chirping. An EMI Filter may be helpful in this situation.
IMPORTANT: INCORRECT ORIENTATION OF SMOKE ALARMS MAY DECREASE OPERATIONAL EFFECTIVENESS
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For more information visit the Queensland Governments Smoke Alarm Legislation page.
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