Smoke Alarms

From 1 January 2017 new smoke alarm legislation applies in all Queensland dwellings. Depending on your circumstances you may need to upgrade your smoke alarms now, and over a period of time all alarms in Queensland will have to meet the rules.

You can read the full rules in this pdf here (opens in a new window)

To summarise the additions to existing legislation:

- Homes For Sale or Lease: Must meet the new rules when smoke alarms are being replaced in addition to meeting existing rules. 

- New Homes: Will have to meet the new rules as part of the development process.

- Existing Homes: When smoke alarms are replaced they must be replaced with new photoelectric smoke alarms meeting the relevant standards, and correct positioning. All smoke alarms that fail testing must be replaced immediately, and all hardwired smoke alarms must be replaced by hardwired photoelectric equivalents.

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What type of smoke alarms does your house have?

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There are two types of smoke alarms; photoelectric and ionisation.

Ionisation smoke alarms ‘feel’ smoke by detecting invisible particles of combustion, like when you burn your toast in the kitchen, and activate quickly for fast-flaming fires. Evidence suggests they are not as effective at detecting slow-smouldering fires, which are generally the fires that lead to deaths in homes.

Photoelectric smoke alarms ‘see’ smoke by detecting visible particles of combustion and react more quickly to smouldering fires. They are more reliable and less likely to produce false alarm activations. When photoelectric alarms activate, the smoke is still at the top layer of the ceiling, above head height and this gives residents more time to evacuate safely. This additional warning time is critical in allowing the safe escape of all persons.

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For help with all your smoke alarm needs in your property please call Charlie on 0411700570