Queensland has the most stringent smoke alarm laws in the nation. These laws have been amended and updated over time due to several tragic fires which have resulted in significant loss of life.
The two main pieces of legislation in Queensland are named the ‘Fire and Emergency Services Act 1990’ and the ‘Building Fire Safety Regulation 2008’.
The objectives of the legislation are to ensure that all fire safety installations (including smoke alarms) within a building are maintained and to ensure that people can safely evacuate from a building in the event of a fire.
Part 5A of the Building Fire Safety Regulation deals specifically with smoke alarm requirements for domestic dwellings. Prescribed locations for the installation of smoke alarms are also detailed.
Part 5A of this legislation states that smoke alarms must;
- Comply with Australian Standard AS 3786:2014.
- Contain a photoelectric sensor, and not also contain an ionization sensor.
- Be either hardwired into the building’s main power supply or powered by a non-removable minimum 10-year lifespan battery.
In addition to the above, the QLD Fire and Emergency Services Act stipulates that from 1st January 2022 all rental properties in QLD must have smoke alarms which;
- Are less than 10 years old.
- Operate when tested.
- Be interconnected with every other smoke alarm in the building so that all activate together.
If the smoke alarm being replaced was hardwired to the domestic dwelling’s electricity supply, the replacement smoke alarm must be hardwired to the dwelling’s electricity supply. Any newly constructed homes or substantial renovations must have smoke alarms which are hard wired to the mains power supply
Furthermore, these requirements will become mandatory for ALL dwellings in Queensland by 1st January 2027.
Direct links to the QLD Government website are posted below if you would like to read the legislative documents for yourself.
https://www.legislation.qld.gov.au/view/pdf/inforce/2018-07-01/sl-2008-0160
https://www.legislation.qld.gov.au/view/pdf/inforce/current/act-1990-010