Queensland Smoke Alarm Laws
Understanding The Changes To Queensland Smoke Alarm Laws Could Save Your Life
Did you know that most fires that result in death starts in the lounge room or the bedroom? Smoke alarms are the first line of defence to fires and under Queensland legislation, smoke alarms must be installed in all homes, rental properties and caravans.
This legislation has changed over the past couple of years and the Queensland Fire Department has given homeowners a deadline to make changes to their home. The safety of your home and family depends on you being up to date with the latest in smoke alarm safety.
Here at Triforce, our team of qualfied electricians stay up to date with the current Queensland smoke alarm legislations and are happy to answer any questions you may have. Contact us today at 1300 538 270.
Understanding The New Queensland Smoke Alarm Laws
There have been several changes made to Queensland’s smoke alarm legislation that affects homeowners and those who are looking to sell their home in the future.
Queensland homeowners need to comply with the new laws by the 1st of January 2027. By this deadline, all homes and properties will need to have photoelectric smoke alarms that are interconnected, meaning if one goes off they all go off. These smoke alarms must either be hardwired to your home’s main power supply or be a 10-year battery-powered type of smoke alarm.
Not sure how old your smoke alarm is? Don’t worry, most smoke alarms have the date they were manufactured stamped on the back.
According to the legislation, smoke alarms need to be installed:
- On every storey of your home
- In every bedroom
- In hallways that connect bedrooms
- In hallways that connect other parts of the property
- If a level of your home doesn’t have bedrooms, at least one smoke alarm needs to be installed on the likely exit route of the property.
Smoke Alarm Requirements for Different Types of Properties
Rental Properties
Landlords are responsible for installing and maintaining the home’s smoke alarms. They must test and clean fire alarms within 30 days before each tenancy.
Owner Occupier Homes
While the deadline is 2027, early compliance is highly recommended. Homeowners are responsible for organising regular testing and maintenance for their smoke alarms, ensuring they remain in working order. It is important to replace any expired or any smoke alarms that aren’t interconnected or photoelectric.
Caravans and Motorhomes
If you live in a caravan or motorhome by Queensland law, you must place at least one working photoelectric smoke alarm where the bed is.
Fire Alarms For the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
To ensure fire safety for the hearing-impaired community, specialised smoke alarms use a mixture of visual and tactile alerts. These alarms work by alerting residents to a fire hazard through sight (flashing lights) and feel (vibrating pads), giving them time to evacuate their home safely.
What Are The Consequences of Non-Compliance
What happens if you fail to meet the deadline? Beyond the immediate risk to you and your family’s safety, failing to comply in time can lead to significant fines, penalties and you can even run into legal trouble. In the event of a fire, insurance claims may be cancelled, leaving homeowners and landlords facing hundreds of dollars in fines.
If you are selling your house and your smoke alarms aren’t interconnected and photoelectric, it can cause delays in the settlement process.
Local Expert Electricians
If you have any further questions about the update to Queensland's smoke alarm legislation, don't hesitate to give our qualified and insured electricians a call at 1300 538 270.