Upgrading your smoke alarms could save a life today. Make sure that you are compliant.
Smoke alarm legislation is making Queensland households the safest in Australia in relation to fire safety.
The new legislation specifies that all Queensland dwellings will be required to have interconnected photoelectric smoke alarms in all bedrooms, in hallways that connect bedrooms with the rest of the dwelling and on every level.
A 10-year phased rollout of interconnected photoelectric smoke alarms in Queensland will happen over three specific periods starting from 1 January 2017.
What does this mean for your home?
To comply with legislation, interconnected photoelectric smoke alarms are required:
From 1 January 2017: in all new dwellings and substantially renovated dwellings (this applies to building applications submitted from 1 January 2017).
From 1 January 2022: in all domestic dwellings leased and sold.
From 1 January 2027: in all other domestic dwellings.
Landlords
All landlords are responsible for complying with the new legislation from January 2017. Existing smoke alarms manufactured more than 10 years ago or that are not working when tested must be replaced. They must be replaced with photoelectric smoke detectors that comply with Australian Standard 3786-2014.
If you are not compliant by January 2022 you are not legally able to lease your property.
Owner Occupier
Smoke alarms manufactured more than 10 years ago must be replaced with photoelectric smoke detectors that comply with Australian Standard 3786-2014. The date of your alarm can be found on the back of your alarm. Any alarms not working are to be replaced immediately and any hardwired alarms which are due for replacement must be replaced with a photoelectric hardwired alarm.
From January 2027 all existing private homes must have photoelectric interconnected smoke alarms. They need to be hardwired or non-removable 10 year battery alarms. They must be installed on each story of your home, in each bedroom, within hallways throughout.
Tenants
Landlords must comply with the installation of smoke alarms as required under the legislation. In addition, they must clean and test the smoke alarms 30 days before the start of a tenancy in a domestic property. Throughout the tenancy, the alarms must be cleaned and tested once every 12 months by the tenant. This can also be outsourced to ensure compliance.
Building or renovating
During the building approval process, a building certifier will ensure that the standard requirements are met. This will be, photoelectric alarms without an ionisation sensor, mains or battery power, interconnected and installed in each story, each bedroom, each hallway.
Selling or leasing
All landlords and people wishing to sell are responsible for complying with the new legislation from January 2017. Existing smoke alarms manufactured more than 10 years ago or that are not working when tested must be replaced. They must be replaced with photoelectric smoke detectors that comply with Australian Standard 3786-2014.
From January 2022 all homes that are being sold, leased or existing leases renewed will be required to have photoelectric interconnected smoke alarms. These can be hardwired or the non-removable 10-year battery alarms.
Contact the team at Jayden Enterprises to ensure that you are compliant with the new smoke alarm laws in Queensland. We can install, replace and test your smoke alarms to ensure compliance.
Reference: https://www.qfes.qld.gov.au/community-safety/smokealarms/Pages/default.aspx
