How the new smoke alarm legislation affects your home?

Queensland's new smoke alarm legislation will affect every home in the state over the next 5 to 10 years. How it affects your home and when will depend on your specific living situation.

The new legislation, introduced by the QLD government on 1 January 2017 requires every residence to be fitted with interconnected photoelectric smoke alarms. The updates to the legislation endeavor to ensure that each person at home is instantly alerted to a fire, regardless of where they are in the house.

The benefit of an interconnected, either hardwired or 10 year lithium battery powered wireless, smoke alarm system is when one smoke alarm senses smoke every alarm in the home sounds.

If you're struggling to remove a rouge piece of bread in the toaster at 6 am* and trying not to wake the family this is probably a worrying thought but in every other potential fire situation an interconnected system could save lives.

How does it affect your home?

Upgrading your homes smoke alarms to an interconnected hardwired system must be carried out by a licenced electrician. Hard wiring to the main electrical supply in your home means you don't need to remember to replace batteries every year and the system is always on. To ensure you are still protected during a power-out each alarm is fitted with a back up battery.

Deadlines for upgrades

• Homes built or significantly renovated and completed after January 1, 2017, must be compliant on completion
• Homes sold or leased must be compliant by 2022
• All owner occupied private homes must be upgraded by 2027
• Every smoke alarm replaced after Jan 1 2017 must be a photoelectric alarm.

*Photoelectric type smoke alarms were recommended for this legislation due to reduced false alarms, fast reaction times, and being less prone to triggering with everyday cooking smoke and steam. So in reality you probably won't need to worry about the toast setting it off, but keep an eye on it anyway.

Upgrading your Sunshine Coast home

Want to get ahead of the rush and book in your homes smoke alarm upgrade now? Contact our licenced electrician on 0417 871 183 or complete our service request form today.