Changes were made in 2017 to legislation around the requirements for smoke alarms and it impacts every home owner. For landlords these changes mean that that all QLD rental properties must meet these strict new guidelines by 2022.
According to the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services, “Landlords are responsible for the installation of smoke alarms that comply with new Smoke Alarm legislation, introduced on 1 January, 2017.”
In addition, existing smoke alarms manufactured more than 10 years ago, as well as any smoke alarms that do not operate when tested, must be replaced with photoelectric smoke alarms that comply with Australian Standard 3786–2014. All smoke alarms should be interconnected within the dwelling.
For the best protection, smoke alarms should be installed on each storey:
- in every bedroom
- in hallways that connect bedrooms and the rest of the dwelling
- if there is no hallway, between the bedrooms, and
- if there are no bedrooms on a storey, at least one smoke alarm should be installed in the most likely path of travel to exit the dwelling.
Any person can legally install a battery powered smoke alarm. However, 240-volt smoke alarms connect to the electricity supply and must be connected by a licenced electrician.
For more information on smoke alarm requirements if you are renovating, selling or a home owner go to the Qld Fire and Emergency Services website here.
