Why do we need to upgrade our smoke alarms?

In 2017, the Queensland Government amended relevant legislation in relation to smoke alarms.

The ‘old’ ionisation smoke alarms are being phased out in favour of the ‘new’ interconnected photoelectric smoke alarms.

What’s so great about interconnected photoelectric smoke alarms?

There are many reasons why this type of smoke alarm is being favoured over previous smoke alarms.

The main advantage is that, because these smoke alarms are connected to one another, if one detects a fire, they all “go off”, thus preventing the occupants of the building not hearing an alarm, especially when they are asleep.

Another advantage is that photoelectric alarms are better at detecting fires. They pick up on particles of combustion, giving you and your family a better chance of escaping a house fire.

Don’t fret about anyone’s bad cooking skills setting these alarms off, though. They tend to be better at “ignoring” the burnt smell floating out from your kitchen.

And, unlike previous smoke alarm versions, photoelectric smoke alarms do not contain any radioactive material.

When am I required to have interconnected photoelectric smoke alarms installed at my premises?

If you have a newly built home (since 2017) or substantially renovated your home, then you should already have these smoke alarms installed. If you don’t, contact us today for a free quote.

All properties that are leased or being sold require interconnected photoelectric smoke alarms to be installed by 1 January 2022.

All other domestic dwellings will be required to upgrade their smoke alarms by 1 January 2027.

Where do these smoke alarms need to be installed?

One smoke alarm is required to be installed in each bedroom. You will also be required to install 1 smoke alarm in every hallway connecting the bedrooms in the dwelling. If there are no hallways on that storey where the bedrooms are, a smoke alarm will still need to be installed in the space between the bedrooms and the rest of that storey.

On top of that, if there are no bedrooms on a storey, a smoke alarm will need to be installed on the most common exit path for that storey. You will also be required to have a smoke alarm at the top and bottom of any internal staircase.

To find out more information, head over to Queensland Fire & Emergency Services website – https://www.qfes.qld.gov.au/community-safety/smokealarms/Pages/default.aspx.

If you need to get your smoke alarms upgraded, contact us today for a free quote.