QLD Smoke Alarm Upgrades Before the 2027 Deadline
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All Queensland homes need to be compliant by January 1 2027
Smoke alarm requirements in QLD
Queensland smoke alarm laws require all homes to be upgraded to interconnected photoelectric smoke alarms by 1 January 2027.
If your home hasn’t been upgraded, you may need changes to stay compliant.
When do I need to install more smoke alarms and interconnect them?
Smoke alarms installed after the below milestone dates will be required to be:
- Powered by either hard-wired 240-volt or 10-year non-removable 10 year battery; and
- Be interconnected by either wired or wirelessly to all other required smoke alarms in the dwelling.
- All smoke alarms that are required by legislation must be AS3786–2014 compliant smoke alarms.
1 January 2022
Dwellings being leased, re-leased or sold.
1 July 2024
All caravans or motorhomes whose registration is commencing or being transferred.
1 January 2027
All other dwellings and registered caravans and motorhomes.
All dwellings must comply by 1 January 2027
Where do smoke alarms need to be installed?
Smoke alarms must be installed on every storey, specifically in each bedroom, hallways connecting bedrooms to other parts of the dwelling, or between bedrooms and living areas if no hallway exists.
If a storey has no bedrooms, at least one smoke alarm must be placed in the most likely exit path.
For caravans and motorhomes, smoke alarms can be installed on the ceiling, ideally near sleeping areas. If you sleep in the annexe, placing an alarm there is also recommended.
Smoke alarm layout
Do smoke alarms need to be installed by an electrical contractor?
All 230V hardwired smoke alarms must be installed by a licensed electrical contractor who can provide you with a Certificate of Compliance on completion of the work.
You can tell if your smoke alarms are hard wired to electricity by inspecting them and checking if they have a constant green LED. If they have a constant green led – they will be 230V alarms and you will need to have them replaced by an electrical contractor.
Can battery smoke alarms still be used?
Select your property type below to see if battery alarms can be used
COMBINATION
An existing dwelling with 230V smoke alarms must replace them when required with 230V smoke alarms.
An existing dwelling with battery operated smoke alarms may replace them when required with battery operated photoelectric type smoke alarms that meet the Australian Standard 3786–2014.
An existing dwelling with 230V smoke alarms that requires additional smoke alarms be instaled to comply with the new legislation may use a combination of 230V and battery alarms in the new locations.
All battery operated smoke alarms must be 10-year non-removable battery smoke alarms.
HARDWIRED
Smoke alarms must be hardwired and will need to be installed by a licenced electrical contractor who can provide a certificate of compliance.
HARDWIRED
Smoke alarms must be hardwired and will need to be installed by a licenced electrical contractor who can provide a certificate of compliance.
Frequently asked questions
What brand alarms do you install?
We supply and install Voltex alarms. Voltex alarms are backed by the manufacturer with a 7 year parts and labour warranty.
How are the alarms interlinked?
Our alarms are interlinked using radio frequency signal seamlessly connecting all your alarms (and any remotes) together.
Do batteries need to be replaced?
No, the new alarms have a 10 year lithium battery in them.
When do alarms need to be replaced?
Under QLD legislation, all alarms must be replaced every 10 years.
Do you supply a compliance certificate?
Yes, a compliance certificate is supplied on completion of the installation.
What are the alarm remote controls?
Modern alarms can be supplied with a remote control allowing you to operate alarm functions from the convenience of the remote.
My alarms are already compliant, can you provide a compliance certificate?
Yes, please get in touch with us and we can quote for an inspection and issuance of a certificate.
More information is available on the Queensland Fire Department website
Upgrade your smoke alarms today
We’ve tried to make it easy for you to upgrade your alarms! Follow the link below to use our instant quote and booking tool to arrange for us to come and make your property compliant.
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