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Smoke Alarms legislation: Changes to be ready for in each state

DetectOn Smoke Alarms in Australia: Legislation changes to be ready for in each state

Fire is a serious danger, and smoke alarms save lives. Without sufficient smoke alarms in working order and placed in the correct locations, a fire is more likely to damage or destroy property and cause serious injury or death. In 2022 smoke alarm safety and compliance legislation is being updated in all Australian states.

In order to ensure compliance with this law, it is essential that you educate yourself about what these changes mean for you, and that you take steps now, so you are prepared when any changes come into effect.

As a guide to help you understand the legislation, which incorporates existing legislation and changes, we've summarised the essential requirements for each Australian state as of 1st January 2022. For complete information for homeowners and legislation specific to landlords and relevant to real estate agents, visit the relevant authority in your state (links provided below).

Key changes to legislation across Australian States

While there are various changes to legislation, some of the key changes revolve around photoelectric, interconnected, RF, wireless, ActivFire®, non-replaceable lithium batteries in smoke alarms. Before we look at the legislation summary, let's take a look at what each of these means.

What is a photoelectric smoke alarm?

A photoelectric smoke alarm, also called an optical or photo-optical smoke alarm. These smoke alarms detect the presence of smoke differently and are triggered by a more comprehensive range of smoke than older smoke alarms. Photoelectric smoke alarms usually respond faster to the smoke from smouldering fires than ionization smoke alarms. Smoke from burning foam-filled furnishings, smouldering fires and overheated coated wiring are more likely to trigger a photoelectric smoke alarm than an ionization smoke alarm.

Interconnected smoke alarms

Smoke alarm legislation is changing and the use of interconnected smoke alarms is required in many states in Australia from 2022. Interconnected smoke alarms communicate with each other, meaning when one smoke alarm activates all the smoke alarms in the home do too. These alarms are smarter and safer, giving residents the best chance of escape before being overcome by smoke.

Wireless Radio Frequency (RF) Smoke Alarms

Wireless Radio Frequency (RF) Smoke alarms are smoke alarms that communicate via radio frequency, so there is no need for running wires across multiple rooms in order to hook them together like traditional hardwired smoke alarms. You can connect anywhere from 1 40 units depending on which model/version you install; this makes for coverage over virtually every square inch of a home.

Non-replaceable lithium battery

Smoke alarms with non-replaceable lithium ion batteries last 10 years or more on a single charge. As the batteries last much longer than replaceable batteries, there is less likelihood residents will be caught in a house fire without working alarms due to batteries being empty and not being replaced.

ActivFire®

CSIRO's ActivFire® Scheme is a product certification program that provides third-party validation of active fire protection equipment. The CSIRO Verification Services team operates the scheme, going through rigorous testing to provide certification for Australia's high safety standards.

Smoke Alarm Legislation in Australian States and Territories in 2022

Here is a general guide for existing and updated legislation in 2022.

New South Wales

In New South Wales the legislation for 2022 states that:

Every person who owns property is required to install an operational smoke alarm on every level of a home
This applies to owner occupied homes, relocatable homes, rental properties, caravan and campervans or any residential building where people sleep
Alarms must be situated in hallways near each bedroom
Where no hallways outside the bedrooms, alarms must be placed in the section of the home where the bedroom is located, and the remainder of the house

While we make every effort to provide accurate information, this is only a guide. We provide no guarantee this information is complete or correct. To see the complete legislation for New South Wales, visit this site.

Victoria

In Victoria, the legislation for 2022 states that:

Smoke alarms must be installed on every level of every home
This applies to all residential homes, including houses, townhouses, units, flats and apartments
Only standalone 9-volt battery powered smoke alarms need to be installed in Residential homes constructed before 1 August 1997
Smoke alarms must be connected to 240-volt mains power, and must include a back-up battery, in homes constructed or that have undergone a major renovation or extension after 1 August 1997
If more than one smoke alarm is needed in the home, all must be interconnected (so that all smoke alarms sound, even if only one alarm activates, in residential homes constructed, or that have undergone a major renovation or extension after 1 May 2014
All homeowners must install working smoke alarms

Queensland

In Queensland, the legislation for 2022 states that:

Smoke alarms must be installed on every level of every home
Alarms must be situated in each bedroom
Alarms must be situated in hallways that connect the bedroom to the rest of the residence
Where there are no hallways outside the bedrooms, alarms must be placed in the section of the home where the bedroom is located, and the remainder of the level of the house
On levels of the house where there are no bedrooms, a smoke alarm must be installed in the location that people will most likely to travel to exit the residence
Smoke alarms must be photoelectric (AS3786:2014), and must not also contain an ionisation sensor, in new dwellings and residences with substantial renovations.
Smoke alarms must be hardwired to the mains power supply with a secondary power source (i.e., battery), in new dwellings and residences with substantial renovations.
If more than one smoke alarm is needed in the home, all must be interconnected (so that all smoke alarms sound, even if only one alarm activates, in new dwellings and residences with substantial renovations.
Smoke alarms must be less than 10 years old and must be operable

South Australia

In South Australia, the legislation for 2022 states that*:

All new homes require smoke alarms

Smoke alarms must be hardwired to the 240 volt mains power supply, except where the residence is not connected to such a supply
In case of a power failure, smoke alarms must include a back-up battery
Smoke alarms must be powered by 10 year life, non-replaceable, non-removable, permanently connected batteries, where residences are not connected to mains power

Western Australia

In Western Australia, the legislation for 2022 states that:

Smoke alarms powered by mains must be fitted in all residential dwellings
Smoke alarms must not be more than 10 years old at the time ownership is transferred, or is made available for rent or hire
Smoke alarms must be in working order
Smoke alarms must be permanently connected (hard-wired) to consumer mains power.
If the construction of the residential building doesnt provide space to conceal the wiring and no suitable alternative location or mains power supply exists, Smoke alarms with a non-removable ten year battery life are allowed
Smoke alarms must be installed in accordance with the Building Code of Australia (BCA) applicable at the time of installation
Where there is more than one alarm, smoke alarms to be interconnected, except in residential buildings that were approved for construction prior to 1 May 2015

Tasmania

In Tasmania, the legislation for 2022 states that:

Both new and residential buildings that have had renovations that required a building permit must have a minimum of one smoke alarm on each level (from August 1997)
A direct connection to the electrical supply of that building (hardwiring) is required
In case of a power failure, smoke alarms must include a back-up battery

Northern Territory

In Northern Territory, the legislation for 2022 states that:

All residential buildings or movable dwellings (including caravans) must have approved smoke alarms installed
Smoke alarms must be either hardwired to the home's power supply and installed by a licensed electrician
If it is not possible to hardwire the smoke alarms, they must be powered by a a sealed lithium battery unit with a 10-year life
Smoke alarms that are battery-powered are able to be manually installed as per manufacturer instructions
Installed smoke alarm must be photoelectric type smoke alarms
Owners must test each smoke, at least once every 12 months

When it comes to choosing the right smoke alarm for your needs, compliance and safety come first. Smoke alarms are critical to keeping residential properties safe from fire and preventing injury or death. The new legislation for each state that is coming in 2022 will go a long way toward ensuring that smoke alarms save homes and lives.

Our new interconnected wired and wireless photoelectric smoke alarms meet the standards of 2022 legislation for every State and Territory in Australia and can connect up to 40 smoke alarms wirelessly, without an additional wireless base. Most smoke alarms on the market need an extra screw-on RF wireless base and can only connect 12, 20 or 24 units, however our range of photoelectric smoke alarms with interconnectivity for up to 40 devices, straight out of the box, with internal wireless RF.

Ready to choose interconnected Photoelectric Smoke Alarms or another alarm type that suits your needs?

Smoke Alarms legislation: Changes to be ready for in each state

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