Smoke alarms detect smoke, which is why they’re so instrumental in fire safety and preventing home accidents from becoming disastrous. Newer advancements in smoke alarms mean that you can also get heat alarms instead, so you can even have protection in rooms that would normally get too steamy or smokey to keep a regular smoke detector effective.
Smoke alarms are always a good idea, but are they really necessary in every room of the house? How many do you need to install in a new build? Today we’re aiming to answer any and all questions you have on them, so keep reading to find out more!
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What are the smoke alarm regulations in Queensland?
Queensland’s legislative requirements have been put in place since 2017, and they specify everything from the type, positioning, and interconnectedness. The current Queensland Fire Department smoke alarm requirements state that you must:
- Have photoelectric smoke alarms installed
- Make sure your smoke alarms are compliant with the AS3786-2014 standard by checking they’re marked with this number
- Have your alarms hardwired to the mains power supply with a secondary power source, or have them powered by a non-removable 10-year battery
- Interconnect your smoke alarms together so they all activate together
- Make sure your smoke alarms don’t contain an ionisation sensor
Smoke alarm installation requirements
Private homes, townhouses, and units
When installing smoke alarms in a private home, townhouse, or a unit, they must be:
- Installed on each storey
- Installed in each bedroom
- In hallways that connect bedrooms and the rest of the dwelling
If there’s no hallway between the bedroom and other parts of the storey, or no bedrooms on a storey, you should still have at least one smoke alarm installed in the most likely path of travel when leaving the dwelling.
Maintaining your smoke alarm requirements
The Queensland Fire Department notes that your smoke alarms must be regularly dusted and vacuumed to make sure there isn’t any dust or debris blocking their sensors. They should be kept connected and working at all times, even if you notice them going off frequently. Smoke alarms sometimes blast when there’s no fire, which can be annoying. However, it’s also incredibly dangerous to remove the batteries or disable interconnected photoelectric smoke alarms.
Make sure you regularly test the alarms to make sure they’re working and vacuum them to prevent dust from affecting the sensors.
How do I make sure that my smoke alarms are compliant with QLD regulations?
By 1st January 2027, all existing private homes, townhouses, and units need to be fitted with interconnected photoelectric smoke alarms that follow the regulations we outlined above. While you might think that you have plenty of time to do this, it’s best to get it done straight away to avoid fines and penalties from your local council. To make sure your smoke alarms are compliant, find out and keep a record of:
- The expiry date of your alarms
- Where your alarms are installed and each room that needs one
- If you’re still allowed to use battery-operated alarms
When building a new home, you’ll need to hire a Building Certifier to oversee the processes and safety of the construction work done. Your Building Certifier will make sure that your smoke alarms are in line with the National Construction Code’s (NCC) requirements. This should help make sure your smoke alarms are compliant with the current laws, so you shouldn’t have to worry about being the only person to check this.
Are there any exemptions to the smoke alarm regulations?
No, there are no exemptions to the smoke alarm legislation set out in Queensland, although specific types of housing, such as boarding houses and hostels, might have different requirements. However, with this being said, they will still need at least one photoelectric smoke alarm installed to keep tenants safe in the event of a fire.
What are the consequences of not following the smoke alarm regulations?
Failing to comply with smoke alarm regulations in Queensland can put you at risk of significant consequences, including:
- Financial penalties, including hefty fines for failure to install or maintain your smoke alarms
- Legal liability, especially if damages and injuries occur in the event of a fire where you didn’t install smoke alarms
- Insurance issues, including denied claims relating to damage if it’s found out that you didn’t comply with the smoke alarm regulations
Fire safety is never something to mess with or take a relaxed approach to, so we highly recommend that you abide by the laws and install the correct number of photoelectric smoke alarms in your new home.
How much will your smoke alarms cost?
The price of your smoke alarms will depend on a number of factors, including whether you’re installing them yourself or paying a professional to do it. As the regulations state they need to be interconnected, we highly recommend opting for a professional electrician if you’re not completely comfortable with installing electrics yourself, as this can be dangerous.
The average price of installing smoke alarms, including the alarm itself, will cost between $120 and $140 per alarm. Remember that these need to be photoelectric rather than ionisation, so they’ll cost a little more than the latter.
How many smoke alarms will you need?
Again, the number of smoke alarms needed in your home will vary depending on its layout and the number of bedrooms and storeys. Smaller homes with only one bedroom and one storey might only need two alarms, while a larger house with five bedrooms over two storeys may need at least seven.
Here’s a full breakdown of the minimum number of smoke alarms you’ll need depending on your number of bedrooms and storeys:
- One bedroom:
- One storey: 2
- Two storeys: 3
- Two bedrooms:
- One storey: 3
- Two storeys: 4
- Three bedrooms:
- One storey: 4
- Two storeys: 5
- Four bedrooms:
- One storey: 5
- Two storeys: 6
- Five bedrooms:
- One storey: 6
- Two storeys: 7
How much will a building inspector cost to review my new build QLD?
The price of your building inspector will vary greatly depending on your property’s size, including how many rooms it has and how long construction takes. Owners of larger new builds might expect to pay between $400 and $500 for their inspection, while smaller homes require shorter visits and, therefore, can be cheaper at around $200 to $300.
Building inspectors won’t just take a look at your smoke alarms – they’ll also check everything is up to code and safe. A building inspector is required for new builds in Queensland, so make sure you hire one to oversee the entirety of your construction work!
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