New Queensland Smoke Alarm Laws

There have been changes to the smoke alarm laws in Queensland. The changes impose additional obligations on owners with respect to the installation and maintenance of smoke alarms within their residential property.  

Some important changes to note include the following:-

• Existing smoke alarms manufactured more than 10 years ago must be replaced. The smoke alarms should have the date of manufacture stamped on them.
• Smoke alarms that do not operate when tested must be replaced immediately.
• Existing hardwired smoke alarms that require replacement must be replaced with a hardwired smoke alarm.
• All new smoke alarms must be hardwired or powered by a non-removable 10-year battery.

From 1 January 2027 (or 1 January 2022 for owners who sell, lease or renew a lease) must have smoke alarms that:-

• are photoelectric (AS 3786-2014);
• do not also contain an ionisation sensor;
• are less than 10 years old;
• operate when tested;
• are interconnected with every other smoke alarm in the dwelling so all are activate together; and
• are installed on each storey:
• in each bedroom;
• in hallways which connect bedrooms and the rest of the dwelling or if there is no hallway, between the bedrooms and other parts of the storey; and
• if there are no bedrooms on a storey at least one smoke alarm must be installed in the most likely path of travel to exit the dwelling.

For properties being leased, within 30 days before the start of a lease the owner must test each smoke alarm in the property to ensure compliance with the new laws. The tenant must also test each smoke alarm in the property at least once every 12 months.

For any new houses or substantial renovations being completed, from 1 January 2017 owners must ensure compliance with the new laws. Building work will be a substantial renovation where work is carried out under a building approval for alterations to an existing building or structure, and the alterations, and any previous structural alterations approved or completed in the previous 3 years, account for more than half of the volume of the existing building or structure.

Failing to comply with the new laws may result in a fine of $609.50 for each provision of the new laws that are not complied with.