Are you up to speed with smoke alarms? The new legislation places Queensland at the cutting edge of home fire safety throughout the country. What will affect you, and when, will largely depend on the type of property that you own.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Queensland, Australia, 10 February 2020 – The new laws which commenced on 1 January 2017, only affects class 1a buildings (e.g. houses/townhouses) and class 2 buildings (e.g. units/apartments). It does not include short-term-stay dwellings such as holiday units, motels, dormitories, caravans or other buildings.
The 10-year phased rollout of interconnected photoelectric smoke alarms in Queensland commenced on 1 January 2017. The subsequent phases are due to come into effect in 2022 and 2027. So what does this mean for your home or rental property, and how much time do you have to ensure you are fully compliant?
In short, the installation timeframe will vary depending on your situation, as explained below:
- Homes built or significantly renovated with a completion date after 1 January 2017 will need to be fitted with the new interconnected photoelectric alarms.
- From 1 January 2022: In all dwellings being leased or sold, or an existing lease is renewed.
- From 1 January 2027: In all other domestic dwellings.
Luke Pritchard, owner of Smoke Alarmed on the Sunshine Coast is concerned that a significant number of homeowners are not yet fully conversant with the changes. “I’ve become aware that there are householders who believe there is nothing for them to worry about until the final phase of the rollout on 1 January 2027. However, there are some important aspects everyone needs to be across to ensure they are complying with the recent legislation.” These are described below.
For Existing Dwellings
From 1 January 2017:
- Existing smoke alarms manufactured more than 10 years ago must be replaced with photoelectric smoke alarms which comply with Australian Standards (AS) 3786-2014. Look for the date which should be stamped on the back.
- Smoke alarms that do not operate when tested must be replaced immediately.
- Existing hardwired smoke alarms that need replacement, must be replaced with a hardwired photoelectric smoke alarm.
It is also recommended that smoke alarms be either mains powered or powered by a non-removable 10-year battery, and ionisation smoke alarms be replaced with a photoelectric type as soon as possible.
From 1 January 2027:
Smoke alarms in all dwellings must:
- be photoelectric (AS 3786-2014); and
- also not contain an ionization sensor; and
- be less than 10 years old; and
- operate when tested; and
- be interconnected with every other smoke alarm in the dwelling so all activate together.
Smoke alarms should be installed on each storey in every bedroom, in hallways which connect bedrooms and the rest of the dwelling, and if there is no hallway, between the bedrooms and other parts of the storey. Also, if there are no bedrooms on a storey, at least one smoke alarm should be installed in the most likely path of travel to exit the dwelling. All smoke alarms must be interconnected. Also, smoke alarms must be either mains powered or powered by a non-removable 10-year battery.
Dwellings Being Sold, Leased or an Existing Lease is Renewed
From 1 January 2017: The requirements are as for existing dwellings. For current landlords and tenants, obligations regarding the installation and testing of smoke alarms remain the same. Property sellers must continue to lodge a Form 24 with the Queensland Land Registry Office stating the requirements of the smoke alarm legislation have been met.
New Tenancies:
- Within 30 days prior to the start of a tenancy in a domestic dwelling, the lessor/landlord must test and clean each smoke alarm in the dwelling.
- During a tenancy in a domestic dwelling, the tenant must test and clean each smoke alarm in the dwelling, at least once every 12 months (although monthly is recommended).
- To test a smoke alarm, press the ‘test’ button. Cleaning should be done according to the manufacturer’s instructions, which is usually vacuuming the device.
- You do not need to be qualified or licensed to clean or test a domestic smoke alarm.
Some real estate agents may outsource smoke alarm maintenance to another company with associated fees paid by the landlord. The real estate may request a “certificate of compliance” from these companies as proof of service. This is not a legal requirement but may be part of the real estate agent’s internal process.
From 1 January 2022: Smoke alarms in the dwelling must be photoelectric (AS 3786-2014), and must not contain an ionisation sensor. They must also be less than 10 years old, and operate when tested. They need to be interconnected with every other smoke alarm in the dwelling so all activate together.
Smoke alarms must be installed on each storey: i) in each bedroom, and ii) in hallways which connect bedrooms and the rest of the dwelling; or iii) if there is no hallway, between the bedrooms and other parts of the storey; and iv) 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. Smoke alarms must be hardwired or powered by a non-removable 10-year battery.
New Dwellings and Dwellings Being Substantially Renovated
From 1 January 2017: The development approval process for new dwellings and substantial renovations will ensure that a building approval received on or after this date will bring dwellings into compliance with the new laws.
Smoke alarms in the dwelling must: i) be photoelectric (AS 3786-2014); and ii) also not contain an ionisation sensor; and iii) be hardwired to the mains power supply with a secondary power source (i.e. battery); and iv) be interconnected with every other smoke alarm in the dwelling so all activate together.
Smoke alarms must be installed on each storey: i) in each bedroom, and ii) in hallways which connect bedrooms and the rest of the dwelling; or iii) if there is no hallway, between the bedrooms and other parts of the storey; and iv) 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.
The new legislation specifies the type, positioning, and interconnectedness of alarms, which are critical factors for an early warning and quick escape. To give your family the best chance of surviving a house fire, Queensland Fire and Emergency Services recommends updating your smoke alarms to match the new legislation as soon as you can. In the meantime, make sure all your alarms are working and are properly maintained. Also, to get everyone out safely in the event of a house fire, it is vital to also have a well-practised fire escape plan.
For more information, visit Queensland Fire and Emergency Services
Media Contact
Luke Pritchard
2 Buderim Vista Ct, Buderim QLD 4556 Australia
(07) 5408 4066
Originally Posted On: https://syndication.cloud/the-new-queensland-smoke-alarm-legislation-are-you-aware-of-the-changes-which-will-affect-you/ 