One of the most groundbreaking changes in the new QLD Smoke Alarm legislation is the provision on smoke detector placement. Under the new rules, almost every room in the home must be installed with smoke alarms. These tougher laws are expected to further promote home fire safety throughout Queensland.

Smoke detector placement according to the new rules

According to the new rules, smoke detectors must be installed in the following locations:

• Each storey:
• In each bedroom; and
• 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.

The number of smoke alarms to be installed will vary depending on the structural feature of the property, the number of storeys, bedrooms, and hallways that connect bedrooms and the rest of the home.

Following the new rules on smoke detector placement will take you one step closer to compliance, but that’s not all there is to the amended legislation. It also sets specific requirements concerning the technology of the alarms, and time frames of implementation depending on the use of the property.

Smoke Alarm Requirements

• Only photoelectric smoke alarms that comply with Australian Standard 3786-2014 must be installed when a smoke alarm is replaced or installed starting January 1, 2017.
• All smoke alarms must be either hardwired to the dwelling’s electricity supply or powered by a non-removable lithium battery with a 10-year life.
• All smoke alarms must be interconnected to every other smoke alarm installed in the dwelling.

Do you have further questions about smoke detector placement and requirements based on the new QLD smoke alarm rules? Our compliance experts are here to help! At Safe Home Services, we aim to empower you with the information you need to bring you up to compliance. Click a button below to post your questions, and we’ll answer them shortly!