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The new legislation 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 motels, dormitories, caravans or other buildings. These other buildings are covered by the requirements of the National Construction Code (NCC). 

From 1 January 2022 for dwellings being leased, re-leased or sold.

From 1 January 2027 for all other dwellings.

The smoke alarms installed after these dates will be required to be powered by either hard-wired 240-volt or 10-year non-removable 10 year battery and be interconnected by either wired or wirelessly to all other required smoke alarms in the dwelling. All smoke alarms that are required by legislation must be AS3786–2014 compliant smoke alarms.    

From 1 January 2022 for dwellings being leased, released or sold or 1 January 2027 for all other dwellings

Smoke alarms must be installed on 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.
  
  Additional information is available in the Smoke Alarm Installation Fact Sheet. (PDF 548KB)

While the centre of the room is the preferred location for smoke alarms, this is not a requirement. On the ceiling and they must be 300mm from corners or lights and 400mm from anything that may blow air such as an air conditioner or the edge of the blade of a ceiling fan. There are special requirements for sloping ceilings and ceilings with exposed beams. 

• All new constructions and major renovations require hardwired 240-volt smoke alarms. 
• An existing dwelling with 240-volt smoke alarms must replace them when required with 240-volt photoelectric type smoke alarms.
• An existing dwelling with battery operated smoke alarms may replace them when required with battery operated photoelectric type smoke alarms that meet the Australian Standard 3786–2014.
• From 1 January 2022 for dwellings being leased/released or sold, or 1 January 2027 for all other dwellings, all battery operated smoke alarms must be 10-year non-removable battery smoke alarms.

This means that if one smoke alarm detects smoke, they all sound. Interconnected smoke alarms are connected to other smoke alarms in the dwelling either directly or wirelessly. 

Red smoke alarms are photoelectric, of the highest quality and certified to Australian Standard AS3786:2014. Every Red smoke alarm is backed by a 10 year warranty. Red smoke alarms have been designed to be of the highest quality with outstanding reliability. Every Red smoke alarm has to pass countless quality control checks throughout the manufacturing process ensuring that Red smoke alarms are the most reliable, functional smoke alarms in Australia.

Red Smoke Alarms is 100% Australian owned.

If hardwired interconnected photoelectric smoke alarms are activating and there is no identifiable cause for the activation (eg. dust), the issue could be related to either the power supply or incorrect installation. Hardwired smoke alarms refer to devices which are connected to the household 240 volt supply.

(There are a number of reasons for false activations originating from battery operated alarms such has maintenance i.e. dirt trapped in the alarm, age of the device or a faulty device.)

In some regional or remote areas in Queensland, fluctuations in the power supply travelling to your house or from electrical/electronic equipment in your home may cause false activations of hardwired smoke alarms. This is also known as ‘dirty power’ and solar energy may also cause these fluctuations in power supply. To overcome this problem, a filter can be installed on the switchboard to reduce the impact of these fluctuations in power supply.

Incorrect installation of smoke alarms can also cause false activations of hardwired interconnected photoelectric smoke alarms. Manufacturers have specific instructions which must be followed when installing interconnected photoelectric smoke alarms. Smoke alarms should not be connected to lighting circuits with dimmers as this will cause false activations.

To reduce the instance of false activations, homeowners should discuss the installation of hardwired (240v) smoke alarms with a licensed electrician who can provide advice and solutions.

Smoke alarms can be interconnected any way that allows all smoke alarms to sound when one is in alarm (i.e. when one activates they all sound). This can be done by physically wiring together or using wireless technology (or a combination of both). Wireless technology is available for both 240-volt and battery operated smoke alarms. 

The landlord is responsible for the installation of smoke alarms that comply with legislation.

Additional information on installation is available in the Smoke Alarm Installation Fact Sheet