Are you aware that new smoke alarm legislation commenced in Queensland on 1 January 2017?
Did you also know that when you sleep your sense of smell shuts down? As it turns out, the phrase 'wake up and smell the coffee' is true. You can only smell the coffee after you have woken up.
Not being able to smell when you are asleep is something of a human design fault. If a fire starts in your home, toxic fumes can overcome you. Smoke alarms are therefore very important domestic safety devices.
The new legislation's aim is to prevent all house fire deaths. There is plenty of time available for home owners to become compliant, but we believe it is a good idea to consider having the new alarms installed as soon as possible.
New and substantially renovated homes are now required to have interconnected Australian Standard (AS) 3786-2014 photoelectric smoke alarms in all bedrooms, in hallways where bedrooms are connected, and on each and every level of the residence. This applies to homes where building applications were lodged after 1 January 2017.
Requirements for other homes will be phased in over 10 years. Interconnected AS 3786-2014 photoelectric smoke alarms will be required from:
1 January 2022 in all homes leased and sold
1 January 2027 in all other homes.
In the meantime, if a homeowner replaces a legally required smoke alarm in an existing dwelling, it must be replaced with a photoelectric smoke alarm that complies with Australian Standard 3786:2014. If that smoke alarm is powered by 240 volts, it must be replaced with a 240-volt smoke alarm. If the smoke alarm is not powered by 240 volts, it may be replaced with tamper-proof, 10-year battery smoke alarm.
Photoelectric smoke alarms detect visible particles of combustion.
They respond to a wide range of fires, but are particularly responsive to smouldering fires and the dense smoke given off by foam-filled furnishings or overheated PVC wiring.
Your protection against fire increases with the quality and type of smoke alarm that is installed. Research indicates that photoelectric smoke alarms are generally more effective across a wider range of fires experienced in homes.
Download the Photoelectric Smoke Alarms Information Sheet (pdf) for more information.
