Smoke alarms can help save lives by providing occupants with an early warning about fires. It’s not an option, smoke alarm legislation is the law.
The Development Act 1993 requires the owner of a residential rental property, to install and maintain fully operational smoke alarms.
The type of smoke alarm you require depends on when you purchased your home or the age of your home.
Homes or residential rental properties purchased before 1 February 1998
You are required to fit a replaceable battery-powered smoke alarm.
Homes or residential rental properties purchased on or after 1 February 1998
Regulation 76B of the Development Regulations 2008 requires a smoke alarm (or smoke alarms) to be fitted within six months from the day on which the title is transferred and be either:
- A 240 volt, mains-powered smoke alarm
- A 10-year life, non-replaceable, non-removable, permanently connected battery-powered smoke alarm.
Homes or residential rental properties built on or after 1 January 1995
The Building Code of Australia requires a 240-volt, mains-powered smoke alarm.
Interconnection of smoke alarms
New dwellings and new additions or extensions to existing dwellings require the interconnection of smoke alarms. Interconnecting smoke alarms means that when one alarm is activated, it will activate all other alarms in the occupancy.
Smoke alarm compliance can be made a breeze by working with OC partners. For less than $200 per year (which is usually tax-deductible), your legislative obligations can be met, mitigating the risks involved with non-compliance including dismissal of insurance claims, personal injury or worse.
