New Smoke
Alarm Regulations and why you should act now

As of the 1st of January 2027 new smoke alarm legislation takes affect for all home owners

Will you comply?

 Not sure... just drop us a line.

Smoke alarm query

Do you know how old your smoke alarms are?

Are you renovating?

Are your alarms interconnected?

Do you own a rental property?

Common Questions

See some common questions and answers below, or call us on 0450 637 026. 

  • What if I own and live in my own home?
    • Existing smoke alarms manufactured more than 10 years ago must be replaced with photoelectric smoke alarms which comply with Australian Standards (AS) 3786-2014. (Note: the date should be stamped on the back)
    • Smoke alarms that do not operate when tested must be replaced immediately.
    • If they are replaced they must be replaced with AS3786-2014 compliant photoelectric smoke alarms and powered by what is currently there (i.e. if they are powered by 240-volt they must be replaced with 240-volt smoke detectors, otherwise they can be powered by 10 year non-removable batteries)
    • From 1 Jan 2027, all smoke alarms are required to be interconnected  and installed in the following locations: 
    1. On each storey
    2. In each bedroom
    3. In hallways that connect bedrooms and the rest of the dwelling
    4. If there is no hallway, between the bedroom and other parts of the storey; and
    5. If there are no bedrooms on a story, at least one smoke alarm must be installed in the most likely path of travel to exit the dwelling.
  • What do I do if I am renovating?
    • As part of a building approval process, requiring a Building Certifier, all new homes and renovations should have the required smoke alarms installed and a form 16 supplied by your electrician
  • What if I have no ceiling space?
    • A wireless smoke alarm uses wireless radio frequency (RF) transmissions to interconnect up to 40 smoke alarms depending on the model. It enables smoke alarms to be connected to each other without the need for cabling between the alarms.
    • At the time of installation these smoke alarms wirelessly connect to each other, much the same way as you would ‘pair’ Bluetooth devices.
  • Can I have 9v removable battery alarms
    • 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.
  • What should I expect If I am buying a property?
    • From Jan 1 2022, All homes or units being sold will require hardwired photoelectric, interconnected smoke alarms. 
    • Smoke alarms in the dwelling must:
    1. be photoelectric (AS3786-2014); and
    2. not also contain an ionisation sensor; and
    3. Be hardwired to the mains power supply, if currently hardwired. Otherwise, smoke alarms can be either hardwired or powered by a non removable 10 yr battery or a combination of both.
    4. be interconnected with every other smoke alarm in the dwelling so all activate together.
    • The new legislation requires smoke alarms to be installed in the following locations 
    1. On each storey
    2. In each bedroom
    3. In hallways that connect bedrooms and the rest of the dwelling
    4. If there is no hallway, between the bedroom and other parts of the storey; and
    5. If there are no bedrooms on a story, at least one smoke alarm must be installed in the most likely path of travel to exit the dwelling.
  • When do I need to comply by?

    From 1 January 2017 for all new and substantially renovated homes 


    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. 

  • Where do I need to install them?

    The new legislation requires smoke alarms to be installed in the following locations if you are building or doing a substancial renovation, or if a landlord replacing smoke alarms in there rental property. As of Jan 1 2022 this will also apply to those selling/buying property and all rental properties:

    • On each storey
    • In each bedroom
    • In hallways that connect bedrooms and the rest of the dwelling
    • If there is no hallway, between the bedroom and other parts of the storey; and
    • If there are no bedrooms on a story, at least one smoke alarm must be installed in the most likely path of travel to exit the dwelling.
  • What is Photoelectric and interconnected mean? How do I know what I have?

    Photoelectric 

    * These alarms work using a photoelectric sensor and a light source. As smoke enters the chamber and crosses the path of the light beam, light is scattered by the smoke particles, aiming it toward the sensor, which in turn triggers the alarm. 


    Interconnected: 

    * Most mains-powered and some battery-powered alarms can be connected to each other, so that if one goes off, so do the rest, helping ensure that everyone in the home is alerted as soon as possible

    * In an interconnected installation, all interconnected alarms should sound when the test feature on any one of the interconnected alarms is activated. If no alarm sounds, check the fuse or circuit breaker supplying power to the alarm circuit

Penalties can be costly!

  •  There are approximately 400,000-500,000 QLD Rental properties that must be made compliant. Due to an increased demand the cost of installation will skyrocket.
  • Big fines will apply for non-compliance.
  • Insurance companies may not cover you if a fire happens and you can't prove you are compliant.
  • Thousands of landlords will lose their ongoing income if they are non-compliant
  • Tenants will not be able to renew their leases if the property is non-compliant
  • Rental properties will be left vacant and will not be able to be rented.

Stage 1 - COMPLETE

Smoke alarm legislation commenced in QLD from 1 January 2017.

  • 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.
  • Smoke alarms that do not operate when tested must be replaced immediately.
  • Existing smoke alarms manufactured more than 10 years ago must be replaced with photoelectric smoke alarms which comply with Australian Standards (AS) 3786-2014. (Note: the date should be stamped on the back)
  • For rentals or home sales, 9-volt removable battery smoke alarms are legal until 1 January 2022 


Stage 2 - COMPLETE

Smoke alarm legislation in QLD from 1 January 2022.

Stage 1 of the Legislation will now apply to all houses leased and sold.

  • If a landlord installs or replaces a smoke alarm, regardless of the age of a dwelling, it must be replaced with a compliant photoelectric smoke alarm and powered by what is currently there (i.e. if they are powered by 240-volt they must be replaced with 240-volt smoke detectors, otherwise they can be powered by 10 year non-removable batteries)
  • If a landlord is not compliant by 1 January 2022, they will not be legally able to rent their property.
  • Property sellers must continue to lodge a Form 24 stating the requirements of the law have been met. 

Stage 3

Final changes commence in QLD from 1 January 2027.

Stage 1 of the Legislation will now apply to all existing private homes, townhouses and units

  • This is when all properties throughout Queensland are required to be compliant.
  • Upgrading your smoke alarms can be costly, particularly for larger properties. We suggest arranging quotes now so you can budget to ensure you meet regulations by the required date.
  • If you don't understand or know what you may need to do, it is best to have a qualified electrician attend your property to explain what you may require in order to bring up to the regulations.