Smoke Alarm Installations & Compliance Certificates on the Gold Coast

Keeping homes and businesses compliant.

Get Smoke Alarm Certified Today

Whether you’re looking to sell your home or lease your business, having a smoke alarm compliance certificate is a must. At JL Electrical Solutions, we’ll visit your Gold Coast home or business, and inspect your smoke alarms to ensure they're installed correctly and are operational, before providing you with a certificate of compliance.


Our experienced electricians will ensure all smoke alarms are interconnected and operational when tested. If your smoke alarms are not up to current Australian standards, we can replace them for you. To book a smoke alarm installation or inspection, get in touch with Josh on 0432 655 540. We service Tweed Heads, Palm Beach, Burleigh Heads, Robina, Varsity Lakes and the surrounding suburbs.

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Smoke Alarm Compliance Requirements

In Queensland, a smoke alarm compliance certificate is required for various legal and safety reasons, including:

 

Renting or leasing a property: The landlord is responsible for ensuring that all safety regulations are met, including the proper installation and maintenance of smoke alarms.

 

Selling a property: When a property is sold, the vendor often needs to provide a smoke alarm compliance certificate to the buyer to show that the property complies with all fire safety regulations.

 

Building or renovating: If you're constructing a new building or significantly renovating an existing one, local councils or building certifiers might require a smoke alarm compliance certificate.

 

Insurance purposes: Insurance companies may require a smoke alarm compliance certificate as a condition for providing coverage for a property.

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Installing Interconnected Smoke Alarms on the Gold Coast

Smoke alarms are not only an important safety feature, but they’re also a legal requirement for all residential, commercial and industrial properties. At JL Electrical Solutions, our electricians will ensure your home or business is compliant and safe from fires by installing hardwired, photoelectric interconnected smoke alarms. We’ll also provide you with a certificate of compliance for your peace of mind.


Whether you’re building your dream home or renovating your business, we’ll ensure your property is compliant with Australian standards. If your property has smoke alarms that do not operate when tested or from more than 10 years ago, we’ll also replace those. If you’re unsure if your property meets the current smoke alarm laws, give us a call on 0432 655 540 – we’re more than happy to help! We service Tweed Heads, Palm Beach, Burleigh Heads, Robina, Varsity Lakes and the surrounding suburbs.

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Smoke Alarm Laws

As of January 2022, all homes or units being sold, leased or released require hardwired photoelectric, interconnected smoke alarms with a non-removable 10-year battery. Smoke alarms in dwellings must:

 

  • Be photoelectric (AS3786-2014)
  • Not also contain an ionisation sensor
  • Be interconnected with every other smoke alarm in the dwelling
  • Be installed on each storey
  • Be installed in each bedroom
  • Be installed between the bedroom and other parts of the storey if there is no hallway
  • Be installed in the most likely path of travel to exit the dwelling if there are no bedrooms on a storey

 

Smoke alarms must also be hardwired to the mains power supply, if currently hardwired. Otherwise, smoke alarms can be either hardwired or powered by a non-removable 10-year battery or a combination of both.

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Smoke Alarm Requirements for Landlords and Property Managers

For rental properties in Queensland, landlords and property managers have several responsibilities:


Maintenance: Smoke alarms must be tested and cleaned within 30 days of each tenancy change or renewal. This ensures the device's functionality and reliability.


Replacement: Alarms have a specific lifespan. Landlords are required to replace them before their expiry date. Additionally, batteries, if not hardwired, must be replaced when they near the end of their life.


2022 Standards: From 1 January 2022, rental properties must:


  • Comply with Australian Standard 3786-2014
  • Use photoelectric alarms 
  • Preferably be hardwired or use a non-removable 10-year battery
  • Ensure alarms are functional when tested
  • Have interconnected alarms for simultaneous activation


Installation Locations: Alarms must be installed on each storey, in each bedroom, in hallways connecting bedrooms and in paths of travel to exit the dwelling. Specific exclusion zones, such as near light fittings or air conditioning vents must be observed.


Smoke Alarm Requirements When Selling a Property


When selling a property, sellers in Queensland have specific duties:


Disclosure: Sellers must inform potential buyers about the property's compliance with smoke alarm legislation. This ensures transparency in property transactions.


Installation Requirements: Similar to rental properties, those being sold must have alarms installed in specific locations, adhering to the 2022 standards.


Owner-Occupied Property Smoke Alarm Requirements


Owners residing in their properties have the following obligations:


Maintenance: Regular testing and cleaning of smoke alarms is best practice. This ensures the safety of the residents and the longevity of the device.


2027 Standards: By 1 January 2027, all owner-occupied properties must adhere to the standards set for rental properties. This includes the type of alarm, its power source and its installation locations.


Renovations: If an owner-occupied property undergoes significant renovations, it might need to meet the new requirements immediately, depending on the scope of the renovation.


Smoke Alarm Requirements for Tenants 


Tenants in rental properties also have specific duties:


Maintenance: Annual testing and cleaning of smoke alarms are required. This ensures the device's functionality and the safety of the occupants.


Tampering: Tenants are prohibited from removing or altering the smoke alarms. Any issues with the alarms, apart from battery replacements, should be reported to the property manager or owner.


Access: Tenants must allow property managers or owners access to the property for the installation, testing and maintenance of smoke alarms. This ensures compliance with the legislation.

Smoke Alarm FAQs

Everything you need to know about smoke alarm compliance.

  • What is a smoke alarm compliance certificate?

    A smoke alarm compliance certificate is a document that states the property has been inspected and tested to ensure all smoke alarms are in working order. The certificate, which must be issued by a licensed electrician, also outlines the date of installation, type of alarm and pass or fail status of each device. 

  • Who needs a smoke alarm compliance certificate?

    Smoke alarm compliance certificates are required for all rental properties in Australia, including both commercial and residential. The certificate must be provided to the tenant upon signing of the tenancy agreement as proof that the alarms have been tested and meet legal requirements. A smoke alarm compliance certificate will also be required when selling a property.

  • How often do you need to replace smoke alarms?

    Smoke alarms must be replaced every 10 years in Queensland. It is important to ensure that the replacement alarm is an approved device as not all smoke alarms are suitable for installation in a residential property. A licensed electrician should always be used to ensure correct installation and compliance with legal requirements. 

  • How do smoke alarms work?

    Smoke alarms are designed to detect smoke from fires and alert the occupants of a building. They consist of two parts: an electronic sensing chamber and an alarm system. The sensing chamber contains a material which reacts when exposed to smoke, triggering the alarm system. The alarm is loud enough to wake up people who may be sleeping in the building and alert them of any potential danger.

  • Who can install a smoke alarm?

    In Queensland, smoke alarms must be installed and maintained by a licensed electrician. They must also comply with the Building Code of Australia and the relevant state regulations. All smoke alarms should be tested on a regular basis to ensure they are working correctly and have sufficient battery life. 

  • Who can certify smoke alarms?

    In Queensland, smoke alarms must be certified by a licensed electrician. This certification will confirm that the smoke alarm has been installed correctly and is compliant with all relevant regulations. Regular maintenance is also necessary to ensure the system remains functional and up-to-date. The electrician will also provide a certificate of compliance after installing or testing the smoke alarms.

  • Do smoke alarms need to be hardwired in QLD?

    In QLD, smoke alarms can either be hardwired or powered by a non-removable 10-year battery. However, if the previous alarm was hardwired, it must be replaced with a hardwired alarm.

  • Where should smoke alarms be installed in a QLD property?

    In Queensland, smoke alarms must be installed on each storey, inside each bedroom, in hallways connecting bedrooms, and in paths of travel to exit the dwelling. Proper placement ensures maximum coverage and early detection.

  • How often should smoke alarms be replaced in QLD?

    Smoke alarms have a recommended service life of typically 10 years. In Queensland, it's essential to replace smoke alarms before they reach the end of their service life to ensure optimal functionality.