Smoke Alarm Legislation

EXISTING DWELLINGS FOR OWNERS / OCCUPIERS 

From 1 January 2017 From 1 January 2027 

When replacing smoke alarms, they  must be of a photoelectric type  which complies with Australian  Standard (AS) 3786-2014.  

Existing smoke alarms  

manufactured more than ten years  ago must be replaced. (Note:  Smoke alarms should have the date  of manufacture stamped on them.)  

Smoke alarms that do not operate  when tested must be replaced  immediately. 

Existing hardwired smoke alarms  that need replacement must be  replaced with a hardwired smoke  alarm.  

Smoke alarms in all dwellings must: 

1. i) be photoelectric (AS 3786-2014); and 
2. ii) not also contain an ionisation sensor; and  

iii) be less than 10 years old; and 

1. iv) operate when tested; and 
2. v) be interconnected with every other smoke alarm in the dwelling so all  activate together. 

Smoke alarms must be installed on each storey: 

1. i) in each bedroom; and 
2. ii) in hallways which connect bedrooms and the rest of the dwelling; or  iii) if there is no hallway, between the bedrooms and other parts of the  storey; and 
3. iv) 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. 

Smoke alarms must be either hardwired or powered by a non-removable  10 year battery, or a combination of both may be allowed. 

DWELLINGS BEING SOLD, LEASED OR AN EXISTING LEASE IS RENEWED From 1 January 2017 From 1 January 2022 

Requirements as for existing  dwellings.  

Existing landlord’s and tenant’s  obligations regarding the  

installation and testing of smoke  alarms continue. 

Property sellers must continue  to lodge a Form 24 with the  Queensland Land Registry Office  stating the requirements of the  smoke alarm legislation have  been met. 

Smoke alarms in the dwelling must: 

1. i) be photoelectric (AS 3786-2014); and 
2. ii) not also contain an ionisation sensor; and  

iii) be less than 10 years old; and 

1. iv) operate when tested; and 
2. v) be interconnected with every other smoke alarm in the dwelling so all  activate together. 

Smoke alarms must be installed on each storey: 

1. i) in each bedroom; and 
2. ii) in hallways which connect bedrooms and the rest of the dwelling; or  iii) if there is no hallway, between the bedrooms and other parts of the  storey; and 
3. iv) 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. 

Smoke alarms must be hardwired or powered by a non-removable 10-year  battery, or a combination of both may be allowed.

© State of Queensland (Queensland Fire and Emergency Services) 2020 All Queensland Fire and Emergency Services material in this document –  except any material protected by a trademark, and unless otherwise noted  – is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license.  

Ver 08/2020 

NEW DWELLINGS AND DWELLINGS BEING SUBSTANTIALLY RENOVATED From 1 January 2017 Smoke alarms in the dwelling must: 

The development approval process  for new dwellings and substantial renovations will ensure that  building approvals received on or  after this date will bring dwellings into compliance with the new laws. 

1. i) be photoelectric (AS 3786-2014); and 
2. ii) not also contain an ionisation sensor; and  

iii) be hardwired to the mains power supply with a secondary power source  (i.e. battery); and 

1. iv) be interconnected with every other smoke alarm in the dwelling so all  activate together. 

Smoke alarms must be installed on each storey: 

1. i) in each bedroom; and 
2. ii) in hallways which connect bedrooms and the rest of the dwelling; or  iii) if there is no hallway, between the bedrooms and other parts of the  storey; and 
3. iv) 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. 

PRESCRIBED LOCATIONS FOR INSTALLING SMOKE ALARMS 

Where practicable smoke alarms must be placed on the ceiling. Smoke alarms must not be placed: 

1. i) within 300mm of a corner of a ceiling and a wall; 
2. ii) within 300mm of a light fitting; 

iii) within 400mm of an air-conditioning vent; 

1. iv) within 400mm of the blades of a ceiling fan. 

There are special requirements for stairways, sloping ceilings, and ceilings with exposed beams. These requirements  are explained in the Building Fire Safety Regulation 2008. Penalties may be imposed for non compliance with the law. 

GLOSSARY OF TERMS* 

Dwellings – houses, townhouses (Class 1A) and units (Class 2). 

Photoelectric – the method the device uses to detect smoke.  

Hardwired – connected to the domestic dwelling’s  

electricity supply. 

Interconnected – if one smoke alarm sounds all the other  

smoke alarms will also sound. Interconnection can be wired  

or wireless. 

Storey – a space within a building which is situated between  

one floor level and the floor level or roof above.  

*Refer to specific legislation for full definitions.  

Source documents 

» Fire and Emergency Services Act 1990 

» Building Fire Safety Regulation 2008  

» Building Regulation 2006 

» Australian Standard (AS) 3786-2014 » Land Title Act 1994

For more information visit  

www.qfes.qld.gov.au/smokealarms or  email SmokeAlarms@qfes.qld.gov.au.  

Is anyone looking for professional smoke alarm installers? Contact us today on 1300 257 561 and we will do the work professionally.