Smoke Detectors
Smoke alarms are very important domestic safety devices. Residential occupancies account for mosy fire fatalities where most of these occur at night during sleeping hours. The risk of death from fire in a home is up to three times higher in homes without smoke alarms when compared to homes with smoke alarms. In Queensland, nearly 80% of all home fire deaths occur in homes without smoke alarms and almost 50% of deaths occur between 12am - 8am when people are sleeping.
Smoke alarm legislation has already resulted in more lives being saved in other states where smoke alarms have been made compulsory. New Queensland laws are similar to arrangements in New South Wales and Victoria which require that owners of all homes and units (Class 1 and sole occupancy in Class 2 buildings) to install and maintain smoke alarms in all older (pre 1997) homes by 1 July 2007.
To ensure compliance, vendors selling properties will be required to lodge a form with the Queensland Land Registry stating that operational smoke alarms are installed in the property.
Since July 1997, mains powered (240 volt) smoke alarms have been required in all new and significantly renovated (more than 50% of the building) homes and units.
From 1 July 2007, a lessor or agent will be required to install smoke alarms in all rental properties, the minimum legal requirement being a 9 volt battery operated smoke alarm with a one year battery.
Queensland Fire and Rescue statistics indicate fires have been attended where the smoke alarm has not operated because batteries were flat or removed. Therefore, it is recommended that lessors consider installing alarms that are more reliable than the basic alarm.
Other Types of Alarms Available
- Mains power supply or hard-wired (240 volt) smoke alarms where some models feature a rechargeable battery back-up
- 9 volt long life lithium smoke alarms that have 10 year lithium batteries installed. This type of smoke alarm provides a higher degree of reliability at a reasonable cost.
A lessor or agent must test and clean each smoke alarm within 30 days before the start of a tenancy. In addition, a lessor or agent must replace, in accordance with manufacturer's instructions, each battery in the smoke alarm the lessor or agent is aware is almost flat within 30 days before the start of a tenancy.
The lessor or agent must also replace the smoke alarm unit before it reaches the end of its service life as indicated by the warranty offered by the manufacturer. If the smoke alarm reaches the end of its service life, the lessor or agent must replace it immediately. Should the smoke alarm appear to fail, other than because the battery is flat or almost flat, the tenant must advice the lessor or agent as soon as practicable.
A lessor or agent is only required by law to test and clean smoke alarms at the start of a tenancy. Tenants are required by law to test and clean each smoke alarm in the dwelling at least once every 12 months. Tenants are also required by law to replace, in accordance with the information statement that is provided to the tenant, each battery that is flat or almost flat.
As a legal minimum requirement, a smoke alarm must be installed on or near the ceiling on any storey:
- between any area containing bedrooms and the rest of the house or unit hallways
- on a storey not containing bedrooms on the most likely evacuation route from the storey.
Queensland Fire & Rescue Service strongly recommends that you consider installing additional alarms. In cases where occupants sleep with the door closed, it is especially recommended that an alarm be installed in each bedroom. For further information on where to install smoke alarms in your home go to the Queensland Fire & Rescue website at www.fire.qld.gov.au or read the manufacturer's instructions.
On the sale of a property from 1 July 2007, the vendor will have to lodge a Form 24 with the Queensland Land Registry stating that smoke alarms are installed in the porperty and that the purchaser has been informed that alarms are installed. Fire Officers will investigate complaints received about residential non-compliance. There will be a maximum fine of $375 for failing to install alarms by 1 July 2007.
Almost 20% of Queensland homes do not have smoke alarms installed. Almost 10% of homes have alarms installed that are not working because batteries are flat or missing. By extending alarm coverage to the 268,000 homes currently without alarms there is potential to save 106 lives over the next 20 years and around $70M in property loss and personal injury.
Further information on smoke alarms is available by phoning 1300 369 003 or visiting the Queensland Fire & Rescue website at www.fire.qld.gov.au.