New Smoke Alarm laws effective from 1 January 2017 apply to new domestic dwellings, including properties that are undergoing substantial renovations, rental, and existing properties.
New laws state smoke alarms must be:
• Photoelectric type only
• Hard wired to the electricity supply
• Interconnected to every other smoke alarm in the house
• Installed in each bedroom
• Installed in hallways serving each bedroom, and
• Installed in the exit path of every storey not containing bedrooms Penalties apply for non-compliant dwellings
Notes
• There are various implementation stages and requirements covering new, rental, and existing dwellings/properties.
• Hardwired smoke alarms must be replaced by hardwired smoke alarms.
• Hardwired alarms must only be installed by licensed electrical contractors or licensed electricians employed by licensed electrical contractors.
• Beware of salespeople, businesses, and unlicensed installers parading themselves as smoke alarm experts.
For further information about how the new legislation affects you, visit masterelectricians.com.au/smokealarms
FIRES AND FATALITIES IN QUEENSLAND
• 1,908 RESIDENTIAL FIRES EVERY YEAR
• 23 DEATHS IN 2015
• 78% DEATHS BETWEEN MIDNIGHT AND 8AM
After the recent tragedy in Slacks Creek (read overleaf), the Queensland State Coroner presented evidence that the type, positioning, and interconnectedness of smoke alarms are crucial to ensuring how effective a smoke alarm is in alerting people to the presence of a fire. He recommended two major changes that form the basis of this new legislation.
The new laws aim to protect the lives of every resident, by creating safer homes and one unified smoke alarm system. This means that you will be more rapidly alerted to the presence of a fire in your home. The new laws impact all newly built homes and rentals, plus any home undertaking substantial renovations.
WHAT DO YOU HAVE?
There are two types of smoke alarms:
1. Ionisation smoke alarms
‘Feel’ smoke by detecting invisible particles of combustion, like when you burn your toast in the kitchen, and activate quickly for fast-flaming fires. Evidence suggests they are not as effective at detecting slowsmouldering fires, which are generally the types fires that lead to deaths in homes. These shall no longer be used.
2. Photoelectric smoke alarms
‘See’ smoke by detecting visible particles of combustion and react more quickly to smouldering fires. They are more reliable and less likely to produce false alarms. When photoelectric alarms activate, the smoke is still at the top layer of the ceiling, above head height and this gives residents more time to evacuate safely. This additional warning time is critical in allowing safe escape. All new and replacement smoke alarms shall now be photoelectric.
QUEENSLAND FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES
Safehome is a free initiative; firefighters visit you upon request at a convenient time to identify where smoke alarms should be positioned in your home. Book your free visit online at qfes.qld.gov.au
TRAGEDY AT SLACKS CREEK
On 23 August 2011, a fire started on the ground floor of a house occupied by two families in Slacks Creek. The first of twentythree 000 emergency calls were made at 12.04am on 24 August. Queensland Fire and Emergency Services was notified at 12.05am and arrived at the scene six minutes later. By the time they arrived, the house was already fully engulfed in flames.
This fire caused the greatest loss of life in a domestic house fire in Australian history. Eleven people lost their lives; eight were children. The fire devastated two families and has had a profound impact on the local community and the whole of Queensland.
In reviewing the circumstances that lead to the Slacks Creek fire, the State Coroner made two recommendations:
1. That legislative amendments be made to mandate the installation of photoelectric and interconnected smoke alarms in every bedroom, between areas containing bedrooms, in any hallway servicing bedrooms and in any other storey of a residential dwelling. For new residences, the coroner recommended that the smoke alarms be hardwired, while in existing residences, smoke alarms may be hardwired or powered by a 10-year lithium battery.
2. That Queensland Fire and Emergency Services conduct ongoing awareness campaigns to promote the development of practised escape plans. The new legislation supports both of these recommendations, in hopes of limiting tragedies like this.
BOOK A MASTER ELECTRICIAN TO CHECK YOUR SMOKE ALARMS
Are you concerned that your smoke alarms may not be offering the best protection from house fires?
Put your mind at ease; contact your local Master Electrician today for a safety check via the details provided below.
NAME:
PHONE NUMBER:
EMAIL:
Phone: 1300 889 198
Email: info@masterelectrician.com.au
masterelectricians.com.au/smokealarms