Smoke Alarm Compliance in the Wide Bay — What Every Homeowner Needs to Know

The New Laws — A Quick Summary

From 1 January 2022, new smoke alarm legislation took effect across Queensland. The key changes:

• Photoelectric only. Ionisation smoke alarms are no longer compliant. Photoelectric alarms detect smoke particles from smouldering fires — the most common type of house fire — far more effectively.
• Interconnected. All smoke alarms in a dwelling must be interconnected, so when one activates, they all sound. A fire in the garage at 2am will wake you in the bedroom.
• Hardwired or 10-year battery. Alarms must be either hardwired to mains power with a battery backup, or powered by a sealed 10-year lithium battery. No more removable 9-volt batteries.

Deadlines — When You Must Comply

The compliance deadlines depend on the type of property:

• Rental properties: Must comply when a new tenancy starts or a lease is renewed after 1 January 2022. By 1 January 2027, all rental properties must comply regardless of tenancy status. If you own a rental in the Wide Bay and have not addressed this yet, you have less than a year.
• Owner-occupied homes: Must comply by 1 January 2027 when selling, or when undergoing a significant renovation. New builds must comply at construction.
• Properties being sold: Must comply before settlement from 1 January 2027.

What an Installation Looks Like

A compliant smoke alarm installation in a typical three-bedroom home requires:

• One alarm in each bedroom
• One alarm in the hallway or living area connecting bedrooms
• One alarm on each storey of the home

Alarms must be positioned on the ceiling, at least 300mm from walls and corners, and away from air conditioning vents and ceiling fans that could disrupt smoke flow.

For an interconnected hardwired system, a licensed electrician runs cabling between alarm locations. For wireless interconnected alarms with 10-year batteries, installation is simpler — each unit mounts to the ceiling and they communicate wirelessly. Both options are legal. The trade-off is upfront cost versus long-term maintenance.

Why an Electrician, Not a Handyman

You might think installing smoke alarms is a simple DIY job — drill a couple of holes, twist on a mounting plate. But there is more to it:

• Hardwired alarms connect to mains power. By law, only a licensed electrician can perform electrical wiring work in Queensland.
• Circuit selection matters. Smoke alarms should be on a lighting circuit, not a power circuit — that way, if the alarm trips the circuit, you notice because the lights go out. If it is on a power circuit, you might not notice for days.
• Placement is specific. The Building Code and Australian Standard AS 3786 specify exact mounting locations. An incorrectly placed alarm might not activate until a fire is well advanced.
• Testing and certification. A licensed electrician will test every alarm, confirm interconnection, and provide documentation that your installation meets the legislation.

What It Costs

A wireless interconnected photoelectric system for a three-bedroom home, supplied and installed, typically costs between $600 and $1,200 depending on the number of alarms and the brand. Hardwired systems are more expensive due to the cabling work — typically $1,200 to $2,000 — but may be required in new builds and major renovations.

For a rental property, this is a deductible expense and a legal requirement. For your own home, it is the cheapest life insurance you will ever buy.

Core Services Electrical & Air supplies and installs compliant photoelectric smoke alarms across the Wide Bay — hardwired and wireless options, fully certified. If you own a rental property, do not wait until the 2027 deadline. Call for an inspection and quote.