Queensland’s smoke alarm legislation affects every home in the state. How it affects your home — and when — depends on your specific living situation, and with the final deadline of 1 January 2027 now approaching, it’s worth checking where you stand.
The legislation, introduced by the QLD government on 1 January 2017, requires every residence to be fitted with interconnected photoelectric smoke alarms. The updates to the legislation endeavour to ensure that each person at home is instantly alerted to a fire, regardless of where they are in the house.
The benefit of an interconnected smoke alarm system — either hardwired or powered by a 10-year lithium battery — is that when one smoke alarm senses smoke, every alarm in the home sounds.
If you’re struggling to remove a rogue piece of bread from the toaster at 6 am* and trying not to wake the family, this is probably a worrying thought, but in every other potential fire situation an interconnected system could save lives.
How does it affect your home?
Upgrading your home’s smoke alarms to an interconnected hardwired system must be carried out by a licensed electrician. Hardwiring to the main electrical supply in your home means you don’t need to remember to replace batteries every year and the system is always on. To ensure you are still protected during a power outage, each alarm is fitted with a backup battery.
Deadlines for upgrades
- Homes built or significantly renovated and completed after 1 January 2017 must be compliant on completion.
- Homes sold or leased have needed to be compliant since 2022.
- All owner-occupied private homes must be upgraded by 1 January 2027.
- Every smoke alarm replaced since 1 January 2017 must be a photoelectric alarm.
*Photoelectric-type smoke alarms were recommended for this legislation due to reduced false alarms, fast reaction times, and being less prone to triggering with everyday cooking smoke and steam. So in reality you probably won’t need to worry about the toast setting it off — but keep an eye on it anyway.
Upgrading your Sunshine Coast or Brisbane home
Want to get ahead of the 2027 deadline and book in your home’s smoke alarm upgrade now? Contact our licensed electricians on 0401 787 183 or request a booking online today.
