What You Need To Know About Smoke Alarms in 2017

New legislation specifies the type, positioning, and interconnectedness of alarms, which are critical factors for an early warning and quick escape.To give your family the best chance of surviving a house fire, QFES recommends updating your smoke alarms to match the new legislation as soon as you can. In the meantime, make sure all your alarms are working and properly maintained.

Legislation from 1 January 2017

• Existing smoke alarms manufactured more than 10 years ago must be replaced with photoelectric smoke alarms which comply with Australian Standards (AS) 3786-2014. (Note: the date should be stamped on the back)
• 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 photoelectric smoke alarm.
• It is also recommended that:
• smoke alarms be either hardwired or
• powered by a non-removable 10-year battery; and
• ionisation smoke alarms be replaced with a photoelectric type as soon as possible.
• For the best protection smoke alarms should be installed on each storey:
• in every bedroom
• in hallways which connect bedrooms and the rest of the dwelling
• if there is no hallway, between the bedrooms and other parts of the storey; and
• if there are no bedrooms on a storey, at least one smoke alarm should be installed in the most likely path of travel to exit the dwelling.
• All smoke alarms should be interconnected.
• To get everyone out safely during a house fire, it is essential to also have a well-practised fire escape plan.

For the fact sheets and legislation details please visit the QFES website or contact Lesside today on 3394 4133 and we will make sure you meet all the maintenance and installation requirements for your smoke alarms.