Smoke Alarms
At Alive Electrical, we understand the importance of smoke alarm safety in protecting lives and properties. Our comprehensive smoke alarm safety service provides homeowners and property owners with peace of mind, knowing that all smoke alarms are operating correctly and that their property is safe and compliant with regulations. With our expertise, you can rest assured that your loved ones, tenants, and investments are protected from the dangers of fire.
Smoke Alarms Save Lives - Why Annual Servicing is Critical
Every year in Australia, thousands of house fires occur, causing injury, death, and property damage. Smoke alarms play a critical role in protecting lives by alerting occupants of a potential fire, giving them time to evacuate safely.
However, a lack of proper installation, maintenance, and testing can render smoke alarms useless, putting lives at risk. That's why at Alive Electrical we prioritise annual servicing of smoke alarms.
It's a crucial step in ensuring the safety of homes and their occupants.
Legislation
Smoke alarm legislation is complex and varies by state. We stay on top of it so that our customers don't have to. When it comes to smoke alarm maintenance, property owners need to adhere to two types of regulations:
Federal requirements which apply Australia-wide, and individual requirements for their state. Landlords are generally responsible for installing smoke alarms and for ensuring that they are regularly maintained and replaced when faulty or expired. As the agent for those landlords, responsibilities to tenants to provide a safe living environment extend to ensuring that the smoke alarms in their managed properties are compliant.
Federal requirements are contained in two sets of regulations read together: The Building Code of Australia 2016 and Australian Standards AS 3786-2014.
Smoke alarms must be installed properly in required positions according to the Building Code, and Smoke alarms must comply in design and performance standards according to the Australian Standards. Each state individually adopts parts of the Building Code and Australian Standards. So, while the Building Code and Australian Standards set out a uniform standard, it is important to understand the different legislative requirements for smoke alarms in each state.
Australia Wide
Changes to Victorian legislation have become law on 29 March 2021. To help you understand the changes, we’ve compared the current and new legislation below.
Current legislation (from 29 March 2021)
Installation:
Rental provider is responsible for the installation of smoke alarms
Smoke alarms must be installed according to specifications outlined in the regulations* and manufacturer’s instructions
Maintenance:
Rental provider is responsible for ensuring smoke alarms are tested according to manufacturer’s instructions at least once every 12 months
Rental provider is responsible for replacing batteries as required
Rental provider must immediately arrange for smoke alarm repair / replacement as an urgent repair when notified by the renter
Interconnection:
Smoke alarms must be mains powered and interconnected¹ where the dwelling was constructed after 1 May 2014 and there is more than one alarm in the property
Information & Communication:
Rental provider must provide new renters with information (in writing) about how each smoke alarm works, how to test each smoke alarm on the premises, and about the renter’s obligations to not tamper with smoke alarms and to report non-working smoke alarms
Renter must give written notice to rental provider as soon as practicable if a smoke alarm is not in working order (then the rental provider must immediately arrange for repair)
*Specifications for smoke alarm installation (current and future)
¹ In Victoria, the Building Act 1993 (Vic) and the Building Regulations 2018 (Vic) enshrine the NCC via Volumes 1 and 2 of the Building Code of Australia (“BCA”). The BCA Volume 2 2014 applies to the construction of all residential buildings in Victoria and is administered and enforced by local councils. The Building Regulations 2018 (Vic), Part 9, Clause 145, states that interconnected smoke alarms need to be installed in accordance with the BCA 2014 (E2.2a and Part 3.7.5) key build date requirement, which is a reference to 1 May, 2014.
