REMEMBER: only working smoke alarms save lives!
You are more likely to die in a house fire without a working smoke alarm, especially when sleeping. When you’re asleep, you lose your sense of smell.
A working smoke alarm provides you with early warning of a fire and gives you time to escape safely.
The law says:
Smoke alarms are required by law for all residential properties and must meet the standards set in the Building Code at the time of construction or when conducting major renovations or extensions to existing properties.
Minimum requirements:
- Install a smoke alarm in every hallway or corridor connected to bedrooms.
If there is no hallway or corridor, install a smoke alarm between the bedrooms and the rest of the home.
Multi-storey homes must have a smoke alarm on each level, even levels without bedrooms.
Additional requirements:
- Since 1 August 1997: Smoke alarms must be hard-wired to mains power.
- Since 1 May 2014: Smoke alarms must be hard-wired and interconnected (if more than one).
The Tasmania Fire Service recommends:
- Install smoke alarms in every room where someone sleeps. Also install them in hallways, living areas, the garage, and at the top of stairs
- Install photoelectric smoke alarms with a 10-year long-life lithium battery
- Have interconnected smoke alarms so that if any alarm activates, all smoke alarms will sound
- Check smoke alarms and replace batteries when daylight savings ends (in autumn)
- Consider carbon monoxide alarms for rooms that have gas appliances or wood heaters
- Install smoke alarms in all caravans, boats and other mobile property where people might sleep
- Replace smoke alarms every 10 years. Purchase an alarm that meets Australian Standards.
Where should you place smoke alarms in the home?
Smoke alarms required by law (minimum legal requirements)
Additional smoke alarms recommended by Tasmania Fire Service
Carbon monoxide alarms recommended by Tasmania Fire Service
Click to enlarge: A guide for smoke alarm placement in a single storey home
Click to enlarge: A guide for smoke alarm placement in a multi-storey home
Some smoke alarms may need to be installed by a qualified electrician. Always follow the manufacturer’s recommendations.
Installation is quick and easy: Install on a ceiling on each level of the house at least 30cm away from the wall or any other objects.
If you install an alarm with a replaceable battery, remember to change the battery every year. Replace all smoke alarms every 10 years.
Hot tips
- If you can’t reach your smoke alarm to test it, you can use an item like a broom handle to push the button.
- Smoke alarms can collect dust! Make sure you vacuum smoke alarms using a soft brush.
- If your smoke alarm emits a single, occasional beep, it may require cleaning, the battery may need changing, or the smoke alarm may be faulty and must be replaced.
- For older people or people with a disability smoke alarms should be connected to a personal alarm system.
- Young children are likely to sleep through the sound of a smoke alarm, so you must alert them to a fire and help them escape to safety.
- Interconnect smoke alarms so when one goes off they all go off alerting you and your family as quickly as possible if there is a fire.