QLD Smoke Alarm Requirements
Queensland smoke alarm deadline
Every Queensland home must comply by 1 January 2027
All existing private homes, townhouses, units and manufactured homes must have compliant interconnected photoelectric smoke alarms.
What makes a smoke alarm compliant?
Required alarms must meet all of the following conditions.
Photoelectric
Comply with Australian Standard AS 3786-2014 and not contain an ionisation sensor.
Interconnected
When one required alarm activates, every interconnected alarm in the dwelling must also sound.
Within service life
Be less than 10 years old, operate correctly when tested and be replaced when expired or faulty.
Correctly powered
Be hardwired where required or powered by a non-removable 10-year battery.
Where must alarms be installed?
- Inside every bedroom.
- In hallways connecting bedrooms to the rest of the home.
- If there is no hallway, in the room connecting the bedrooms to the rest of the home.
- On every storey, including in the path of travel to an exit where a storey has no bedrooms.
- On the ceiling where practicable and positioned away from areas that may prevent smoke reaching the alarm.
Queensland implementation timeline
1 January 2017
Requirements commenced for new dwellings and substantial renovations.
1 January 2022
Rental properties and homes being sold or transferred were required to comply.
1 January 2027
All remaining existing private homes, townhouses, units and manufactured homes must comply.
Plan ahead for the 2027 deadline
Do not leave your upgrade until the final weeks. Check the manufacture dates, power sources, locations and interconnection of every alarm in your home.
This information is general guidance only. Refer to the Queensland Fire Department for current official requirements.