Smoke Alarm Installation Gold Coast

• What does Queensland law require for smoke alarms?

  Queensland now requires interconnected photoelectric smoke alarms in every bedroom, in the hallways that link the bedrooms, and on every storey of the home. Interconnected means that when one alarm detects smoke, all of them sound at once, so you are warned no matter which end of the house a fire starts in.

  The full standard already applies to homes being sold or leased, and is being phased in for all homes. We install to meet the legislation, so you do not have to work out the detail yourself.

• What is the difference between hardwired and wireless alarms?

  Hardwired alarms run off your mains power with a battery backup and interconnect through wiring, which usually suits homes where we can access the ceiling or during a renovation. Wireless alarms use a sealed ten-year battery and talk to each other by radio, which is often the tidier option in an existing home where running new cable would mean cutting into ceilings.

  Both types can fully meet the Queensland law, and we will advise which makes the most sense for your home and budget.

• Do these rules apply if I am selling or renting?

  Yes, and this is where it catches a lot of owners out. The full requirement for interconnected photoelectric alarms applies when you sell a home, lease it, or renew an existing lease. Leaving it until the last minute can hold up a settlement or a new tenancy, so it is much better to get it sorted before you list or advertise.

  We can make sure everything is compliant and ready for inspection so it is one less thing to worry about.

• Why photoelectric and not ionisation?

  Photoelectric alarms detect the larger smoke particles given off by smouldering fires, which is how most fatal house fires start, often slowly and at night. They respond faster to that type of smoke than the older ionisation alarms, and they are also far less prone to nuisance alarms from cooking.

  For those reasons photoelectric is now the required type in Queensland, so that is what we fit throughout your home.

• How often should alarms be replaced?

  Smoke alarms do not last forever. They carry a use-by date, usually ten years from the date of manufacture, after which the sensor can no longer be relied on even if the alarm still beeps and tests. When we are on site we check the date stamped on every existing alarm and replace anything that is expired or faulty.

  It is an easy thing to overlook, because an old alarm gives no sign it has passed its life until the moment you actually need it.

Still have some questions? Contact Us