Buildings should not go up in smoke

Smoke alarms are compulsory and must be installed in every residential building on or near the ceiling of every storey.

The Building Regulations state that smoke alarms must meet the Australian Standard AS 3786-1993.  You will find a range of complying models at most electrical appliance outlets or hardware stores.

Smoke alarms must be connected to your building's power mains as well as having a battery back-up, unless your building was built before 1 August 1997, where a battery-powered back-up meets the Regulations.

If you are renting a dwelling or unit, it is your landlord's responsibility to ensure smoke alarms are installed and kept in working condition. However, you can take action to ensure compliance with the Regulations at any time.

Smoke alarms are intended to detect smoke before it reaches people sleeping in a building. Therefore they must be located in a position designed to wake sleeping occupants up and in time to evacuate a building.

For smoke alarms to be effective, it is essential they be maintained. At the very least you should: 

• Check that your smoke alarm is working by depressing the button on its outside.
• Replace your smoke alarm battery on an annual basis (if the battery is lithium ion, every ten years).
• If your smoke alarm emits a warning sound, a high-pitched single beep every 30 seconds, replace its battery.
• Clean your alarm regularly to remove dust particles.
• Familiarise yourself with the manufacturer's maintenance guidelines.