Smoke detectors laws for your home State by State.

Your home smoke detectors are important to your home safety. Proper maintenance of these devices could be a life saver. 

To minimise false alarms avoid installing smoke alarms in kitchens and bathrooms. Where alarms are to be installed close to kitchens or bathrooms choose a photo-electric smoke alarm to minimise false alarms.

These tips will help to make sure your smoke alarms perform as intended - when you need them the most:
1. A short, low beep every 60 seconds indicates the battery power is low and the battery needs replacing. Change your smoke alarm batteries every 12 months on either April 1st (QLD, WA, NT) or at the end of daylight saving (NSW, ACT, VIC, TAS, SA), and use a long-lasting alkaline battery.
2. Smoke alarms should be tested monthly by pressing the test button with a broom handle.
3. Smoke alarms should be vacuumed regularly - at a minimum once a year - to clean the vents.
4. Mains powered smoke alarms also have back-up batteries - check with the manufacturer if your model has batteries that need to be replaced regularly, or whether it has a re-chargeable battery.
5. Fire Services recommend that you replace your smoke alarm (both battery powered and 240v hard-wired types) after ten years as it may start to fail after this period. A year of manufacture date is displayed on all smoke alarms.

You should install a smoke alarm in each sleeping area, hallway and living area. Smoke alarms installed in hallways should be located between the bedrooms and the rest of the house.
If you live in a house with more than one level, install a smoke alarm on the ceiling at the head of the stairway connecting the levels. On those levels where sleeping areas are located additional smoke alarms may be required between the sleeping areas and the path of exit. The best protection is provided when smoke alarms are interconnected.

Smoke Alarm Law in the Northern Territory:
In line with the Building Code of Australia, all new and renovated residential buildings, constructed after August 1997 must have working smoke alarms connected directly to the mains power supply with a battery back-up.
Smoke Alarm Law in the Tasmania:
Tasmanian building regulations require, since August 1997, that all new residential buildings and all other residential buildings that have renovations completed for which a building permit is required, have at least one smoke alarm installed, connected directly to the building's electrical supply. These smoke alarms must have a battery back-up.
Smoke Alarm Legislation in Western Australia:
Legislation passed for all residential properties to have mains powered smoke alarms installed from 1 October 2009. In dwellings where the construction of the building does not permit a space to conceal the wiring or where no mains power is available, smoke alarms with a 10 year battery life are permitted.
Under Building Regulations Amendment 2009 an electrical contractor must install mains powered smoke alarms before a property is sold or a new rental lease agreement has been signed. 
Rental properties have until 1 October 2011 to comply with the new regulations.
Smoke Alarm Law in the South Australia:
Smoke alarms are compulsory for all residential buildings. Houses built since 1 January 1995 must be equipped with hard-wired smoke alarms. All other houses must be equipped with at least 9v battery powered smoke alarms. When a house is sold the new owner has six months to install alarms which are hard wired or powered by 10 year life, non-replaceable, non-removable batteries.
Smoke Alarm Law in Queensland:
Since 1 July 2007, owners of homes and units have been required to install smoke alarms in all pre 1997 - homes. Since 1 July 1997, mains-wired smoke alarms have been required in all new or significantly renovated homes and units. 
For homes which already have ionisation alarms, the recommendation is that they be supplemented with additional, hard-wired, interconnected photo-electric alarms. When existing ionisation alarms reach the end of their serviceable life (approximately 10 years) they should be replaced with photo- electric alarms.
Smoke Alarm Law in Victoria:
All homes constructed after 1st August 1997 are required to have mains-powered smoke alarms installed. Smoke alarms should be supported by a home fire escape plan. 
Smoke Alarm Law in New South Wales:
Legislation requires all NSW residents must have at least one working smoke alarm installed on each level of their home. This includes owner occupied, rental properties, relocatable homes, caravans or any other residential building where people sleep. 
This has been the law since May 1, 2006 and can include hard-wired or battery powered smoke alarms.
The NSW Fire Brigade recommends where possible that photo-electric smoke alarms are installed in paths of travel between sleeping areas and exits to the open air or to common corridors.
Smoke Alarm Law in Australian Capital Territory:
All homes built since 1994 are required to have mains-powered smoke alarms installed.

Remember, it is the responsibility of the landlord to ensure smoke alarms are installed in rental properties and always follow manufacturer's instructions when installing smoke alarms.

February 2012