When you’re asleep you lose your sense of smell. A smoke alarm is your electronic nose. It will alert you if there is smoke from a fire. A small fire can grow to involve an entire room in two to three minutes. A smoke alarm provides early warning and time to escape.
Smoke alarms are compulsory in every home.
Since 1 August 1997, Victorian law states that smoke alarms (complying with Australian standards AS 3786) must be installed in all homes, units, flats and townhouses. It is the legal responsibility of all owners and landlords to install working smoke alarms.
Residential homes constructed before 1st August 1997 need only 9 volt battery powered smoke alarms installed. Residential homes constructed after 1st August 1997 must have smoke alarms connected to 240 volt mains power. In addition a backup battery must be installed in the smoke alarm.
All fire services in Australia recommend photo-electric smoke alarms when installing or replacing existing smoke alarms. Smoke alarms need to be maintained in accordance with the manufacturers specifications.
Note: Cooking fires are common. High ceilings or the layout of your house may increase the time it takes for your smoke alarm to operate. Consider installing a photo-electric smoke alarm closer to the kitchen area.
Smoke alarms should be tested regularly
Remember all smoke alarms need to be replaced after 10 years. When replacing an existing nine volt battery smoke alarm consider installing a photoelectric smoke alarm with an inbuilt ten year lithium battery. This will eliminate the need to change the battery every year.
The MFB’s campaign at the end of daylight saving each year reminds people to:
“Change your clock; change your smoke alarm battery”
Compliant models can be found at most hardware stores, electrical retailers, department stores, supermarkets and fire protection companies.
If the Residential Tenancy Act 1997 (RTA) applies to residential premises, the landlord is not only responsible for the installation of a smoke alarm but also its ongoing maintenance as per section 68(1) of the RTA Landlord’s duty to maintain premises:
“A landlord must ensure that the rented premises including fixtures and fittings provided by the landlord at the rented premises are maintained in good repair.”
It is the tenant’s responsibility to:
Smoke alarm subsidy for people who are deaf or hard of hearing.
A specialised smoke alarm is available for people who are deaf or hard of hearing. Due to the cost of this type of smoke alarm, the Department of Human Services provides assistance via a subsidy.
For more information go to Vicdeaf Smoke Alarm Subsidy
For further general information please contact the Community Resilience Department on (03) 9665 4464 or firstname.lastname@example.org
The information contained in this document provides general guidance and information only and is current at the time of printing. Readers should not act or omit to act solely on the basis of anything contained herein. In relation to a particular matter, you should seek appropriate professional advice. 1300 Smoke Alarms and its agents expressly disclaim liability, whether in negligence or otherwise, for any act or omission resulting from reliance on this document or for any consequence of such act or omission
Information provided by Smoke Alarm Association Australia Ltd.