As of January 1st, 2020, new legislation has been enacted in Queensland regarding installing smoke alarms in all homes. All homes must now have a photoelectric smoke alarm in every bedroom and on every corner of the home, including the basement. The new law is designed to protect residents from the dangers of fires, especially in the early hours of the morning when people are asleep.
In this article, we will provide everything you need to understand about the new smoke alarms requirements in Queensland.
Photoelectric Smoke Alarms:
The purpose of photoelectric smoke alarms is to detect smoldering, like open flame fires that aren’t visible. These types of fires are called smoldering fires because they don’t produce visible flames but still produce dangerous levels of carbon monoxide gas and thick black smoke, which can be fatal if inhaled for long periods.
Smoke alarms on every level:
All homes must now have a photoelectric smoke alarm in every bedroom and on every side of the home, including the basement. This means that if you have an apartment or townhouse with no hallways or stairwells between levels, your fire safety plan should include installing smoke alarms on each corner for home security.
Smoke alarms in hallways:
As per the new law, each hallway must have a smoke alarm installed that is visible from all points in the hallway. In addition, the smoke detectors in Queensland must be placed at least 3 meters away from any door or window and no higher than 2 meters above the floor. This ensures they can detect any smoke or fire that may develop in your home.
Smoke alarms in common areas:
All homes must have a photoelectric smoke alarm in every living area that contains sleeping accommodations and at least one other room used by people during the day. The new law is designed to protect residents from the dangers of fires, especially in the early hours of the morning when people are asleep.
New Smoke Alarm Requirements:
The new law requires that all homes have at least one photoelectric smoke alarm installed in each bedroom and on every level of the home, including basements. This includes kitchenettes and verandas.
Conclusion:
If you reside in Queensland or plan on traveling to the region, check if your home complies with the new smoke alarms rules before arriving. If you’re staying with family or renting a property, ask the landlord or head of household if their smoke alarms are up to date and safe for use. Most people don’t realize how old their smoke alarms are until an incident forces them to look closer.
