Yes - all Queensland dwellings, caravans and motorhomes must have compliant smoke alarms installed by 1 January 2027.  

• If you are selling, renting, or re-renting a dwelling: you must already have interconnected photoelectric smoke alarms installed.
• If you own a caravan or motorhome: from 1 July 2024, all newly registered or transferred Queensland caravans or motorhomes must have compliant interconnected smoke alarms.
• For all other dwellings, caravans, and motorhomes: you have until 1 January 2027 to ensure compliant interconnected smoke alarms are installed.

Smoke alarms must be installed on each storey:

• in each bedroom; and
• in hallways which connect bedrooms and the rest of the dwelling; or
• if there is no hallway, between the bedrooms and other parts of the storey; and
• if there are no bedrooms on a storey at least one smoke alarm must be installed in the most likely path of travel to exit the dwelling.

For caravans and motorhomes, a smoke alarm should be placed on the ceiling. A smoke alarm should also be placed in the annexe if you sleep there.

While the centre of the room is the preferred location for smoke alarms, this is not a requirement. On the ceiling and they must be 300mm from corners or lights and 400mm from anything that may blow air such as an air conditioner or the edge of the blade of a ceiling fan. There are special requirements for sloping ceilings and ceilings with exposed beams. 

Additional information is available in the Smoke Alarm Installation Fact Sheet. (PDF 548 KB)

Yes – an existing dwelling with battery operated smoke alarms may replace them when required with battery operated photoelectric type smoke alarms that meet the Australian Standard 3786–2014.

Battery operated smoke alarms must be 10-year non-removable battery smoke alarms.

However, all new constructions and major renovations require hardwired 240-volt smoke alarms, and an existing dwelling with 240-volt smoke alarms must replace them when required with 240-volt photoelectric type smoke alarms.

If the smoke alarms are older than 10-years or if they fail to operate when tested they must be replaced.

If they are replaced they must be replaced with AS3786-2014 compliant photoelectric smoke alarms and powered by what is currently there (i.e. if they are powered by 240-volt they must be replaced with 240-volt smoke alarms, otherwise they can be powered by 10 year non-removable batteries). 

Smoke alarms can be interconnected any way that allows all smoke alarms to sound when one is in alarm (i.e. when one activates they all sound). This can be done by physically wiring together by a licenced electrician or using wireless technology (or a combination of both). Wireless technology is available for both 240-volt and battery operated smoke alarms. Non-removable battery powered smoke alarms do not need to be installed by an electrician. 

240-volt smoke alarms connect to the electricity supply and must be connected by a licenced electrician.

Avoid unscrupulous traders, as they may try to take advantage of the updated requirements for smoke alarms. They might:

• try to sell you non-compliant smoke alarms
• say incorrect things about the law to get you to buy more expensive smoke alarms, or tell you the law says you have to have more smoke alarms installed than you really need.

It is illegal for a business or trader to sell you something that is false or misleading. You should also double-check any information passed on to you by your real estate agent or body corporate manager.

There are extra rules for door-to-door and telephone sales. Find out more about buying smoke alarms by visiting the Consumer rights, complaints and scams website.

The landlord is responsible for the installation of smoke alarms that comply with legislation.

Additional information on installation is available in the Smoke Alarm Installation Fact Sheet.

The lessor/landlord and tenant are both responsible. 

The lessor/landlord must test each smoke alarm in the dwelling in compliance with Fire Services Act 1990 - section 104RAA(3) within 30 days before the start of a tenancy in a domestic dwelling. 

During a tenancy in a domestic dwelling, the tenant must test each smoke alarm in the dwelling, in compliance with Fire and Emergency Services Act - section 104RAA(3), at least every 12 months. 

QFD interprets that a tenancy means a right to occupy residential premises given under a residential tenancy agreement to which the Residential Tenancies and Rooming Accommodation Act 2008 applies.

Therefore, when there is a renewal or extension of an existing tenancy, the obligation is on the lessor/landlord, because each renewal or extension creates a new right for the tenant to occupy the residential dwelling.

Test is defined in the Fire Services Act 1990 - 104RAA - it is defined as pressing the “test” button or as stated in the manufacturer’s instructions. 

Clean is also defined by the Fire Services Act 1990 - 104RG - and that is “in the way stated in the manufacturer’s instructions”, it provides the example of vacuuming the smoke alarm to clear it of any debris that may have the potential to cause nuisance activations or effect the performance of the smoke alarm. 

Ionisation smoke alarms may not operate in time to alert you early enough to escape a smouldering fire. Smouldering fires are the major cause of fatalities in house fires.

False activations of smoke alarms can occur for several reasons:

• Hardwired smoke alarms: these are connected to the household 240-volt supply. False activations may result from power supply fluctuations (e.g., "dirty power" in regional areas or from solar energy) or incorrect installation. Installing a filter on the switchboard can help stabilise power supply issues.
• Battery-operated smoke alarms: false activations may be caused by dirt, age, or a faulty device.
• Incorrect installation: hardwired smoke alarms must be installed according to the manufacturer's instructions. For example, they should not be connected to lighting circuits with dimmers, as this can trigger false alarms.

To reduce the instance of false activations, homeowners should discuss the installation of hardwired (240v) smoke alarms with a licensed electrician who can provide advice and solutions.

If you have any concerns about a business or traders smoke alarm service or suspect they have provided false and/or misleading information about smoke alarms, visit the consumer rights and complaints website to understand your rights. Complaints can also be reported to the Office of Fair Trading through the consumer rights and complaints website.

No, there is no legal requirement for any qualification or certification to test or clean a domestic smoke alarm.

Some real estate agents may outsource smoke alarm maintenance to another company with associated fees paid by the landlord.  The real estate may request a "certificate of compliance" from these companies as proof of service. This is not a legal requirement but may be part of the real estate agent's internal process. 

Yes. The regulatory authority of the domestic smoke alarm legislation in Queensland is the Queensland Fire Department (QFD), under the Fire Services Act 1990 and the Building Fire Safety Regulation 2008.

However, the domestic smoke alarm legislation was introduced to provide early occupant warning to all occupants of a dwelling in the event of a fire. This early warning combined with a practised fire escape plan ensures all occupants can safely exit.

The Department of Child Safety, Seniors and Disability Services provides support to eligible foster, kinship and provisionally approved carers to upgrade their home to the updated interconnected smoke alarm standard. For further information relating to this program please see their website. 

Deaf Connect (previously Deaf Services Queensland) operate the Deaf Connect Smoke Alarm Subsidy Scheme. This program assists eligible Queenslander with hearing impairment to access suitable technology compatible with smoke alarm legislation. Please contact Deaf Connect for further details. 

Email: smoke.alarms@deafconnect.org.au                                           
Phone: 07 3892 8500
TTY: 07 3892 8501

If you have a specific question or require further clarification, please email SmokeAlarms@fire.qld.gov.au. If you don’t have access to email please phone the Queensland Government helpline on 13 QGOV (13 74 68).