Are Smoke Alarms Required in South Australia? What to Know

In South Australia, the law mandates smoke alarm compliance—it is not an option. Peace of mind about their house’s security is one of the most important things a homeowner could have, and smoke alarm compliance provides that. Here are things you should know about smoke alarm laws in the state.

What Are Homeowners’ Responsibilities?

Each state has different requirements for smoke alarm maintenance. According to the official government website of South Australia, all homes in the state need to have working smoke alarms. What’s more, residential landlords and homeowners are responsible for ensuring that their properties have working smoke alarms. 

If they don’t, they could pay fines of up to $750. When you hire a residential electrical contractor to maintain your property’s electrical systems, you can rest easy knowing that your home is compliant with state and federal legislation.

What are the Risks to Non-Compliance?

Landlords must ensure that their rental properties have working smoke alarms, as stipulated in the Building Code of Australia and Australian Standards. They must also maintain these alarms and replace them when faulty or expired. When they don’t meet the state’s requirements, they could face various unpleasant consequences.

What Does AU Law Say About Smoke Alarms?

A homeowner or landlord needs to ensure that the property has the required number of smoke alarms. They must also comply with the Australian Standard (3786:2014), and their installation should comply with part 3.7.2. of the Building Code of Australia (BCA). This requirement is applicable throughout the country. 

Besides federal laws, there are state laws that stipulate smoke alarm requirements. In South Australia, the Development Act 1993, Residential Tenancies Act 2010, and the Electricity Act 1996 covers smoke alarm installations, existent alarms, and necessary electrical work. Inspections will evaluate the type of alarm, the quality of installation, build dates, renovations, building classes, and more.

Furthermore, the Development Act 1993 has additional requirements for multi-storey homes. It stipulates that each storey must have smoke alarms—hallways leading to bedrooms and spaces connecting living spaces must also have alarms. 

All residential and rental properties, including detached houses, sole occupancy units, guest houses, villa units, and hostels must comply with these requirements. Hiring a professional specialising in minor electrical repairs and installations should help landlords stay compliant with state and federal laws.

What Type of Smoke Alarm to Get

According to South Australian laws, the kind of smoke alarm your home needs depends on the age of your home. Here are three points that should be relevant to most landlords or homeowners in Adelaide and other cities in the state:

1. Homes or residential rentals built on or after 1 January 1995 must have a 240-volt, mains powered smoke alarm. 
2. Meanwhile, if you purchased the property before 1 February 1998, you must install a battery-powered, replaceable alarm.
3. Properties purchased on or after 1 February 1998 need to have 240-volt, mains-powered smoke alarms or ten-year life, non-replaceable, non-removable, permanent battery-powered ones.

Conclusion

All homeowners want a safe and secure environment for their family or their tenants. Maintaining a property’s electrical and fire safety systems requires knowledge of safety devices like smoke alarms and state and federal requirements for installations and maintenance. Hiring a specialist to monitor your smoke alarms and safety systems lets you rest easy knowing that you’re doing everything you can to keep your property and its residents safe.

EJM Electrical is your trusted partner in keeping your properties safe and secure. We are an Adelaide electrical company providing residential and general electrical services, including smoke alarm installation, circuit protection, rewiring, and much more. Get a quote today!