Is your home smoke alarm compliant?
Existing Queensland homes, townhouses and units must have compliant interconnected photoelectric smoke alarms by 1 January 2027 — and rentals and homes being sold already need to comply. Use the calculator below to estimate how many alarms your home needs.
What a compliant smoke alarm system requires
A few older alarms in the hallway usually aren't enough. Compliance depends on the alarm type, age, power source, interconnection and placement.
Photoelectric alarms
Alarms must be photoelectric type and comply with Australian Standard AS 3786-2014.
Inside every bedroom
Each bedroom needs its own compliant alarm. Hallway-only setups from older homes usually fall short.
Connecting areas
Hallways connecting bedrooms to the rest of the home need an alarm too — one per storey as a minimum.
All interconnected
When one alarm detects smoke, every interconnected alarm in the home sounds together.
Where do alarms need to go?
- Inside every bedroom.
- In hallways connecting bedrooms with the rest of the home.
- If there is no hallway, between the bedrooms and the rest of that storey.
- On a storey without bedrooms, in the most likely path of travel to exit.
Installation clearances matter
Where practicable, alarms are installed on the ceiling. They should not be installed within:
- 300mm of a ceiling and wall corner
- 300mm of a light fitting
- 400mm of an air-conditioning vent
- 400mm of a ceiling-fan blade
Estimate how many alarms your home needs
Answer two quick questions for an instant estimate, then send it straight to us for a fixed-price quote.
Do all smoke alarms need to be hardwired?
No — the right solution depends on your existing system and the work being completed.
Existing battery alarms
Compliant photoelectric alarms with a non-removable 10-year battery can be suitable for existing homes.
Existing hardwired alarms
A hardwired alarm being replaced must be replaced with a compliant hardwired photoelectric alarm.
New homes & major renovations
Hardwired, interconnected photoelectric alarms are required for new builds and substantial renovations.
Common questions
Everything homeowners usually ask about smoke alarm compliance in Queensland.
Get compliant before the deadline
Book online or call for a free assessment and fixed-price quote. Servicing Brisbane North and Moreton Bay — licensed, insured, and certified on completion.