The number and placement of smoke alarms in your home depend on your floor plan and the state or territory you live in. Across Australia, fire services strongly recommend interconnected photoelectric alarms in all key areas of the home — and ZEN Smoke Alarms makes achieving this simple, safe and compliant.

For Queensland homes, the requirements are clearly defined. ZEN Smoke Alarms can help you meet these standards in most existing dwellings where wireless 10-year battery alarms are permitted.

In QLD, smoke alarms must be installed:

• In every bedroom
• In hallways that connect bedrooms to the rest of the home
• Between bedrooms and other areas where no hallway exists
• On every level of the home

In the most likely path of escape, if there are no bedrooms on that level.

These rules apply to both homeowners and landlords.

This example floorplan from the Queensland Fire Department depicts required smoke alarm locations within a building - use this as a guide to determine your own requirements or try our free smoke alarm calculator.

Install alarms on the ceiling wherever possible. Avoid installing:

• Within 30 cm of a wall/ceiling corner
• Within 30 cm of light fittings
• Within 40 cm of air-conditioning vents or ceiling fan blades
• Too close to stair voids, sloped ceilings, or exposed beams without considering airflow

There are special requirements for stairways, sloping ceilings, and ceilings with exposed beams. Specific requirements are further explained in the QLD Building Fire Safety Regulation 2008.

No — you won’t need an electrician or tradie.

ZEN Smoke Alarms are completely wireless and powered by a long-life, sealed 10-year lithium battery, which means they are not hardwired to 240V mains power.

Because they are certified to Australian Standards (AS 3786:2014), our alarms can be legally and safely DIY installed in any home where wireless 10-year battery powered photoelectric alarms are permitted. Installation is simple: just attach the mounting plate to the ceiling with two screws, twist the alarm into place, and you’re protected.

ZEN Smoke Alarms are designed to give homeowners and landlords a fast, compliant, and cost-effective alternative to waiting for expensive trades.

Orders are dispatched from Queensland with same-day or next-business-day shipping (depending on order time).

Most deliveries arrive:

• Free standard delivery:                       2–5 business days
• Express delivery (optional):                1–2 business days

Smoke alarms in Queensland must meet the following requirements:

• Smoke alarms must be photoelectric.
• Alarms must be interconnected with every other smoke alarm in the dwelling so all activate together.
• The alarm must be hardwired OR contain a non-removable 10 year lithium battery, a combination of both may be allowed.
• Smoke alarms must not also contain an ionisation sensor.
• Comply with Australian Standard (AS) 3786:2014.
• Be less than 10 years old from the date of manufacture (printed on the rear of the alarm).

ZEN Smoke Alarms comply with all criteria above.

Great news! You don’t need a compliance certificate. When selling a property in Queensland, the seller isn’t legally required to provide a certificate showing that smoke alarms are installed and compliant. The only requirement is to simply tick 'yes' or 'no' in the relevant sections of the Contract of Sale and Form 24.

Before selling the property, the seller should ensure the smoke alarms installed are compliant in accordance with their legal obligations under the QLD Fire Services Act and the QLD Building Fire Safety Regulations 2008.

Please visit our helpful blog for more information; Are You Selling A Property In QLD? Here’s What You Need To Know About Smoke Alarm Compliance, Certificates, And The Contract Of Sale

Yes! ZEN Photoelectric Smoke Alarms can be wirelessly interconnected in any configuration you like—up to 30 units in total. This makes our larger bundle packs a smart and cost-effective choice for those managing multiple properties. You can also purchase extra alarms and remotes separately, giving you complete flexibility to expand your system whenever you need.

Yes — ZEN Smoke Alarms are fully certified to Australian Standard AS 3786:2014 and can be legally used in homes across every Australian state and territory, where wireless 10-year sealed battery alarms are permitted.

Across Australia, the National Construction Code (NCC) requires new builds and homes undergoing substantial renovations to use 240V hardwired smoke alarms.

For existing homes, however, most states allow compliant wireless 10-year battery alarms — making ZEN Smoke Alarms a safe, simple and cost-effective option for everyday households.

Below is a quick guide to when wireless, 10-year battery-powered alarms like ZEN are suitable in each state:

State-by-State Summary

New South Wales

Wireless 10-year battery alarms may be used in existing residential homes.
Source: https://www.fire.nsw.gov.au/fire-safety/home-fire-safety/smoke-alarms/smoke-alarms-what-is-the-law

Victoria

Homes built before 1 August 1997 may use wireless 10-year battery alarms.

Source: https://www.frv.vic.gov.au/smoke-alarms

Western Australia

Hardwired alarms are required in most cases.

Wireless 10-year battery alarms may be used when wiring cannot be installed
(e.g., no ceiling cavity or no suitable alternative).

Source: https://www.dfes.wa.gov.au/hazard-information/fire-in-the-home/smoke-alarms#smoke-alarms

South Australia

Homes built before 1 February 1995 may use wireless 10-year battery alarms.
Source: https://www.mfs.sa.gov.au/community-safety/safety-and-education/fact-sheets/smoke-alarm-legislation

Australian Capital Territory

Homes built before 1 November 1994 may use wireless 10-year battery alarms.
Source: https://esa.act.gov.au/be-emergency-ready/smoke-alarms

Northern Territory

Both hardwired and wireless 10-year battery alarms may be used.

Homes constructed after 7 January 1998 should already include hardwired alarms.

Source: https://nt.gov.au/emergency/community-safety/fire-safety-at-home/smoke-alarms

Tasmania

Homes built before 1 August 1997 may use wireless 10-year battery alarms.

Source: https://www.homefiresafety.tas.gov.au/fire-safety-equipment/smoke-alarms