Tag: QLD smoke alarm legidslation

When it comes to protecting your home and family, there’s one device that quietly stands guard 24/7: your smoke alarm. But did you know that not all smoke alarms are created equal? As Queensland races towards the 2027 smoke alarm law deadline, now is the perfect time to upgrade to the gold standard—photoelectric smoke alarms.

If you’re wondering why these alarms are the preferred choice for modern Queensland homes, you’re in the right place. In fact, brands like ZEN Smoke Alarms make upgrading easier than ever with completely wireless alarms powered by a non-removable 10-year battery. That means you can DIY install them in minutes—no electrician, no hassle, no extra costs.

Let’s explore why photoelectric smoke alarms should be at the top of your home safety checklist.

What Are Photoelectric Smoke Alarms?

At their core, photoelectric smoke alarms detect smoke using a light sensor and a beam of light inside the alarm chamber. Inside the alarm, there’s a light source and a sensor positioned at an angle. When smoke enters the chamber, it scatters the light, directing it towards the sensor and triggering the alarm. This method excels at detecting smouldering fires—the type most likely to fill your home with deadly smoke while you sleep.

Think of interconnected photoelectric smoke alarms as the early warning system your home needs. They detect danger before it becomes deadly, giving you and your family precious extra minutes to escape.

Why Photoelectric Smoke Alarms Are

The Preferred Choice in Queensland

1. Faster Detection of the Most Dangerous Fires

The most common cause of fire-related deaths isn’t flames—it’s smoke inhalation. Many house fires start as smouldering fires, often caused by:

  • Faulty wiring
  • Overheated appliances
  • Unattended candles
  • Cigarettes left burning

These fires can smoulder for hours, silently filling your home with lethal smoke. Photoelectric smoke alarms detect these fires much faster than old-style ionisation alarms, which are designed to respond to fast-flaming fires but often miss slow-burning ones until it’s too late.

Early detection = more time to escape = lives saved.

2. Fewer Annoying False Alarms

We’ve all experienced it: you’re cooking breakfast, the toast gets a little too crispy, and suddenly your smoke alarm is screaming like there’s a five-alarm blaze. Traditional ionisation alarms are notorious for these false alarms because they’re sensitive to even the smallest smoke particles.

Photoelectric smoke alarms are much smarter. They’re designed to detect real threats—like actual fires—while ignoring harmless cooking smoke or bathroom steam. This means:

  • Fewer false alarms
  • Less frustration
  • No more disabling alarms out of annoyance (which is extremely dangerous!)

3. Compliant with Queensland’s 2027 Smoke Alarm Laws

From January 1, 2027, Queensland’s new laws will require:

  • Photoelectric smoke alarms in every bedroom, hallway, and on every level of your home
  • Interconnected alarms, so if one goes off, they all do
  • Alarms powered by either mains electricity with battery backup or a sealed 10-year battery

If your home still has ionisation alarms—or worse, no smoke alarms—it’s time to upgrade. ZEN Smoke Alarms meet all these legal requirements, ensuring your home is not only safe but fully compliant.

4. No Electrician Needed—Save Time and Money

Here’s where ZEN Smoke Alarms really shine:

  • Completely wireless—no hardwiring required
  • Non-removable 10-year battery—no battery replacements needed
  • DIY-friendly installation—you can set them up in minutes

This means:

  • No expensive electrician bills
  • No drilling holes or running wires through your ceiling
  • Huge time and cost savings

Just mount, test, and you’re done. It’s that simple. Hardwired alarms must be used, though, for new house builds, substantial renovations, or when replacing an already hardwired smoke alarm.

5. Long-Lasting, Low-Maintenance Protection

Nobody enjoys waking up to the dreaded “low battery” chirp at 2 a.m. With ZEN’s sealed 10-year lithium battery, you won’t have to worry about that. These alarms are designed to last a full decade without any battery changes.

Less maintenance. More peace of mind.

6. Safer for You and the Environment

Unlike old ionisation alarms, which contain a small amount of radioactive material (yes, really), photoelectric smoke alarms are completely radiation-free. They’re safer for your family and easier to dispose of when they reach the end of their lifespan.

Why Choose ZEN Photoelectric Smoke Alarms?

At ZEN Smoke Alarms, we don’t just sell products—we’re passionate about saving lives. Here’s what sets us apart:

✅ Photoelectric technology for faster, more reliable fire detection

✅ Completely wireless design for easy DIY installation

✅ Non-removable 10-year battery—no maintenance required

✅ Certified to Australian Standard 3786:2014—fully compliant with QLD laws

✅ Bonus remote control for easy testing and silencing

✅ FREE fire blanket with every ZEN Smoke Alarm bundle pack purchase (5/7/10-pack)

✅ Australian-owned and operated with local support—no offshore call centres

How to Properly Install Your Smoke Alarms

For maximum protection, follow these installation guidelines:

  • Bedrooms: Install a smoke alarm inside every bedroom.
  • Hallways: Place alarms in hallways outside sleeping areas.
  • Multi-story dwelling: At least one smoke alarm on each level of the property
  • Ceiling Placement: Mount alarms on the ceiling, at least 30cm away from walls and light fixtures.
  • Interconnection: Ensure all alarms are interconnected for full-home coverage.

Common Myths About Smoke Alarms

Myth #1: “I Have a Smoke Alarm, So I’m Safe.”

Not necessarily! If your smoke alarm is outdated, ionisation-based, or not interconnected, your safety is compromised. Only photoelectric, interconnected alarms offer the best protection.

Myth #2: “Smoke Alarms Are Expensive and Hard to Install.”

ZEN Smoke Alarms are affordable, easy to install, and require no electrician. The cost of upgrading is nothing compared to the price of losing your home or a loved one.

Myth #3: “I Don’t Need to Worry Until 2027.”

Fires don’t wait for legislation. Every day without a proper smoke alarm increases your risk.

Don’t Wait Until 2027—Upgrade Your Home Now

Sure, the 2027 deadline might seem far away, but fires don’t wait for legislation. Every day without proper protection puts your family at unnecessary risk.

Order your ZEN Smoke Alarm bundle today and enjoy:

🔥 Easy, DIY installation—no electrician needed

🔥 Bonus remote control for effortless testing

🔥 FREE fire blanket to boost your home safety

When it comes to fire safety, don’t cut corners. Choose ZEN Smoke Alarms—because your family’s life is worth it.

ZEN photoelectric smoke alarms and FPAA - your symbol of trust

Want to know more? Watch our ZEN Smoke Alarm YouTube channel or call us on 0478 596 402 today

We love talking smoke alarms!

ZEN Photoelectric Smoke Alarms

New Farm, QLD, 4005

Queensland is undergoing a phased roll-out of new smoke alarm legislation, culminating in 2027. It is unsurprising then that there is misinformation regarding smoke alarm requirements – particularly surrounding the installation of wireless 10-year battery powered smoke alarms vs 240V hardwired smoke alarms.

Can I Install Wireless 10-year Battery Powered

Smoke Alarms In QLD?

YES! you can. It is legal and perfectly acceptable to install wireless 10-year battery powered smoke alarms in your Queensland home, provided you are not performing any of the 3 activities below;

  1. Constructing a new home
  2. Performing a substantial renovation
  3. Replacing an existing 240V hardwired smoke alarm

Prior to installing any type of photoelectric smoke alarm, it’s important to understand the differences between alarm types and when each is permissible according to current legislation. The information contained in this article is sourced directly from the QLD Government and the QLD Fire Department, providing the most up-to-date legal requirements for smoke alarm installations. We encourage you to review and read the legislation for yourself to ensure full compliance with safety regulations. Direct links to all official government sources are included at the bottom of this article for your convenience. Understanding these requirements is key to ensuring you have the correct smoke alarm type (wireless battery powered or hardwired) in place for your home’s safety and compliance needs.

Queensland’s Building Fire Safety (Domestic Smoke Alarms) Legislation Amendment Regulation 2016 prescribes the legal ways of powering smoke alarms for domestic dwellings. It states that both 240V hardwired smoke alarms and 10-year battery powered smoke alarms are allowed. See the excerpt below;

Queensland’s Fire Department website states that 10-year battery powered smoke alarms are acceptable, provided the three scenarios previously mentioned above are not being performed.

QLD Fire Department hardwired smoke alarm vs wireless battery powered smoke alarm requirements
QLD Fire Department hardwired smoke alarm vs wireless battery powered smoke alarm requirements

Advantages Of A 10-year Wireless Battery Fire Alarm

  • A wireless battery fire alarm powered by a 10-year non-removable battery offers the ultimate convenience and cost-effectiveness. These alarms can be easily DIY installed, eliminating the need for an electrician and saving you on installation costs.
  • The sealed battery inside the smoke alarm ensures it lasts for the entire 10-year lifespan, meaning you won’t have to deal with the hassle of replacing batteries or the annoying low battery chirp. After 10 years, the entire alarm unit is simply swapped out for a new one, providing long-term peace of mind. Smoke alarms with conventional 9V replaceable batteries will not be permitted in QLD by 2027.
  • In addition to these benefits, wireless fire alarms offer added versatility through wireless RF interconnection. This feature ensures that all alarms will sound simultaneously if one detects smoke, providing greater safety and quicker alerts. In some situations, it may be physically impossible to install 240V hardwired smoke alarms, such as in homes with solid concrete ceilings or no roof cavity. For these homes, a wireless smoke alarm is the ideal solution.

Do QLD Smoke Alarms Need To Be Hardwired By 2027?

NO, they don’t. Although there are a lot of houses built in Queensland that require hardwired smoke alarms, there are just as many that have the option to use wireless 10-year battery powered photoelectric smoke alarms and still be 100% compliant with the latest regulations. These alarms offer a convenient, cost-effective solution without the need for complicated wiring or professional installation.

When Must I Install a 240V Hardwired Smoke Alarm In QLD?

There are 3 situations in Queensland where it is a statutory requirement for 240V hardwired smoke alarms to be installed in a domestic dwelling (and 10-year battery powered smoke alarms may not be used). Outside of these 3 scenarios it is acceptable to install 10-year battery powered smoke alarms in your home.

1) If You Are Constructing A New Home

If you are constructing a new home in QLD then hardwired smoke alarms are required as part of the building approval process. Queensland’s Building Regulation 2021 states that when constructing a new home, the smoke alarms must be hardwired to the domestic dwelling’s electricity supply.

2) If You Are Performing A Substantial Renovation

The Queensland Fire Services Act 1990 states that hardwired smoke alarms must be installed when a substantial renovation is being performed to a domestic dwelling. A definition of a ‘substantial renovation’ is provided within the act.

3) If You Are Replacing An Existing Hardwired Smoke Alarm

The Queensland Fire Services Act 1990 also states that if a pre-existing smoke alarm being replaced was hardwired to the domestic dwelling’s electricity supply, then the replacement smoke alarm must be hardwired to the dwelling’s electricity supply.

Outside of the 3 scenarios described above, it is legal and perfectly acceptable in QLD to install wireless interconnected photoelectric smoke alarms which are

powered by a non-removeable 10-year battery.

Want to do some further reading? Links to all official sources in this article are provided below.

You may also want to check out our other blog post ‘What do the QLD smoke alarm laws actually state?‘

QLD Building Fire Safety (Domestic Smoke Alarms) Legislation Amendment Regulation 2016

States that both 240V hardwired smoke alarms and 10-year battery powered smoke alarms are allowed in domestic QLD dwellings.

QLD Building Regulation 2021

States that when constructing a new home in QLD, the smoke alarms must be hardwired to the domestic dwelling’s electricity supply.

QLD Fire and Services Act 1990 (formerly known as the QLD Fire and Emergency Services Act 1990)

States hardwired smoke alarms must be installed when performing a substantial renovation or replacing an existing hardwired smoke alarm.

QLD Fire Department website – 2027 Smoke Alarm Legislation Fact Sheet

States that interconnected smoke alarms must be either hardwired or powered by a non-removable 10 year battery, or a combination of both may be allowed.

States that existing hardwired smoke alarms that need replacement must be replaced with a hardwired smoke alarm.

Want to know more? Watch our ZEN Smoke Alarm YouTube channel or call us on 0478 596 402 today

We love talking smoke alarms!

ZEN Photoelectric Smoke Alarms

New Farm, QLD, 4005

QLD smoke alarm laws are the most stringent in the nation. These laws have been amended and updated over time due to several tragic fires which have resulted in significant loss of life.

QLD Smoke Alarm Legislation

The two main pieces of legislation in Queensland are the;

  • Fire Services Act 1990 (previously known as the Fire and Emergency Services Act 1990)
  • Building Fire Safety Regulation 2008

The objectives of the legislation are to ensure that all fire safety installations (including interconnected photoelectric smoke alarms) within a building are maintained, and to ensure that people can safely evacuate from a building in the event of a fire.

QLD smoke alarm laws - Building Fire Safety Regulation 2008
QLD smoke alarm laws – Building Fire Safety Regulation 2008

Building Fire Safety Regulation 2008 – QLD Smoke Alarms

Part 5A of the QLD Building Fire Safety Regulation 2008 deals specifically with photoelectric smoke alarm requirements for domestic dwellings. It states that smoke alarms must;

  • Comply with the Australian Standard (AS 3786:2014).
  • Contain a photoelectric sensor, and not also contain an ionization sensor.
  • Be either hardwired into the building’s main power supply or powered by a non-removable minimum 10-year lifespan battery.

Where Should QLD Smoke Alarms Be Installed?

Part 5A also states exactly where photoelectric smoke alarms must be installed inside a domestic dwelling (prescribed locations). It says that photoelectric smoke alarms must be installed in;

  • each bedroom.
  • the hallway which connects each bedroom.
  • if there is no hallway connecting each bedroom, then a part of the storey that is between the
    bedroom and the rest of the dwelling.
  • for each storey with no bedrooms—on the most likely travel path of exit from the dwelling.

Where Shouldn’t QLD Smoke Alarms Be Installed?

Part 5A (3) also provides exact distances and measurements where photoelectric smoke alarms should / should not be installed. It states that photoelectric smoke alarms must not be installed;

  • within 300mm of a light fitting.
  • within 300mm of a corner of the ceiling and a wall.
  • within 400mm of an opening from which air is supplied from an air conditioner or forced air vent.
  • within 400mm of the blades of a ceiling fan.
QLD smoke alarm laws - Fire Services Act 1990
QLD smoke alarm laws – Fire Services Act 1990

Fire Services Act 1990 – QLD Smoke Alarms

In addition to the above, Division 5A of the QLD Fire Services Act 1990 (previously named the Fire and Emergency Services Act 1990) stipulates that from 1st January 2022 all rental properties and properties being sold in Queensland must have photoelectric smoke alarms which;

  • Are less than 10 years old.
  • Operate when tested.
  • Be interconnected with every other smoke alarm in the building so that all activate together.

If the smoke alarm being replaced was hardwired to the domestic dwelling’s electricity supply, the new replacement smoke alarm must also be hardwired to the dwelling’s electricity supply and be a photoelectric smoke alarm. Any newly constructed homes or substantial renovations must have interconnected photoelectric smoke alarms which are hardwired to the mains power supply. A definition of a ‘substantial renovation’ is provided within the Act.

Furthermore, these interconnected photoelectric smoke alarm requirements will become mandatory for ALL dwellings in Queensland by 1st January 2027.

When it comes to QLD smoke alarms - what is the law?

Photoelectric Smoke Alarms In QLD Rental Properties

With respect to QLD rental properties, in addition to all the above points, the Act also states that;

  • The lessor must test each smoke alarm within 30 days before the start of a tenancy in a domestic dwelling.
  • The tenant must test each smoke alarm in the dwelling at least once every 12 months.
  • If the tenant is aware a smoke alarm in the dwelling has failed, the tenant must advise the lessor as soon as practicable.
  • The tenant must clean each smoke alarm at least once every 12 months.

Direct links to the QLD government website are posted below if you would like to read the full legislative documents for yourself.

QLD Building Fire Safety Regulations 2008 (current as at 01 July 2024)
QLD Fire Services Act 1990 (current as at 01 July 2024)

Want to know more? Watch our ZEN Smoke Alarm YouTube channel or call us on 0478 596 402 today

We love talking smoke alarms!

ZEN Photoelectric Smoke Alarms

New Farm, QLD, 4005