QLD smoke alarm Archives - Page 3 of 3 - Photoelectric Smoke Alarms

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

Australians love the great outdoors, from Grey Nomads to the #vanlife movement. With more Aussies hitting the road, safety is key. You’ve planned your trip, packed the essentials, and loaded up your gear—but have you checked if your caravan or campervan is truly safe? Installing photoelectric smoke detectors is crucial for fire protection in small, enclosed spaces. These alarms quickly detect smouldering fires, giving you vital seconds to react. Whether you’re camping off-grid or staying at a caravan park, photoelectric smoke detectors provide peace of mind, ensuring you and your loved ones stay safe on the road.

Fire safety is crucial in a campervan as most usually have only one escape route in the event of a fire. As modern vans and motorhomes are made of lightweight and highly combustible materials you may have only a few seconds to escape a burning caravan. Fires can accelerate rapidly, therefore receiving a warning from photoelectric smoke detectors may mean the difference between life and death.

How Many Photoelectric Smoke Detectors Do I Need?

Where Do I Put Them?

It is recommended that you have working photoelectric smoke detectors inside the van where the bed is, and one also in the annex if you sleep there – the image below provides a handy visual guide. As per Australian Standard 3786:2014, the photoelectric smoke detectors should also have an integrated ‘hush’ button which allows it to be temporarily silenced, should the photoelectric smoke detectors be activated accidentally due to cooking smoke etc.

Where to install photoelectric smoke detectors in your caravan or campervan

Am I Required To Install Photoelectric Smoke Detectors

In My Campervan, Caravan Or Mobile Home?

You should be aware that there is different smoke alarm legislation in every Australian state. In NSW, Victoria and the Northern Territory, regardless of where your campervan is registered, it must be fitted with a smoke alarm by law. If you are visiting South Australia and you are on-site for 60 days or longer then a smoke alarm is required by law. In July 2024 it became law in QLD that all QLD registered campervans and motorhomes must have at least one Australians Standard compliant photoelectric smoke detector installed on the ceiling.

In all other states fire authorities strongly recommended you install photoelectric smoke detectors, however it is not mandated by legislation. Some states also offer penalties for non-compliance. i.e. in QLD this is an offence with a maximum penalty up to $774. In NSW this may include on the spot fines of $200, and up to $550 if the matter goes to court. Note the definition of ‘campervan’ is quite broad and also includes the following; caravans, on-site vans, park vans, annexes (with rigid sides), mobile homes, and any other type of transportable structure where people sleep.

Recent news has further highlighted the lack of mandated photoelectric smoke detectors in Australian caravans, and fatalities due to caravan fires unfortunately occur annually. Don’t allow yourself to become a statistic – the short video below contains some great caravan fire safety advice from NSW Fire and Rescue.

Photoelectric smoke detectors and caravan fire safety advice

Caravan Fire Safety Tips!

Keep Your Cylinders Outside The Caravan

Ensure that your cylinders in the caravan are safely maintained. Ensure that your gas cylinders are always placed outside the van and switched to the off position when not in use.

To avoid gas leaks and subsequent fire hazards, ensure that your empty cylinders are stored in an open space and locked with a strap or something similarly sturdy. Be sure to check all gas fittings and hose connections prior to each road trip as they may work free due to extended vibration when travelling.

Using Appliances

Ensure that you check the health of all your caravan appliances, particularly high-load equipment by having them certified periodically by an electrician. Do not overload power leads, and protect them from exposure to natural elements such as rain ingress.

Avoid Parking In Grassy Areas

When parking your caravan, avoid camp sites that have tall grass as these can easily catch fire. The same applies to parking spots with spinifex growth as the same is a fire hazard. Search instead for a cleared area.

Safe Cooking

Cooking while moving is prohibited as it is one of the major causes of fire. In addition, never leave the stove unattended when cooking inside the van. Setting up BBQ too close to the campervan itself might scatter embers or increase radiant heat levels, which could cause the awning fabric to catch fire. It is good practice to always maintain a minimum 5m distance from the caravan when cooking outside to prevent caravan fires and potential carbon monoxide poisoning.

Have Fire Extinguishers Handy

Second only to a smoke alarm, the next most important item to prevent fire from spreading is a dry chemical powder (DCP) fire extinguisher. Make sure your extinguisher is effective at all times by ensuring it remains fully charged and is within its use by shelf life. Fire extinguishers should be available at an accessible location, typically adjacent to the exit route of the van.

Fire Blankets

To contain a small campervan fire (i.e. on the stove top), a fire blanket may suffice. ZEN fire blankets are ideal as they are made of fire resistant material that can withstand temperatures up to 500 degrees celcius. Place the fire blanket next to your exit door. As most fire blankets have no date of expiry, they are considered durable by full-time caravanners. Do not wait until a fire occurs before opening the fire blanket for the first time – practice beforehand so you are familiar with it, and learn the correct technique to place it over a small fire without burning yourself in the process.

Caravan fire safety - mother and son - install photoelectric smoke detectors today

Install photoelectric smoke detectors in your campervan – protect loved ones

Complete this fire safety checklist before embarking on your next road trip adventure

Does your campervan / caravan have working photoelectric smoke detectors, fire extinguisher and a fire blanket located near the exit?
Do you have an escape plan pre-prepared in case of fire? Ensure escape routes remain unobstructed.
Check that LPG cylinders are secured correctly to the van and that all fittings and hoses are in good working order with no leaks.
Have all electrical appliances been test and tagged by a qualified electrician?
Ensure you turn off any pilot lights before towing or when the towing vehicle’s engine is running.
Download the free EmergencyPlus app to your mobile phone. The app is available from Google Play (android) or the App Store (Apple). The app uses GPS functionality built into smart phones to help a Triple Zero (000) caller provide critical location details required to mobilise emergency services.