Smoke alarm compliance
As a landlord, you have obligations in regards to smoke alarm compliant at your rental property. This document includes important information to help you decide your approach to smoke alarm compliance.
Compliance management options
From 1 January 2022, under the Fire and Emergency Services Act 1990 (QLD) section 104RBA, before a new tenancy begins, an existing tenancy renews or the property is sold, smoke alarms must be photoelectric, interconnected and installed on each storey and in all bedrooms and hallways, powered by mains power or a non-removable 10-year lithium battery and compliant with AS3786:2014 standard.
1Engage a specialist
Detector Inspector works with your agent to ensure all of your smoke alarm obligations have been met and issues raised by tenants are taken care of.
Fixed fee service
No nasty surprises in your bill. Price includes replacement of faulty alarms where under manufacturer’s warranty and callouts for beeping alarms.
Detailed Service reports
Have full visibility of every step of the service process and be legally protected in case of an audit.
Product warranty replacement of non-DI alarms
Product warranty replacement of major branded interconnected alarms with no call-out fees and no charge for replacement alarms.
Urgent Jobs Framework
The emergency support team is available 7 days a week until 10pm to assist. The Urgent Jobs Framework ensures your tenants are protected.
2
Self-managed compliance
For landlords who don’t wish to invest $129 for a specialist, self-managed compliance may be an option, though it does come with some risks.
Cost
Time, within 30 days before a lease renewal or about to commence a new tenancy, the landlord must test and clean each smoke alarm in the dwelling and replace flat or nearly flat batteries
Liability
The obligation to ensure mandatory smoke alarm checks are carried out in-between tenancies appropriately and the reports compiled and made available to the agency falls on you.
Replacements
Under the Fire and Emergency Services Act 1990 (QLD) section 104RC, if a smoke alarm in a dwelling does not operate when tested, the landlord must immediately replace the smoke alarm.
Risk
Max fines of 5 penalty units ($667.25), potential dismissal of insurance claims for damage, personal injury or loss of life
Hardware
To complete a smoke alarm check effectively, landlords should acquire specialist tools such as smoke in a can, decibel reader and compressed air.
Faults
When replacing a faulty interconnected alarm, the landlord must use the same brand of alarm that matches the other units to prevent voiding the warranty and interconnection problems.
Engage a specialistDetector Inspector advantage
Detector Inspector’s smoke alarm safety service provides peace of mind that all smoke alarms at a property are operating correctly and the property is safe and compliant.
Your benefits:
• Access to Australia’s largest team of residential safety & compliance specialists
• 129 incl.GST smoke alarm subscription consisting of replacement of faulty smoke alarms where under manufacturer’s warranty & batteries and free callouts for fault rectification and more
• Urgent Jobs Framework for emergencies
• Product warranty replacement of non-Detector Inspector alarms with no call-out fees and no charge for replacement alarms
• After-hours tenant support for beeping or sounding alarms, our dedicated tenant support line is available 7 days per week, until 10PM
• Digitally recorded, time/date and geo-located photos of each smoke alarm to provide enduring peace of mind
• A Service Report that details the property’s compliance with all applicable smoke alarm legislation
Did you know?
Dirt and insects are very common reasons for smoke detectors going off inappropriately. Physical obstructions can interact with the sensor and cause your smoke alarm to activate. Click here to find out other reasons that could set off an alarm and tips for prevention.
Hassle-free smoke alarm warranty replacement
We are completing product warranty replacement of non-Detector Inspector smoke alarms for properties that are enrolled in our smoke alarm safety service with no call-out fees and no charge for replacement alarms.
Provided the faulty alarm is in the manufacturer’s product warranty period and the owner’s subscription is current, our technicians will replace any faulty/expired alarms on the spot.
If the manufacturer’s warranty period has expired, we will provide a quotation for the replacement of expired smoke alarms or alarms that become faulty.
We currently offer product warranty replacement for the following major brands with more to come.
Click here to learn more about how it works.
Recommended tools for testing and maintaining smoke alarms
The challenge of managing smoke alarm compliance is much greater than just pushing the test button. Here is a list of key items our qualified smoke alarm technicians carry when they visit a property to perform a smoke alarm safety check.
Smoke in a can
To test the function of the optical sensor in the alarm.
Decibel reader
To measure the sound output of the alarm (no less than 85 decibels (dBA).
Ladder
To access the smoke alarms to perform the required safety checks.
Replacement batteries
To replace 9v batteries in all batterypowered smoke alarms.
Replacement alarms
To replace faulty or expired smoke alarms.
Handheld vacuum
To remove any insects or obstructions from the optical chamber.
Smoke alarm safety
• A safety check on each alarm, including button and decibel tests and positioning compliance check
• Installation or replacement of faulty or expired smoke alarms required for compliance (with exclusions)
• Free replacement of smoke alarm batteries
Learn more
Corded blind add-on service
• A safety check on all blinds, window coverings and fittings to ensure they are correctly secured and labelled
• Free replacement or installation of missing or damaged cleats, cord guides, warning labels and swing tags (with exclusions)
• Cord shortening service for beaded metal chains
Learn more
Water efficiency add-on service
• Water efficiency flow test of shower heads, cold water taps and single mixer taps for kitchen sinks and bathroom basins
• Identification of required works to meet the regulated requirements or otherwise, issue of a Certificate of Water Efficiency
Learn more
Safety switch testing add-on service
• Free testing of the RCD safety switch
• Where a safety switch fails, video evidence will be provided
• The faulty unit will be replaced for $218.90 incl. GST including the electrician’s callout fee
Learn more
Our services
Our services have been meticulously designed to meet the requirements of the Fire and Emergency Services Act 1990 (QLD). The range of services to ensure compliance of residential properties covers smoke alarms and corded blinds safety checks, water efficiency checks and RCD safety switch testing.
Wth these services you can enjoy:
• Fixed annual fee without any hidden costs
• No callout fees for smoke alarm faults or corded blind issues between services
• Product warranty replacement of non-Detector Inspector smoke alarms with no call-out fees and no charge for replacement alarms
• Free replacement parts such as smoke alarm batteries
• A Service Report with time/date and geo-located photos of each alarm & corded blind after each inspection
Did you know?
Tragically, one to two children die each year due to non-compliant corded blinds. Due to the potential strangulation hazard, landlords are required to ensure that all corded window coverings are properly fitted and maintained in accordance with the Competition and Consumer (Corded Internal Window Coverings) Safety Standard 2014. Learn more about landlord obligations here.
