Smoke alarm questions and answers

On 1 May 2006, the NSW Government introduced legislation to ensure all homes have at least one working smoke alarm per floor. As smoke alarms can be affected by dust, insects, humidity and age, they need to be replaced at least every 10 years. Importantly, technology has also evolved and improved over this time.

Fire and Rescue NSW is encouraging NSW residents to ReAlarm their homes by replacing old, outdated smoke alarms with new interconnected alarms in every bedroom, living space (including hallways and stairways) and even the garage in their home.

When and why was the smoke alarm legislation introduced?

On 1 May 2006, the NSW Government introduced new legislation following a series of fatal house fires.

This legislation mandated that all residential dwellings in NSW must have at least one working smoke alarm installed on each level of the home. This includes; owner-occupied and rental properties, relocatable homes, caravans and campervans or any other residential building where people sleep. Smoke alarms must comply with Australian Standard 3786 (AS3786), which should be clearly marked on the packaging.

How do people know how old it is?

To assist in identifying the age of smoke alarms, the AS3786 standard requires a serial number or batch number to be placed on the device. For example, 2406 may mean that the product was manufactured in the 24th week of 2006. Some manufacturers place the date of manufacture on the smoke alarm and some now place the expiry date on the smoke alarm. The batch numbers or dates are usually on the base of the smoke alarm near the battery compartment.

Where should smoke alarms be positioned?

There are minimum requirements needed to meet the Building Legislation Amendment (Smoke Alarms) Act 2005; however, Fire and Rescue NSW recommends a higher level of protection with the installation of interconnected alarms in every bedroom, living space (including hallways and stairways) and even the garage in your home.

Under the Act, different types of premises require smoke alarms to be installed in various locations. For residential dwellings, a smoke alarm must be installed on each level of the home. The alarm should be installed between the kitchen and sleeping areas, close enough to be heard from the bedrooms.

A common mistake is that smoke alarms are installed too close to the kitchen or bathroom. Fire and Rescue NSW recommends installing interconnected alarms in every bedroom, living space (including hallways and stairways) and even the garage.

How should residents maintain their smoke alarms (testing / batteries etc)?

Fire and Rescue NSW recommends the following maintenance:

Every month: Smoke alarms should be tested (by pressing the test button) to ensure the battery and the alarm work.

Every six months: Smoke alarms should be cleaned with a vacuum cleaner. This will remove any dust or particles that could prevent the smoke alarm from working properly.

Once a year: If your smoke alarm has a battery, you should replace it annually. A good way to remember is to change it when you change your clocks at the end of Daylight Saving. If your smoke alarm uses a lithium battery, it is inbuilt into the alarm and cannot be replaced. The entire unit needs to be replaced every 10 years.

Every 10 years: Replace your smoke alarm. Smoke alarms do not last forever and the sensitivity in all smoke alarms will reduce over time. All types of smoke alarms should be removed, replaced and disposed of at least every 10 years.

Why do people need to replace their alarms?

According to Fire and Rescue NSW data, 56% of fatal home fires between 2000 and 2014 occurred in homes where no smoke alarms were present. A working smoke alarm provides a critical early warning, giving you and your family time to escape. It can take as little as three minutes for a fire to take hold and takes only two quick breaths of thick, black smoke to render someone unconscious.

It’s also important to recognise that technology has evolved and improved over the past 10 years, with new smoke alarms having multiple sensor technologies in the one device.

What if I’m hard of hearing or I can’t change my smoke alarm myself?

There are a number of different types of smoke alarms available: photoelectric, ionisation, multi-criteria and dual-sensor. Carbon monoxide alarms are not smoke alarms and do not satisfy the legislation and may only be used in addition to smoke alarms for increased warning.

There are specialised smoke alarms available for people who are deaf or hard of hearing with a strobe light and a vibrating pad that can be placed under the pillow. These activate when the smoke alarm sounds and some can be interconnected with conventional audible alarms in different locations within the home. If one of the alarms senses smoke, all alarms will sound, the strobe will flash and the vibrating pad will vibrate. These smoke alarms are also suitable for people in the home without hearing issues.

Australian Standard (AS) AS1603.17-2011 Automatic fire detection and alarm systems – Warning equipment for people with hearing impairment applies to smoke alarms for people who are deaf or hard of hearing, however, the standard is not currently mandatory. If the AS3786 appears on a smoke alarm for hard of hearing people, it refers only to the smoke alarm sensing unit and does not include the strobe light or the vibrating pad.

Fire and Rescue NSW can also assist the elderly or those physically unable to change a smoke detector battery. Learn about Home Safety Visits here.

Accessing a smoke alarm for deaf or hard of hearing

People living with a disability (under 65 years, or under 50 for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) may be eligible for government funding to help pay for a specialised smoke alarm. To find out more about the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), visit the website here: www.ndis.gov.au [external link]

For the elderly (65 and over or 50 and over for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) may be eligible for funding to through My Aged Care. Phone 1800 200 422 or visit www.myagedcare.gov.au [external link].

If any member of the public doesn't qualify for either of the above programs, please have them contact FRNSW for assistance via Community Safety Coordinator, Ageing & Disabilities for more information via email: ceu@fire.nsw.gov.au

How often do I need to change my smoke alarm?

Each smoke alarm unit should be replaced at least once every 10 years.

How do I dispose of old smoke alarms?

You can drop off old smoke alarms for free at a Household Chemical CleanOut [external link] event or a Community Recycling Centre [external link].

Household Chemical CleanOut events are drive-through events held on different weekends throughout the year. Community Recycling Centres are permanent drop-off centres and are open year-round. Both services are run by the NSW Environment Protection Authority [external link] (NSW EPA) and your local council.

Some Councils may also have drop-off facilities at their local library. Ask your Council if this is available in your area.

When you drop off an old smoke alarm, the NSW EPA will make sure that is it disposed of in the safest and most environmentally friendly way.

Find your nearest drop off location using the postcode search tool at www.cleanout.com.au [external link]