What you Should Know about Smoke Alarms

Have you tested your smoke alarms lately?

House fires can be catastropic. They cause millions of dollars of damage each year and sometimes the tragic loss of life.

Fires can be prevented with working smoke alarms. Smoke alarms are life and property saving devices.

In fact they’re mandatory. The recommendation is to test smoke alarms every month and replace them every ten years. BTE Electrical recommend a mains powered photoelectric smoke alarm – they’re good at picking up slow-burning fires quickly.

So what are the rules around smoke alarms in NSW?

Homeowners

• By law, all residential properties must have working smoke alarms complying with Australian Standards AS 3786.
• NSW legislation stipulates that smoke alarms must be installed on every level of your home.
• This includes owner occupied homes, rental properties, relocatable homes, caravans and camper-vans or any other residential building where people sleep.
• If you rent out premises as holiday accommodation you are responsible for installing anf maintaining smoke alarms.

Tenants

• Tenants are recommended to test each smoke alarm every month.
• After the tenancy begins, the tenant is responsible for replacing batteries in battery-operated smoke alarms
• If a tenant is physically unable to change the battery, they must notify the landlord as soon as practicable.

Here is a link to check out your tenancy rights under the NSW legislation.

Landlords / Property Owners

• Landlords are responsible for the installation of at least one working smoke alarm on every level of rented premises
• Must service smoke alarms annually including replacing batteries.
• Landlords have right of access to rented premises to fit and service smoke alarms after giving at least two days’ notice.
• The condition report section of the tenancy agreement must include a specific reference to smoke alarms.

Maintenance

Like all appliances, smoke alarms require occasional maintenance. Brett Taylor, your local Dubbo electrical expert recommends to clean alarms regularly by removing dust with a vacuum cleaner to avoid false alarms from dust build-up. BT Electrical & Solar can install or replace smoke alarms and undertake all servicing.

Testing Smoke Alarms

Smoke alarms should to be tested monthly to make sure they are in working order. This is super important to keep your home safe from fires. Here’s a quick guide on how to do it:

1. Give a heads-up: Let everyone know you’re testing the alarms so they don’t panic.
2. Check the power: If you have a mains powered alarm, look for a green light to show it’s working.
3. Press the button: Use a chair, ladder, or even a broom handle to press the test button. No beep? Time to change batteries or call an electrician.
4. Use some smoke: Light up a couple of matches under the alarm. If it doesn’t beep, you might need a new one.
5. Keep track of dates: Smoke alarms don’t last forever; replace them every 10 years.

Don’t delay – test and maintain your smoke alarms today. It could save your life.

If you need help or advice, contact Brett & the team at BT Electrical and Solar on 02 6837 1101. Stay safe everyone!