Most people don’t think about their smoke alarms until one starts chirping at 2am. They’re easy to forget because when they’re doing their job, you never hear from them. But they’re one of the simplest safety features in any home and NSW has clear rules about them.
Here’s a plain English rundown of what applies to homeowners, landlords and strata properties across Sydney, plus when it’s time to call in a licensed electrician.
What NSW law says about smoke alarms
Every level of your home needs one
In NSW, smoke alarms must be installed on every level of a home. That covers houses, apartments, townhouses, rental properties and any other residential building where people sleep. It applies even if a level has no bedrooms on it.
Where they need to go
Fire and Rescue NSW says alarms should be placed in hallways near bedrooms. If your bedrooms are in different parts of the house, you need alarms in each of those areas. If there’s no hallway, the alarm goes between the bedrooms and the rest of the home.
That sounds simple, but older homes in the Inner West and Eastern Suburbs often have extensions, converted attics or granny flats added over the years. It’s common to find a level or a sleeping area that was missed.
Rules for landlords and rental properties
If you own a rental property, the responsibility for working smoke alarms sits with you. It can’t be handed to the tenant in the lease. NSW Government guidance says landlords and agents need to:
- Make sure smoke alarms are in working order
- Check them every year
- Replace removable batteries every year, or for lithium batteries, when the manufacturer specifies
- Replace smoke alarms within 10 years of manufacture, or earlier if the manufacturer says so
- Repair or replace a faulty alarm within two business days of finding out about it
- Use a licensed electrician to repair or replace a hardwired smoke alarm
Property managers looking after several rentals across North Sydney or the CBD will know this adds up quickly. Keeping a simple record of install dates and annual checks for each property makes life a lot easier.
Smoke alarms in strata buildings
Strata is where it can get confusing. In some buildings the owners corporation is responsible for repairing and replacing the smoke alarms inside each lot. In others it’s up to the individual owner or landlord.
If you own a unit, check with your strata manager about who looks after the alarms in your apartment. If you’re a landlord, the NSW rules still expect you to make sure the alarms in your property are working, even when the owners corporation handles repairs.
For strata managers, it’s worth knowing which alarms in the building are hardwired and when they were installed. That makes planning replacements across a whole building much more straightforward.
Hardwired or battery: what’s the difference?
Battery smoke alarms
These run on a battery and can be mounted without any wiring. Some use a removable battery that needs changing every year. Others have a sealed lithium battery that lasts the life of the alarm.
Hardwired smoke alarms
Hardwired alarms are connected to your home’s electrical supply and usually have a backup battery. Many newer homes have them and they can often be interconnected, so when one goes off, they all go off. That’s handy in a two-storey home where you might not hear an alarm on the other floor.
Installing, replacing or repairing a hardwired smoke alarm is electrical work. It needs a licensed electrician. Please don’t pull a hardwired alarm off the ceiling or try to rewire it yourself.
How do you know when a smoke alarm needs replacing?
Most smoke alarms have a manufacture date printed on the back or side. If yours is around 10 years old, it’s time to replace it. If you can’t find a date at all, that’s usually a good sign it’s been there a while.
Other signs worth paying attention to:
- The alarm doesn’t sound when you press the test button
- It keeps chirping even after a new battery
- It goes off for no clear reason
- It’s yellowed, damaged or painted over
Keeping on top of your smoke alarms
A quick routine goes a long way. Press the test button on each alarm regularly so everyone in the house knows what it sounds like. Keep them clear of dust and cobwebs. Note the install date somewhere you’ll find it again.
If you have hardwired alarms and something isn’t right, give us a call. We’ll check them, tell you what’s needed and replace them if they’re due.
Need your smoke alarms checked?
We install, replace and check smoke alarms in homes, rentals and strata buildings across Sydney, including the Inner West, Eastern Suburbs, North Sydney, the CBD, South West Sydney and Western Sydney. Whether it’s one alarm in a unit or a full replacement across a building, we’ll talk you through what your property needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a smoke alarm on every level of my home in NSW?
Yes. NSW law requires smoke alarms on every level of a home where people sleep, even on levels without bedrooms.
How often should smoke alarms be replaced?
Generally within 10 years of the manufacture date, or earlier if the manufacturer says so. Check the date on the alarm. If you can’t find one, have it checked.
Can I replace a hardwired smoke alarm myself?
No. Hardwired smoke alarms are connected to your electrical supply, so installing, repairing or replacing them needs a licensed electrician.
Not sure if your smoke alarms are up to date? Give us a call on 0426 254 273 or request a quote and we’ll take a look.