From 1 January 2022, all Queensland rental properties will have to comply to the new smoke alarm legislation.
Although the majority of properties’ smoke alarms have yet to
be upgraded to the legislation, there are many that are prepared and have
completed the necessary work. However, these preparations can be ruined by a
few simple home renovations.
Our partner, Smoke Alarm Solutions has uncovered a new issue
where a property’s 2022 compliance becomes compromised because new electrical
household fixtures have been installed after the brand new smoke alarms have
been installed. By changing the below household fixtures, you could be
affecting a property’s smoke alarm compliance.
Light Fittings
Lights
can cause electromagnetic interference with a smoke alarm which then may cause
false alarms. This can be a huge annoyance to tenants, especially when alarms
are interconnected, and they may be tempted to remove the smoke alarm. Because
of this interference, legislation mandates that smoke alarms must not be within
300mm of a light fitting.
Swapping
incandescent lights for LED or Fluorescent lights is becoming more common as
these lights run cooler and are more efficient. However, these lights often
require larger fittings which can move a light closer to a smoke alarm and
within the exclusion zone.
Ceiling Fans
Ceiling
fans are known to interfere with smoke alarm sensors. When too close to an
alarm the airflow from the fan can prevent smoke from reaching the sensor.
Therefore, legislation states that smoke alarms must not be placed within 400mm
of the blades of a ceiling fan.
Many
landlords installed ceiling fans over the summer into the bedrooms of their
homes to help beat the Queensland heat. This has caused a wave of compliance
issues since 2022 smoke alarms are in every bedroom of the home – alongside
these new ceiling fans.
Air Conditioners
Similar
to ceiling fans, air conditioning units create an airflow that interferes with
a smoke alarm sensor. Legislation states that smoke alarms must not be placed
within 400mm of an air conditioning vent.
Over
the summer, many air conditioning units were installed in homes compromising
their new smoke alarm compliance.
What Does This Mean?
Many
landlords are unaware of these stipulations and are breaching them by
installing these fixtures right next to their new smoke alarms. Should a
landlord alter their property with these installations and then seek a
compliance report there are costs involved. If the property fails the
compliance report, this will then cost landlords even more money in
rectification work because they either have to move the smoke alarm or
household fixture/s to comply.
When
installing a new smoke alarm system it is best to contact an expert installer,
like Smoke Alarm Solutions, to ensure your property is compliant and your
investment is safe. On attendance, we are able to tell you exactly where your
smoke alarms need to go and how many smoke alarms you need for your property to
comply to the new legislation.
RealRenta Landlords have
access to Australia’s largest provider of smoke alarm compliance maintenance
services.
Our partner, Smoke
Alarm Solutions, currently service 2000 properties each day through
the working week.
They are the experts when it
comes to making your properties compliant with ever-changing smoke alarm
legislation.
They have the largest field
service capability in the industry, giving them the ability to react quickly to
requests.
Want to know more?
Contact jason@realrenta.com for
more information.
www.realrenta.com.au
Marlene Liontis
Friday, 6 March 2020
