There are two types of smoke alarms available for residents on the market:

• ionisation smoke alarms;
• photoelectric smoke alarms.

The photoelectric smoke alarm may be more effective in detecting smouldering fires. We recommend that as your ionisation smoke alarm nears its expiry date (usually ten years) or becomes faulty, you consider replacing it with a photoelectric smoke alarm.

All South Australian homes must be fitted with a working smoke alarm.

New Buildings

Since 1 January 1995, smoke alarms have been required in all new homes in South Australia. These alarms must be hard wired to the 240 volt mains power supply unless the dwelling is not connected to such a supply. They should also be fitted with a back-up battery to provide power in case of a mains power supply failure. In dwellings not connected to mains power, smoke alarms powered by 10 year life, non-replaceable, non-removable, permanently connected batteries may be installed.

Existing Buildings

As a minimum requirement all homes where building approval was granted before 1 January 1995 are required to be fitted with a smoke alarm powered by a replaceable battery subject to the following change of ownership conditions.

Change of ownership on or after 1 February 1998
From 1 February 1998, if there is a change of ownership of the land on which any building covered by this legislation is built, the new owner must, within 6 months of title transfer, install smoke alarms either:

• hard wired to the 240 volt household power supply (unless the dwelling is not connected to such a supply); or
• powered by 10 year life, non-replaceable, non-removable, permanently connected batteries.

Home owners were required to comply with the smoke alarm legislation for existing buildings by 1 January 2000.

Interconnection

From 1 May 2014, smoke alarms have been required to be interconnected in all new dwellings.

In existing buildings (approved before 1 May 2014) any extension or addition which requires more than one smoke alarm must have those alarms interconnected however there is not a requirement to interconnect to alarms in the existing building.

Smoke alarms in subsequent extensions will be required to interconnect to any alarms in extensions approved after 1 May 2014.

For the latest information on Smoke Alarm Systems in SA click HERE

For Australian Standard compliant solutions click HERE