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.

In Western Australia, mains powered smoke alarms must be fitted in all residential buildings. Smoke alarms with a non-removable ten year battery life are permitted in dwellings where the construction of the building does not permit a space to conceal the wiring and there is no other suitable alternative location or where mains power supply is not available.

To comply with the Regulations, owners must ensure that the smoke alarm(s):

• are in accordance with the Building Code of Australia (BCA) applicable at the time of installation of the alarms. (The BCA specifies the relevant edition of the Australian Standard for residential smoke alarms (AS 3786) and location the smoke alarms must comply with);
• are not more than 10 years old at the time of the transfer of ownership, or making the dwelling available for rent or hire;
• are in working order; and
• are permanently connected to consumer mains power (hard-wired).

The BCA requires smoke alarms to be interconnected where there is more than one alarm. However interconnection of smoke alarms is not applicable to dwellings that were approved for construction prior to 1 May 2015.

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

For Australian Standard compliant solutions click HERE