10yo smoke alarms in NSW

Civil Fire have recently updated our policy to defect smoke alarms when they are over 10 years old. Previously, this was a recommendation item only.

The reason for this change is the legislation of the Australian Standard for the Maintenance of Fire Protection – AS1851. This standard was legislated in NSW on 16/12/22, and all buildings must be maintained in accordance with this standard by 13th February 2025.

Emergency Lights

In an emergency situation emergency lights should run on their backup battery for at least 90-minutes. Australian Standards require that exit & emergency lights be tested every 6 months. Exit and emergency lights have a shorter lifespan when compared to non-emergency lights.

Smoke Alarms & Landlord Obligations

Landlords have clear obligations when it comes to the installation, repair and maintenance of smoke alarms.
So who is responsible for what?
Landlords can engage Civil Fire to fulfil their obligations for $75 + GST each year.

Preventing faults & alarms on FIP

Unwanted faults & alarms are a challenge for residents and fire protection companies alike. Ordinary activities – cooking in particular – produce airborne particles which can activate smoke detectors. There alarms are often referred to as “nuisance alarms”.

Smoke Alarm FAQs

We get so many questions about smoke alarms. Where should my alarm be installed? How many alarms should I have? Should they be mains-powered or battery operated? Are they mean to be interconnected?