New smoke alarm laws to save lives
When a fire starts in a home, time is critical and every second that passes reduces the chances of survival especially while the occupants are sleeping. Statistics show that it can take as little as five minutes for a fire to engulf a home.
New regulations, which came into effect on 1 October 2009, now require homeowners and landlords to fit mains-powered smoke alarms to homes prior to sale or before a new tenancy agreement is signed. If there are no tenancy changes, rental properties will need to have smoke alarms fitted by 1 October 2011. These new laws apply equally to residential buildings in retirement villages.
The regulations will form part of local government building laws and councils will have the power to issue infringement notices or fines of up to $5,000 for non-compliance.
“Fires can start quickly and without warning. A working smoke alarm will detect a fire at a very early stage, giving residents more time to escape safely,” said Russell Stevens, Director of Research and Liaison at the Fire and Emergency Services Authority (FESA).
Since 1997, all new homes being built are required to have mains-powered smoke detectors installed, but installation in existing homes was voluntary.
FESA recommends mains powered photo-electric smoke alarms as the most effective.
“The new regulations require a detector near sleeping areas of the house, however FESA strongly recommends an alarm be installed in each bedroom as well if bedroom doors are closed at night,” Mr Stevens said
“Often people sleep with their bedroom doors closed at night and only an alarm installed in that room will detect a fire fast enough for them to get out quickly.
“Also, if you are installing smoke alarms in a multi-level home or property, you need to have an additional alarm in the stairway between each level to ensure the exit pathway from the building is free of smoke.”
The detectors should not be installed near cooking appliances, heaters or fireplaces, bathrooms or laundries, heating or cooling duct outlets, ceiling fans, fluorescent lighting, doors or windows.