Is your Property Portfolio Compliant with QLD 2022 Legislation?

New Legislation for smoke alarm compliance will come into effect on the 1st January 2022. Properties must be compliant from this date or after the first change of tenancy or lease renewal in 2022.  Some properties may already be compliant with the new legislation and will not need an upgrade, however, most are not compliant.

The number of smoke alarms required in rental properties will depend on a variety of factors like the number of rooms, locations, storeys, or hallways.  

All the smoke alarms installed in your rental properties must be photoelectric alarms, also known as optical or photo-optical, which will detect any type of smoke or combustible particle to detect all types of fires.

All of the alarms must be interconnected either through hard-wired or radiofrequency technology. This means that when one alarm sounds, all alarms will sound to alert residents of a fire anywhere in the dwelling.  All alarms must have a battery backup to ensure alarms function, even in a blackout.  Alarms must be less than 10 years old and cannot contain an ionization sensor.

Where are alarms required to be installed?

• Every storey: Each storey in your rental property must contain at least 1 smoke alarm, regardless of whether there are bedrooms or not.
• Every bedroom: Each bedroom, office or study in your property must contain a smoke alarm.
• Hallways: Any hallway that connects bedroom(s) to the remainder of the dwelling must be equipped with a smoke alarm.
• If no hallway: If you have bedrooms that open off another part of the residence without a hallway, you must have a smoke alarm in that portion of the dwelling. For instance, if you have a bedroom that opens off a family room, you'll need a smoke alarm in the family room outside the bedroom.
• Storey with no bedroom: This storey would require at least one smoke alarm along the most likely path to exit the building.

When must alarms be compliant?

• New Construction and Renovation: Any new dwellings or those that undergo a major renovation that requires building permits must be in compliance since 2017. If you're planning renovations to an existing rental unit, your local permits office will let you know if you need to be compliant.
• Existing Rental Properties: If you have smoke alarms that are older than 10 years or alarms that do not function when tested, you must replace those with compliant smoke alarms immediately. If all alarms are functioning at this time, you must install photoelectric, interconnected alarms by 1 January 2022 to remain in compliance. Any rental units sold during this time also must be brought into compliance.
• Homeowners: All owner-occupied homes in Queensland need to be brought into compliance by 1 January 2027. Homes sold in the meantime need to be brought into compliance.

2022 compliance can be confusing, but it doesn't have to be. Read more on our resources page or contact us for the information you need.