What Brisbane, Redlands & Logan Homeowners Need to Fix Before Summer
New on‑the‑spot fines for smoke alarms have landed in Queensland. If you’re in Redlands, Logan or Brisbane’s southside, a missing or out‑of‑date alarm could now cost you around $685 — and that’s before you even think about safety. Here’s what to fix now so you’re ready for summer and storm season.
What changed (in simple terms)
Queensland fire authorities can now issue penalty infringement notices (PINs) for a range of smoke‑alarm breaches in homes, including:
- Not installing the required alarms
- Not replacing alarms within 10 years of the manufacture date
- Lessors/tenants not testing and cleaning alarms as required
Many of these offences are set at 5 penalty units (about $685 right now) and adjust each July.
The 2027 deadline (applies to all homes)
By 1 January 2027, every Queensland home must have photoelectric, interconnected smoke alarms:
- In every bedroom
- In hallways that connect bedrooms (or the room outside the bedrooms if there’s no hallway)
- On every storey — at least one alarm in the path to the exit if no bedrooms on that level
- Hard‑wired to mains power or powered by a non‑removable 10‑year battery
This covers Redlands and Brisbane including Thornlands, Cleveland, Victoria Point, Capalaba, Alexandra Hills, Wellington Point, Birkdale, Mount Cotton and suburbs across Logan like Springwood, Shailer Park, Rochedale South and Loganholme.
Room‑by‑room checklist (tick these off today)
Bedrooms
- One alarm inside every bedroom
- Photoelectric and marked to AS 3786‑2014
- Interlinked so when one goes off, they all do
Hallways / adjoining rooms
- One alarm in the hallway connecting bedrooms
- No hallway? Place the alarm in the room outside the bedrooms
Every storey
- At least one alarm on each level, in the path to the exit
Placement basics (avoid nuisance beeps and non‑compliance)
- Ceiling mount where possible
- Keep clear of obstructions: ≥300 mm from corners and light fittings, and ≥400 mm from A/C vents and fan blades
- If steam or cooking fumes are an issue, move the alarm to the nearest spot that still alerts occupants
Power & interlinking
- Replace hard‑wired alarms with hard‑wired units
- Battery units must be non‑removable 10‑year type
- Interlink can be wired or wireless — just make sure all alarms talk to each other
Common fails we fix across Redlands & Logan
- Expired alarms (older than 10 years) — check the build date on the base
- Not interlinked — multiple alarms working alone is non‑compliant
- Wrong type — ionisation alarms don’t meet today’s rules; you need photoelectric
- Bad placement — too close to corners, lights, fans or A/C vents
- Mixing power types incorrectly — replacing a hard‑wired unit with battery only
- Rental lapses — alarms not tested/cleaned at tenancy start or annually during a tenancy
If your board is older or tripping, it’s a great time to consider a switchboard upgrade in Brisbane and Redlands while we’re onsite for your smoke‑alarm compliance.
Need an Electrician or Solar Specialist in Brisbane or Redlands?
Selling or renting?
- Selling: the seller must declare compliant alarms at settlement
- Rentals (lessor/agent): test and clean within 30 days of a new tenancy or renewal, and replace expired/faulty alarms
- Rentals (tenant): test and clean at least once every 12 months during the tenancy and report faults promptly
Book a local compliance check
Live in Thornlands, Redlands, Logan or Brisbane’s southside? Solair Electrical can get your home sorted fast:
- Full smoke‑alarm compliance check
- On‑the‑spot fixes and replacements
- Clear, local advice so you stay safe — and fine‑free
Areas we service
📍ThornlandsFAQ – Electricians in Brisbane & Redlands
What fines apply for smoke‑alarm breaches in QLD?
On‑the‑spot fines now apply for common breaches such as failing to install required alarms, not replacing alarms within 10 years, and not testing/cleaning alarms in rentals. Many of these are set at 2 penalty units (about $334 right now) and adjust each July.
Do I need a smoke alarm in every bedroom?
Yes. By 1 January 2027, alarms must be in every bedroom, in hallways that connect bedrooms (or the adjacent room if no hallway), and on every storey.
How do I know if my alarm is compliant?
Check the label for “Photoelectric” and AS 3786‑2014, confirm it’s interlinked with the others, and look for the manufacture date on the base (replace at 10 years). If the old unit was hard‑wired, the replacement must be hard‑wired.
Where exactly should I mount the smoke alarm?
Ceiling‑mount where possible. Keep it ≥300 mm from corners and light fittings and ≥400 mm from A/C vents and fan blades. If steam or cooking fumes set it off, shift it to the nearest spot that still gives good warning.
When is the deadline to upgrade my smoke alarms in QLD?
By 1 January 2027, all homes must have photoelectric, interconnected alarms in every bedroom, in hallways that connect bedrooms, and on every storey.