From 1 January 2027, Queensland will become the first state or territory in Australia to require interconnected photoelectric smoke alarms to be installed in all private homes, townhouses, and units. These alarms must be located in:

✔ Every bedroom
✔ Hallways connecting bedrooms
✔ At least one on every storey of the home

Why Interconnected Smoke Alarms?

Interconnected smoke alarms offer enhanced safety by alerting all alarms across the home when smoke is detected in any one location. This ensures that occupants are warned of danger—even if they are in a different room or on a different floor—providing critical time to escape.

The Importance of Alarms Inside Bedrooms

When we sleep, our sense of smell and taste significantly diminish. The most effective way to wake someone during a fire is through sound. Current regulations across Australia require smoke alarms to be installed within one metre of a bedroom door. However, if that door is closed, the alarm may not be loud enough to wake someone inside, and alarms in other parts of the home may go unheard.

In cases where a fire starts inside the bedroom and there is no alarm present, the sleeping occupant may be quickly overcome by smoke, rendering them unconscious before the fire activates an external alarm. This delay can be fatal.

Interconnected bedroom smoke alarms significantly increase the chances of safe evacuation.

Installing them throughout the home, especially in sleeping areas, offers your family the best protection in the event of a fire.

Protect what matters most with Quell’s Q5000 DIY Wireless Interconnect range. Built to withstand Australia’s harshest conditions and ideal for quick installation, it features a sealed 10-year battery—eliminating the hassle of yearly replacements—and comes backed by a 10-year warranty for lasting peace of mind.

Over the past 7 years, there have been legislative and standard changes which have resulted in a shift from ionisation smoke alarms to photoelectric smoke alarms. With these changes, the risk of nuisance alarms has increased largely due to the differing detection methods used between the two device types.

The widespread adoption of photoelectric technology for smoke alarms has come about as a result of modern households having a greater number of synthetic materials. Materials such as plastics, nylon, polyester, and rubber can be found in furnishings, bedding, construction materials, and general household goods. These synthetic materials ignite more readily, and burn faster than natural materials like hardwood timber, cotton, and wool. The need for faster responding smoke alarms drove the adoption of photoelectric technology.

Photoelectric alarms work by aiming a light source (LED) through a sensing chamber to a receiver. When particles enter the chamber, changes to the light pattern are detected by the receiver, which in turn triggers an alarm.

Regular maintenance of your smoke alarms can help reduce the probability of nuisance alarms occurring and ensure the longevity of your device. Refer to these handy tips for guidance.

• Regular Cleaning: Prevent dirt and debris from entering the smoke alarm chamber by regularly cleaning your alarm.
• Battery Replacement: Alarms with 9V batteries should have the battery replaced at least once a year.
• Proper Installation: Install smoke alarms in suitable locations, avoiding areas of high airflow, dead air space, or where steam or high humidity may be present.

Autumn is here and as the weather starts to change, we encourage all households to consider fire safety as you prepare your home for the cooler months.

People are starting to think about how to stay warm, particularly in the southern states, with homes starting to be warmed with heaters and fireplaces. The kitchen is also starting to be used more instead of BBQs from the summer season. Residential fires occur the most in the kitchen, so always be fire-safety conscious when you’re cooking.

Check out the list of handy tips and hints below:

• use candles with caution and never leave them unattended. Ensure they are not in a place where they could fall
• ensure your heaters are to Australian standard and cleaned and/or serviced prior to winter
• clean your smoke alarms by using a vacuum cleaner to remove any dust particles, which can hinder the smoke alarms’ performance in a fire situation
• clear out any rubbish, piles of old newspapers, cardboard boxes and unused furniture and ensure that nothing is blocking the exit and escape points in the home
• clean your cooking appliances and remove the build up of grease from range hood filters
• as the leaves start to fall throughout Autumn, keep your garden clear of leaves to minimise the fuel load for a potential fire. Clean the outside of your house by removing leaves from gutters, roofs and downpipes and fit quality metal leaf guards
• check  power points and power boards to make sure they’re not overloaded and inspect electrical cords and equipment for damage

And of course, households are always better protected from fire by following a few fire safety precautions and having a working smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms on every level of the home and in sleeping areas, fire extinguishers within reach in the kitchen and garage and a home escape plan.

Stay safe this Autumn with Quell.

Did you know that the sensitivity of smoke alarms can decrease over time? In some Australian States it is also a requirement to replace your smoke alarm every 10 years.

An outdated or faulty smoke alarm may just be as dangerous as having no smoke alarm at all. Being unprotected from the possibility of a fire is a risk Quell hopes no family has to face.

To know when your smoke alarm was manufactured, look for a batch number, which is typically printed near the battery compartment. For example, a batch number of 2417 indicates that the product was manufactured in the 24th week of 2017. All Quell alarms have a date of manufacture printed clearly on the base.

Some other handy tips to maintaining your smoke alarm include:

• Clean and vacuum your smoke alarm at least every 6 months. This will help nuisance alarms caused by dust or other contaminants.
• Test your alarm after installing new batteries – simply press the test button.
• Replace your smoke alarm battery at least once a year, typically at daylight saving time.

Smoke Alarm State Legislation

Australian laws requires all residential property owners to install at least one smoke alarm on each floor of the property however the exact requirements vary from state to state.

Not sure what your legal requirements are? Click on the handy links below to check.

• Queensland
• Victoria
• New South Wales
• Western Australia
• South Australia
• Tasmania
• Northern Territory
• ACT

Working smoke alarms are the only smoke alarms that can save lives and property, and it is important they are maintained properly. Why not check your smoke alarm today.

Did you know that having a home fire escape plan in conjunction with a working smoke alarm will greatly increase your chances of getting out safely?

Every second counts when it comes to fire safety.

So here’s just a few tips to help keep you and your family safe in the event of a fire.

• Draw a floor plan of your home and include two ways of escape from each room. Plan an escape route and ensure everyone knows how to get out.
• Keep door and window keys in or next to locks so they can be opened easily.
• Blocked exits are a hazard so keep exits clear of anything that may hinder your exit.
• Decide on a meeting place outside e.g. the letterbox.
• Know who will assist children and those with mobility/health issues.
• Call 000 from a neighbour’s phone or your mobile phone.
• Once you are out, don’t return to the home. Never go back into a burning building.

Download the escape plan template

Thanks to Fire & Rescue NSW who have provided an example of an escape plan with an empty grid so you can draw your own home fire escape plan. Download the escape plan today.

Don’t forget to practice!

Once you’ve had the discussion with the family and worked out the appropriate escape plan for your home and family, don’t forget to practice regularly – both day and night!