Smoke Alarms

It is the Owner’s responsibility to install smoke alarms in their rental properties.   Since 1 August 1997, Victorian law states that smoke alarms (complying with Australian standards AS 3786) must be installed in all homes, units, flats and townhouses.  Hard wired smoke alarms with a battery back-up must be installed in all buildings constructed after 1 August 1997.  Building constructed before that date can have a battery powered smoke alarm.Smoke alarms must be located between each bedroom area and the rest of the houseIn addition, inside any bedroom where someone sleeps with the door shut. In a two storey house a smoke alarm is required on every storey, located in the path that people will use to evacute.

Process for testing smoke alarms:

• Monthly- test by pressing the test button with a broom handle
• Yearly – vacuum around your smoke alarm vents
• Yearly – replace your 9 volt battery each year at the end of daylight saving