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