Smoke Alarm Laws in NSW: Do You Comply?
What NSW law requires (and what FRNSW recommends)
If you live in St Ives, Manly, Mosman, or anywhere on the North Shore and Northern Beaches, a working smoke alarm is the simplest protection you will ever install. NSW law requires at least one working smoke alarm on every level of your home, and any alarms installed after 1 May 2006 must comply with AS 3786. Fire and Rescue NSW also reminds us that alarms age and should be replaced at least every 10 years.
Where should alarms go in a typical North Shore or Beaches home
Start with the legal minimum, one on each storey, then follow best practice. Place alarms in hallways outside bedrooms, and between sleeping areas and exits. In split level homes around Freshwater, Collaroy, or St Ives Chase, we often recommend interconnected alarms so that when one sounds, they all sound, giving your family more time to respond. Avoid placing alarms too close to kitchens or bathrooms, where steam and cooking fumes can cause false alarms. Diagram, a simple floor plan showing alarms in sleep zone hallways, with arrows illustrating interconnection.
Replace alarms every 10 years - here’s why
Like any safety device, smoke alarms do not last forever. Dust, insects, and humidity slowly degrade the sensor. If the manufacture date on the back is 2015 or earlier, it is time to replace. Consider upgrading to photoelectric, interconnected units while you are at it.
Photoelectric vs ionisation, hard wired vs 10 year battery
For most bedrooms and living areas, photoelectric alarms detect smouldering fires more effectively. If your home cannot be hard wired, common in some older North Shore terraces or apartments, a 10 year lithium battery alarm is a strong option. In renovations and new builds, we prefer hard wired alarms with battery backup and interconnection for whole of home warning, so your family hears the alarm wherever the fire starts. Always follow the alarm manufacturer instructions, and check AS 3786 compliance labelling.
Testing & maintenance checklist
• Monthly, press the test button
• Six monthly, vacuum the vents
• Annually, if your alarm uses a replaceable battery, change it
• Every 10 years, replace the alarm
Common issues we fix on the Beaches and North Shore
• Alarms older than 10 years, often discovered during paint jobs
• Non interconnected alarms in larger homes, where sound does not travel through closed doors
• Incorrect placement near kitchens or bathrooms, causing nuisance beeps
• Painted over or dust clogged vents that reduce sensitivity
What to expect when we install or replace alarms
We assess your layout, for example two storey family homes in St Ives, or apartments near Manly, recommend compliant locations, supply the right alarms, install and test them, and show you a simple test and maintenance routine. All electrical work is performed by NSW licensed electricians, and you will receive a Certificate of Compliance for Electrical Work, CCEW, for the installation.
Book a compliant install across the North Shore & Beaches
We service Mosman, Neutral Bay, Cremorne, North Sydney, Chatswood, Crows Nest, Lane Cove, Manly, Dee Why, Freshwater, Brookvale, Balgowlah, Collaroy, Narrabeen, Avalon, Palm Beach and surrounds.
