Western Australia
From 1 July 1997 the installation of mains powered smoke alarms became mandatory for all new residential buildings (or residential building extensions) within Western Australia.
Since 1 October 2009 mains powered smoke alarms must also be fitted in all existing residential buildings prior to the transfer of ownership, rent or hire.
Smoke alarms must:
- Be positioned according to the requirements of the Building Code of Australia
- Comply with Australian Standards Mark AS 3786 (from 1 May 2017 all newly installed smoke alarms must comply with Australian Standards Mark AS 3786:2014)
- Be permanently connected to consumer mains power where it is supplied to the building
- Be interconnected, if your home was newly built after 1 May 2015.
Requirements for single level homes
In single level homes, smoke alarms must be installed on or near the ceiling:
- In all hallways leading to bedrooms, or
- Where there is no hallway, in an area near the bedrooms.
Requirements for multi-level homes
In multi-level homes smoke alarms must be installed:
- On each level containing bedrooms (see instructions for a single level home)
- On every other level not containing bedrooms, even if they consist only of bathrooms, laundries, carparking, etc. (The favoured location for smoke alarms is in the path of travel people will most likely take to evacuate the building, such as on a wall or ceiling in the stairway.)
Requirements for small guest houses and boarding houses
Small guest houses and boarding houses (with less than 12 occupants) are required to have smoke alarms installed on or near the ceiling:
- In every bedroom
- In every corridor or hallway associated with a bedroom, or if there is no corridor or hallway, in an area near the bedroom
- On each level of the building.
A system of lighting must also be installed to assist evacuation of occupants in the event of a fire. The lighting must be activated by the smoke alarm and consist of:
- A light incorporated in the smoke alarm; or
- The lighting located in the corridor, hallway or area served by the smoke alarm.
Requirements for those selling, renting or hiring your property
If you’re planning to sell, rent or hire your property, smoke alarms must be:
- In working order
- Less than 10 years from the date of installation.
