
Smoke Alarm Installation in Brisbane
Interconnected photoelectric smoke alarms installed to Queensland’s legislation — for homeowners, landlords and sellers across Brisbane’s southside.
- Licensed & Insured
- AS 3786-2014 Compliant
- Ready for the 2027 Deadline


What Queensland’s Smoke Alarm Laws Require in Your Brisbane Home
Every existing private home, townhouse and unit in Queensland needs interconnected photoelectric smoke alarms by 1 January 2027. Precision Electrical & Air installs and upgrades smoke alarms in homes across Brisbane’s southside.
Our electricians work out where each alarm has to go in your home, install photoelectric alarms that comply with Australian Standard AS 3786-2014, and connect them so that when one alarm sounds, they all sound.
For a home to comply, its smoke alarms must:
- Be photoelectric and comply with AS 3786-2014
- Be interconnected with every other smoke alarm in the home
- Be less than 10 years old
- Be hardwired to mains power or powered by a non-removable 10-year battery
- Work when you press the test button
Where Smoke Alarms Must Be Installed
The Queensland Government’s smoke alarm rules set out the type of alarm, how it is powered and where it goes. The alarms must be installed:
You can read the full requirements on the Queensland Government’s smoke alarms page and the Office of Fair Trading’s guide to buying and installing smoke alarms.
In Every Bedroom
Every bedroom in the home needs its own interconnected photoelectric smoke alarm.
In Connecting Hallways
In the hallways that connect the bedrooms to the rest of the home.
On Every Storey
On every storey of the home. If a storey has no bedrooms, at least one smoke alarm must be installed on the path people would most likely take to get out of the home.
Not sure your home complies?
We specialise in smoke alarm installations and can install the right alarms to detect smoke, help protect your property from fire, and make it compliant with Queensland’s smoke alarm laws.
When the Smoke Alarm Rules Apply to Your Home
The rules have come in over three stages, so the date that matters depends on your situation.
At any time: if you install a new smoke alarm or replace an old one, whatever the age of your home, the replacement must be an interconnected photoelectric smoke alarm that complies with AS 3786-2014.
Since 1 January 2017 — New & Renovated Homes
A new home, or a home where the building application for a substantial renovation went in on or after that date, has needed interconnected photoelectric smoke alarms that comply with AS 3786-2014.
Since 1 January 2022 — Homes That Are Rented or Sold
The same requirements have applied to every home that is leased or sold. A landlord whose rental property does not comply cannot legally rent it out, and it is the owner or landlord, not the tenant, who is responsible. When you sell, you still have to lodge a Form 24 stating that the smoke alarm requirements have been met.
From 1 January 2027 — Every Other Home
The requirements apply to all homes in Queensland, including owner-occupied houses, townhouses and units that have not yet been upgraded.

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From minor repairs to new installations and full system upgrades, Precision Electrical & Air has you covered.
Where Smoke Alarms Go on the Ceiling
Where practicable, smoke alarms must be placed on the ceiling. Queensland’s rules also set minimum distances between each alarm and the fittings around it. A smoke alarm must not be placed within:
- 300mm of the corner where the ceiling meets a wall
- 300mm of a light fitting
- 400mm of an air conditioning vent
- 400mm of the blades of a ceiling fan
Stairways, sloping ceilings and ceilings with exposed beams have their own requirements under the Building Fire Safety Regulation 2008. Because we install ceiling fans, lighting and air conditioning as well as smoke alarms, we take the clearances from your fans, lights and vents into account when we position each alarm.

Our Smoke Alarm Installation Services in Brisbane
Our electricians handle each part of bringing your smoke alarms up to date:
Checking Your Home’s Layout
We count your bedrooms, hallways and storeys and work out how many smoke alarms your home needs and where each one has to go.
Installing Photoelectric Alarms
We install photoelectric alarms that comply with AS 3786-2014, positioned to meet the ceiling and clearance rules.
Setting Up Interconnection
We connect the alarms so that when one is set off, every alarm in the home sounds.
Replacing Old Alarms
We replace older ionisation smoke alarms, removable-battery smoke detectors and alarms that are more than 10 years old.
Maintenance & Testing
We test your smoke alarms and replace batteries so that the alarms keep working after installation.
Book your smoke alarm upgrade
Tell us how many bedrooms and storeys your home has and what alarms are installed now — we’ll inspect and give you a fixed quote.
Hardwired or 10-Year Battery Smoke Alarms
Queensland’s rules allow two ways to power a compliant smoke alarm: a hardwired alarm connected to your home’s mains power, or an alarm with a non-removable battery that lasts 10 years.
If your home already has hardwired smoke alarms and they need replacing, they must be replaced with hardwired photoelectric smoke alarms. Installing or replacing hardwired smoke alarms is electrical work, and electrical work has to be done by a licensed electrician — our licensed electricians carry out the wiring and connect the new alarms to your mains power.
The Office of Fair Trading also points out that some compliant smoke alarms, such as wireless alarms, can be installed without any electrical work. Whether your home is better suited to hardwired or battery-powered alarms depends partly on what is already installed.
We explain the options that meet the rules for your home before any work starts, and give you a fixed price quote that you can accept on the spot.

Smoke Alarm Upgrades for Brisbane Landlords, Sellers and Homeowners
- Landlords need the rental property to comply before a new lease or lease renewal — we can install and interconnect the alarms before the next lease starts.
- Sellers need the smoke alarms to comply before the sale, so that the Form 24 can state that the requirements have been met.
- Homeowners living in their own home have until 1 January 2027.
The Office of Fair Trading notes that supply may be limited or prices may rise close to the cut-off date, and strongly recommends that you do not wait until the last minute to make your home comply.

Looking After Your Smoke Alarms
Once your smoke alarms are installed, you can test them yourself by pressing the test button on each alarm — you do not need an electrician or a technician to test them.
Queensland Government advice is to keep smoke alarms clean in line with the manufacturer’s instructions, which usually means vacuuming them. If an alarm does not sound when you press the test button, or it is more than 10 years old, it needs to be replaced with an interconnected photoelectric smoke alarm.
We work across Brisbane’s southside, including Acacia Ridge, Salisbury and surrounding suburbs. While we’re at your home, we can also look at other electrical work you’ve been putting off, such as a switchboard upgrade or new wiring.


Why Choose Our Smoke Alarm Installation Services
Experienced Team
Our team of experienced electricians has the knowledge and skills to install and repair all kinds of electrical systems.
Top Quality
We use only the highest quality materials and equipment with all our installations and repairs.
Fully Equipped
Our team arrives with all the necessary tools and equipment to ensure efficient, reliable solutions.
Customisation
Every customer’s needs are unique. We deliver customised solutions to meet your requirements and budget.
Up Front Pricing
No surprises here – we provide transparent quotes before we start, so you’ll know exactly what to expect.
Ongoing Support
We provide comprehensive warranty and ongoing support to ensure continued performance.
It Is Easy to Get Started
Contact Us Now
Call 0423 163 359 or Request A Quote. Our friendly team will quickly organise an inspection or ask for additional information.
Up Front Pricing
Zero surprises! Our electrician will assess the work required and provide a fixed price quote, which you can accept on the spot.
Seamless Finish
When the work is completed and the worksite is spotless, we will send you the final invoice and required paperwork.
What Our Electrical Customers Are Saying
Smoke Alarm Questions, Answered
01What type of smoke alarms are required in Queensland homes?
Queensland homes need photoelectric smoke alarms that comply with Australian Standard AS 3786-2014. The alarms must be interconnected, less than 10 years old, and either hardwired to mains power or powered by a non-removable 10-year battery.
02Where do smoke alarms need to be installed in a Queensland home?
Smoke alarms need to be installed in every bedroom, in the hallways that connect the bedrooms to the rest of the home, and on every storey. If a storey has no bedrooms, at least one alarm must be installed on the most likely path out of the home.
03When do I need to upgrade the smoke alarms in my home?
If you rent out or sell your home, the requirements have applied since 1 January 2022. New homes and substantially renovated homes have had to comply since 1 January 2017. All other homes in Queensland must comply by 1 January 2027.
04Do I need an electrician to install smoke alarms?
You need a licensed electrician when the installation involves electrical work, such as installing or replacing hardwired smoke alarms. Some compliant alarms, such as wireless alarms, can be installed without electrical work. If your existing smoke alarms are hardwired, the replacements must also be hardwired.
05Can I test my own smoke alarms?
Yes. You can test your own smoke alarms by pressing the test button on each alarm. Clean them in line with the manufacturer’s instructions, which usually means vacuuming them. Replace any alarm that does not sound when tested or that is more than 10 years old.

Reliable Brisbane Electricians
With decades of experience as dedicated sparkies under our belt, there aren’t many electrical jobs we can’t help you with. In fact, our customers would likely agree that we can do it better than most other electricians.
If you want to get prices quickly? phone us on 0423 163 359, or send a message through our contact form today.
We are located in Salisbury, which is just 20 mins (12kms) via the M3 on the southside of Brisbane, QLD.
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