Smoke Alarm Service

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Based in Melbourne, PowerQ Test & Tag Melbourne offers electrical testing and tagging services in Melbourne with full compliance to test and tag regulations that apply for Victoria. We are an experienced team of smart and skilled professionals, with full public liability cover and competence in test and tag services. We assure you complete peace of mind when you engage us as we follow all test and tag regulations that apply to your industry.We pride ourselves on delivering prompt, reliable, and affordable services tailored to meet your specific needs. Trust PowerQ Test & Tag Melbourne to ensure the safety and compliance of your electrical equipment.

Inpect and Test Stand Alone Smoke Alarms

Why should I have a smoke alarm?

Smoke alarms are compulsory in every home

By law, all residential properties must have working smoke alarms complying with Australian Standards AS 3786.

Residential homes constructed after 1 August 1997, or homes which have undergone a major renovation or extension, must have smoke alarms connected to 240-volt mains power with battery backup.

Residential homes constructed before 1 August 1997 may have battery-operated smoke alarms.

Residential homes constructed after 1 May 2014, or homes which have undergone a major renovation or extension, must have smoke alarms interconnected (if there is a requirement for more than one smoke alarm).

New Smoke Alarm Laws in Victoria. The recently changed Residential Tenancy Regulations has made it mandatory for landlords to conduct regular gas and electric safety checks on their rental properties. Gas and electric safety checks must be done at least every 2 years and smoke alarms must be tested annually.

Smoke alarm facts

If you don’t have a working smoke alarm installed in your home and a fire occurs:

You are more likely to incur property loss and damage.

All smoke alarms:

You are more likely to suffer serious injury or death.

Need to be tested monthly.

Contain a battery.

Smoke alarms should not be located in kitchens and bathrooms.

1. The Australasian Fire and Emergency Services Council (AFAC) recommends smoke alarms be replaced with interconnected alarms in all sleeping areas, living spaces, paths of travel (hallways, stairways) and garages if they are under the home’s main roof.

2. New Smoke Alarm Laws in Victoria. The recently changed Residential Tenancy Regulations has made it mandatory for landlords to conduct regular gas and electric safety checks on their rental properties. Gas and electric safety checks must be done at least every 2 years and smoke alarms must be tested annually.

Smoke alarms powered by 240-volt mains must be interconnected by an electrician.

3. Battery operated, including long life battery alarms, can be interconnected by purchasing interconnected wireless smoke alarms. Electricians are not required to install these smoke alarms.

Smoke alarms must be installed in:

All residential buildings where people sleep (houses, units, flats and townhouses).

Buildings used for short term accommodation

(boarding house, guest house, hostel, bed and breakfast accommodation, cabins in caravan parks, tourist parks, holiday resorts, and similar tourist accommodation Victorian fire and rescue services recommend smoke alarms connected to 240-volt mains power with a battery backup or alarms powered by a 10 year long-life battery. When more than one smoke alarm is installed, they should be interconnected so that when any alarm activates, all smoke alarms will sound.

Frequently asked questions:

Why should I test my smoke alarm?

A working smoke alarm is your first line of defence in the event of a fire. You should test your smoke alarm regularly to ensure the battery is not flat and that the alarm will sound when you need it most.

Why does my smoke alarm beep once every 60 seconds or intermittently?

This could mean that the battery is going flat and needs replacing.
Note: Replace the entire smoke alarm if it still beeps after installing a new battery.

Why do 240-volt smoke alarms have a battery?

240-volt smoke alarms connected to mains power are required to have a battery to provide back-up power in the event of a power outage.

What can I do if my smoke alarm operates every time I make toast or have a shower?

Do not remove the battery. A primary reason why smoke alarms do not operate when needed is because batteries have been removed after repeated false alarms. What you should do is:

Check the type of smoke alarm installed – if it is an ionisation type, consider replacing it with a photoelectric type smoke alarm.
Consider installing an exhaust fan in the kitchen or bathroom.
Consider relocating the smoke alarm away from the kitchen or bathroom.

Rental Properties:

Residential rental providers are responsible for fitting smoke alarms in rented properties.1

Victoria’s Residential Tenancies Act, Section 68 (1), states “A residential rental provider must ensure that rented premises are provided and maintained in good repair.” A landlord must repair or replace a non-functioning smoke alarm once notified by the tenant.2

It is the responsibility of renters to test the smoke alarm each month and it is the responsibility of the landlord or owner to clean the smoke alarm and replace the battery annually (if applicable)

1. Consumer Affairs Victoria, Renting a home:
A guide for tenants, p. 20, 32

2. Residential Tenancies Amendment Act 2018

3. Australasian Fire and Emergency Service

Authorities Counsil,Smoke Alarm in Residential Accommodation, 2018, p. 4.

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