Queensland Smoke Alarm Legislation

What is the New Legislation?

The new legislation specifies that all Queensland dwellings will be required to have interconnected photoelectric smoke alarms in all bedrooms, in hallways that connect bedrooms with the rest of the dwelling and on every level.

What does Interconnected mean?

It means the Smoke Alarms communicate with each other, forming an integrated system of protection for the property. Alarms can be interconnected via wires or wirelessly via RF radio signals. If one alarm in the property activates, they all activate. Even if a fire starts and is detected in the kitchen, people asleep upstairs will hear the alarm because of this safety feature.

Being in Property Management, how does this affect you?

All Rental Properties must adhere to the new Legislation by 1st January 2022. Every property in your Portfolio needs to have Interconnected smoke alarms installed by 31st December 2021.

From the 1st January 2017,  If a property has undergone substantial renovation, the property needs to have interconnected Smoke Alarms (this applies to building applications submitted from 1 January 2017).

Agents and Landlords who do not comply could face serious consequences, including hefty fines and possible jail time.

How is SATS helping to transition your Portfolio to adhere to the New Legislation?

SATS will issue a quotation to your office for every property we attend that requires modifications to meet the new legislation.

 

 

 

 

Safety Switch vs Circuit Breaker. Do you know the difference?

 Safety Switch vs Circuit Breaker

Both Safety Switches and Circuit Breakers promote safety and prevent damage to you and your property, but they are not the same thing. Unfortunately, there are a lot of misconceptions about these two electrical safety devices that have been causing a lot of confusion in the mind of people.

It’s important to know the differences between Safety Switches and Circuit Breakers because these are the vital electrical components that keep your family safe.

Let’s look a little closer at these two devices:

Safety Switch

Visually, a Safety Switch has a “test” button.

Safety Switches monitor the flow of electricity through a circuit and turn off the power in a fraction of a second if a leakage of current is detected. Safety Switches are specifically designed to protect human beings from death or serious injury from electrical shocks. Safety Switches are an additional form of protection to be used with Circuit Breakers.

Circuit Breaker

Visually similar, there is no “test” button on a Circuit Breaker

Circuit Breakers both serve to protect an overloaded electrical circuit by interrupting the continuity, or the flow of electricity. Most houses are equipped with Circuit Breakers in the main switchboard to protect the wiring from overloads. Circuit Breakers provide short-circuit and over-current protection such as when a power point is overloaded, but it does not protect an individual from electrocution.