SMOKE ALARM LEGISLATION FOR RENTAL PROPERTIES
Tasmanian Residential Tenancy Smoke Alarm Act & Regulations.
From 1 May 2013 all buildings that are tenanted under a residential tenancy agreement in Tasmania are required to be fitted with smoke alarms.
From 1 May 2013 to 30 April 2016 these smoke alarms can be 9 volt stand alone types but from 1 May 2016 onwards they must be either mains powered or have a 10 year sealed battery.
The regulations require smoke alarms to be placed in tenanted premises that are, or are part of, a building that is a Class 1a, 1b, 2, 3 or 4 in accordance with the Building Code of Australia (BCA).
Examples of the premises contained in each class include:
- 1a – Homes, town houses, villa units etc.;
- 1b – Small guest houses, boarding houses accommodating up to 12 persons;
- 2 – Apartments and blocks of flats;
- 3 – Larger boarding houses; and
- 4 – Caretaker flats and residences above shops.
Owners Responsibilities.
At the beginning of a tenancy, the owner of the rental property must ensure that:
- All alarms function effectively;
- The batteries are installed;
- The batteries have not reached their expiry date and will not do so within 30 days of the tenancy commencing;
- The alarms have not reached their expiry date; and
- The alarms are free from dust and debris.
Tenants Responsibilities.
Maintenance, testing and cleaning requirements for tenants.
Tenants must ensure that batteries for removable battery alarms are replaced, if the batteries:
- Have not been replaced for 12 months or more since the tenancy commenced;
- No longer function effectively or at all;
- Have reached their expiry date, more than 30 days after the tenancy commenced;
- Test all smoke alarms installed at the premises every 6 months; and
- Remove any dust and debris from the smoke alarms every 6 months.
The Tasmanian Residential Tenancy Smoke Alarm Act 2012 has been passed and requires smoke alarms to be installed in all Tasmanian rental properties from 1/5/2013.
This means that all residential rental properties in Tasmania must have operational smoke alarms which are correctly located and maintained during the occupancy.
(Please note, a high percentage of properties may require replacement or additional alarms during this service to ensure they comply with the new laws. All smoke alarms have a 10 year lifespan.)
Complete Fire Safety are specialists in all aspects of Fire Safety for domestic properties.
CFS can supply and service all types and brands of smoke alarms, fire extinguishers & fire blankets.
PROPERTY MANAGEMENT MAINTENANCE SERVICE
- The CFS annual maintenance smoke alarm service includes battery replacement, cleaning, full testing with alarm testing smoke and compliance in accordance with the current regulations. (Applies to 20 km from Hobart CBD. regional services are available)
- CFS can replace or supply & install Mains Powered Photoelectric 240V smoke detector with 9V battery backup.
- CFS can supply & install new Photoelectric Smoke Alarms that have a 10 year sealed for life lithium battery. (We will not install Ionisation Smoke Alarms)
The annual maintenance service fee includes as many return visits as required per year to ensure the property remains compliant. The property must be inspected prior to a new tenant gaining occupancy then annually to check the operation and rectify any faults.
MAINTENANCE AND TESTING OF SMOKE ALARMS, EVERY SIX MONTHS TENANTS ARE REQUIRED TO;
- Test all smoke alarms installed at the premises; and
- Remove any dust and debris from the smoke alarms.
Where a smoke alarms fails or malfunctions, for reasons other than the failure of removable batteries or the mains power supply, a tenant must notify the Owner/ Manager as soon as practicable after becoming aware of the failure or malfunction.
LET CFS TAKE THE HASSLE AND HEADACHES OUT OF YOUR HOME FIRE SAFETY.
PLACEMENT OF SMOKE ALARMS IN BUILDINGS
The regulations set out where alarms are required to be located in each class of building, in line with the relevant provisions of the Building Code of Australia (BCA).
Alarms must be installed on, or near, the ceiling in each class of building as follows:
Class 1a building (Houses, town houses, villa units etc.)
- if any storey of the premises contain a bedroom – (i) in every corridor, or hallway, situated in the storey, that is associated with a bedroom; and (ii) if there is no corridor, or hallway, situated in the storey, that is associated with a bedroom, between that part of the premises containing the bedroom and the remainder of the premises; and
- in any other storey of the premises that does not contain a bedroom.
Class 1b building (Small guesthouses, boarding houses accommodating up to 12 persons)
- if any storey of the premises contains a bedroom – (i) in each bedroom in that storey; and (ii) in every corridor, or hallway, associated with a bedroom; and (iii) if there is no corridor, or hallway, associated with a bedroom, between that part of the premises containing the bedroom and the remainder of the premises; and
- in any other storey of the premises that does not contain a bedroom.
If you would like a quote or advice on smoke alarms, call our Service & Equipment Manager – Scott Shaw.
Phone 0457 300 643
Email: Scott@completefiresafety.net.au for more information.
