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Having functioning smoke alarms are vital for every home and it’s also required by law, so it’s important to know how to install them. Experts recommend smoke alarms are installed in every living area and bedroom. If you have a multi-storey home, it’s recommended you have at least one smoke alarm on each floor.
Safety tip: Always wear the appropriate safety equipment (safety glasses, gloves, ear muffs and a mask, for example) and always follow the instructions for the product or equipment.
It’s a legal requirement to have operating smoke detectors in your home. Each state and territory in Australia has different regulations regarding how many alarms are required and where they must be placed.
For example, all Victorian residential properties must have smoke alarms on every level. This includes all houses, units, flats, and townhouses.
Before you begin, check your state’s regulations to ensure you are meeting their requirements.
Smoke alarm requirements by state:
It’s recommended that smoke alarms are located between each bedroom area and the rest of the home to give every household member the highest chance of being alerted if there is a fire. There are also some areas to avoid.
Avoid heat and humidity: Avoid placing smoke alarms in areas above stoves, ovens, clothes dryers, washing machines or in areas where there will be significant heat or steam.
Avoid drafts: Avoid areas within 1.5m of high air flow as this may set off a false alarm. These areas include windows, doors, air ducts, ceiling fans, or air conditioners.
Avoid dead air spaces: Avoid areas where air can get trapped and prevent smoke from easily reaching the alarm, such as the corner junction of walls and ceilings.
Connecting smoke alarms is important because it ensures that all alarms in a home or building are interconnected. That way, if one alarm detects smoke or fire, all the alarms in the network will sound an alarm. This can help provide early warning to people in the building, giving them more time to evacuate or take other necessary safety measures.
Make sure you purchase smoke alarms that are compatible with each other. Depending on the brand of alarm you’ve chosen, follow the set-up directions to connect them all together.
To test this, activate one smoke alarm as the master alarm. Press the test button three times until a red light appears on the back, followed by a blue light. For all secondary alarms, press the test button three times until a red light is followed by a blue light. This signifies that all the alarms are connected to the master alarm.
Once you know where to install the alarm, remove the mounting plate from the packet. Using the mounting plate holes as a template, use a pencil to mark out where the holes need to be drilled to install your smoke alarm.
Using a drill, carefully pre-drill the holes to a 5mm diameter.
Push the two plastic plugs (included with the new smoke alarm) into the holes.
Line up the mounting bracket with the plastic plugs and fix the provided screws firmly into the plugs.
Secure the smoke alarm body to the mounting plate by twisting it clockwise; alternatively, follow the instruction manual if your alarm design differs.
Conduct a test run to ensure you’ve installed the smoke alarm correctly. Do this by holding down the test button for a few seconds – the alarm should make a sound. If there is no sound, you may need to reset your smoke alarm or change the batteries. Most smoke detectors should have a reset button that you can activate by holding it down for 15 to 20 seconds.
Dust, dirt, and insects can interfere with a smoke alarm, so you should clean around your smoke alarms at least twice a year. You can do this by simply vacuuming around the smoke alarms’ exterior or by wiping it down with a cloth.
We’ll show you how in this easy, step-by-step D.I.Y. guide.
Asbestos, lead-based paints and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber are health hazards you need to look out for when renovating older homes. These substances can easily be disturbed when renovating and exposure to them can cause a range of life-threatening diseases and conditions including cancer. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer or visit our Health & Safety page.
When following our advice in our D.I.Y. videos, make sure you use all equipment, including PPE, safely by following the manufacturer’s instructions. Check that the equipment is suitable for the task and that PPE fits properly. If you are unsure, hire an expert to do the job or talk to a Bunnings Team Member.
