All South Australian homes must be fitted with a working smoke alarm.
Homeowners and residential landlords are responsible for making sure they are working and installed correctly. The type of smoke alarm you need depends on when you bought the property or its age.
Fines of up to $750 apply if alarms are not installed.
Bought before 1 February 1998
You must fit a replaceable battery powered smoke alarm if you bought the property before 1 February 1998.
Bought from 1 February 1998
By law, you have six months from the date the title is transferred to fit the correct number of smoke alarms.
The smoke alarm can be:
- 240 volt, mains-powered smoke alarm
- 10-year life, non-replaceable, non-removable, permanently connected battery powered smoke alarm.
Built from 1 January 1995
The Building Code of Australia requires a 240 volt, mains powered smoke alarm.
Interconnections
New dwellings, additions or extensions must interconnect smoke alarms. This means that when one alarm is triggered, it will activate all other alarms at the property.
Read the 2014 advisory notice for further advice - New requirements for the interconnection of smoke alarms.
Installing an alarm
Smoke alarms should be located where people will be given reasonable warning if they are asleep.
You might need to install more than one smoke alarm to give enough warning. This will depend on the size and layout of the home.
