Smoke alarms are a legal requirement in every South Australian home, and they need to be installed and working. What you need can depend on when your house was approved (built) and whether the property has changed ownership.
Below is a practical guide to what ‘compliant’ means in South Australia, where to install alarms, what features to consider, and how PSA can help you choose the right products.
Here are the key requirements South Australian homeowners and landlords should know:
- Smoke alarms must be installed in all South Australian homes and kept in working order.
- Homeowners and residential landlords are responsible for making sure smoke alarms are working and installed correctly.
- Smoke alarms must comply with Australian Standard AS 3786 (as indicated on the packaging).
- If you don’t have smoke alarms installed, you may face fines of up to $750.
- Key date-based rules apply for 1995 (build approval), 1998 (change of ownership) and 2014 (interconnection); explained below.
Note: This is a general guide. Requirements can vary based on your home’s construction and any renovations or extensions. If you’re unsure, speak with a qualified electrician or fire safety professional.
South Australian smoke alarm requirements apply to residential properties (including houses and units). The minimum requirements often depend on when the property was bought, plus whether it’s a newer home or has had building work done.
- Bought before 1 February 1998: you must fit at least a replaceable battery-powered smoke alarm.
- Bought from 1 February 1998: you have 6 months from the date of title transfer to fit the correct number of smoke alarms. They can be either:
- 240V mains-powered, or
- 10-year life sealed battery (non-replaceable, non-removable, permanently connected).
- Built/approved from 1 January 1995: smoke alarms must be 240V mains-powered (unless the dwelling isn’t connected to mains power). Battery back-up is recommended.
- From 1 May 2014: new dwellings (and some additions/extensions) require interconnected smoke alarms so when one activates, they all sound.
Alarms should be placed so they give reasonable warning to people in sleeping areas. Depending on your home’s size and layout, you may need more than one alarm.
A practical way to think about placement:
- Put an alarm where it will wake sleeping occupants (commonly near bedroom areas/hallways leading to bedrooms).
In multi-storey homes, at least one smoke alarm is typically needed on each storey (and interconnection is strongly recommended for faster warning throughout the house).
For the best protection, the SA Metropolitan Fire Service recommends photoelectric alarms, ideally hard-wired and interconnected, to provide the earliest possible warning.
Owner / Occupier
- Make sure smoke alarms are installed correctly and working.
Keep up with basic maintenance (see below), and replace alarms when they reach end-of-life (often around 10 years).
Rental Provider (Landlord / Agent)
- All rental properties must have a working smoke alarm installed, and landlords should check that alarms are working during routine inspections.
SA fire service guidance also notes that the owner is responsible for installing working smoke alarms in rented homes and for ensuring they’re maintained (with these responsibilities often clarified in the lease).
Renter (Tenant)
- Report any faults as soon as possible so the alarm can be repaired or replaced. (Practically, the sooner it’s reported, the safer everyone is.)
Don’t tamper with alarms (for example, removing batteries or turning off the unit).
