When Should Smoke Alarms Be Replaced?

Smoke alarms have a working lifespan

Smoke alarms degrade over time. The sensing element inside loses sensitivity, and the backup battery ages, even in mains-powered units. As a general rule, smoke alarms should be replaced every 10 years from the date of manufacture — not the date you moved in. If you're unsure how old your alarms are, replacement is the safe assumption.

The manufacture or expiry date is printed on the side or back of the alarm. If you can't find one, or it's past 10 years, it's time to replace them.

Photoelectric alarms are the standard

Photoelectric smoke alarms detect visible smoke particles from smouldering fires — the type of fire most likely to start in a home — far faster than old ionisation alarms. Current WA requirements call for photoelectric alarms, and we only install photoelectric mains-powered units.

Why interconnection matters

Interconnected alarms are linked so that when one detects smoke, every alarm in the house sounds at the same time. If a fire starts in the kitchen while you're asleep in a bedroom at the other end of the house, an interconnected system gives you the earliest possible warning throughout the whole property.

Hardwired 240V interconnection is the most reliable method and is what we install for new builds, renovations and compliance upgrades.

Selling or renting out a property

Mains-powered interconnected photoelectric smoke alarms are required to be installed in the specified locations when a home is sold or rented. If you're preparing a property for sale or a new tenancy, we can check the existing alarms, replace any that are expired or non-compliant, and position them correctly to meet the requirements.

It's one of the most common compliance jobs we do across Wanneroo and the northern suburbs.

Where alarms should be positioned

Correct placement is just as important as the alarm itself. Alarms should be located in hallways outside bedrooms, inside bedrooms where people sleep with doors closed, and on every storey of a multi-storey home. They should be on the ceiling, away from corners, air vents and cooking appliances that cause false alarms.