Types of smoke alarms

Smoke alarms are your first line of defence against fire, alerting you early and giving you precious time to escape. Don’t leave your safety to chance—install, test, and maintain your smoke alarms regularly.

Choosing the right smoke alarm is essential. We recommend mains powered photoelectric smoke alarms as they are better at detecting smouldering fires—a common way home fires start.

Interconnect multiple smoke and heat alarms so they all sound when one detects fire. Mains powered models need to be installed and interconnected by a licensed electrician, but some newer ones connect wirelessly. Homes built after 1 May 2015 must have interconnected alarms.

Installing smoke alarms

Where smoke alarms are installed makes a big difference to how safe you’ll be if a fire starts. Find the best locations to keep you safe.

Only a licensed electrician can connect or disconnect mains powered smoke alarms.
You can search for a licensed electrician using Online Licence Search.
For battery powered smoke alarms, follow the manufacturer's instructions.

Maintaining smoke alarms

Once a month

Check the indicator light

For mains powered alarms, make sure the green light is on to confirm they are connected to mains power.
Check the red light blinks every 40 to 60 seconds for battery operated smoke alarms to ensure the alarm has power.

Test your smoke alarm

Press the test button on the smoke alarm for up to 10 seconds until you hear an alarm sound. Use a broom handle if you cannot reach but be careful you do not damage the smoke alarm.

Every year

Clean your smoke alarms

Use a vacuum cleaner with a soft brush to clean dust and cobwebs.
Spray insect repellent on a cloth and gently wipe around the smoke alarm to keep insects out. Do not spray inside the smoke alarm.

Replace smoke alarm batteries

Replace the battery every year if your alarm uses a 9-volt alkaline battery.
Mains powered alarms also have back-up batteries that may need replacing. If it's a 9-volt alkaline battery, make sure to change it. Check with the manufacturer if you're unsure of the battery type.

Every 10 years

Replace all smoke alarms every 10 years

Smoke alarms do not last forever. Their sensitivity decreases over time, making them unreliable. If you have heat alarms, they need to be changed every 10 years too.

If your smoke alarm beeps or chirps, it needs maintenance or replacement. Don’t ignore it.

Contaminated detection chamber

Dust and cobwebs can make smoke alarms beep by blocking sensors or affecting the battery connections.

Use a vacuum cleaner with a soft brush to clean dust and cobwebs.

10-year lithium battery alarm models

If the alarm is beeping about once a minute with the red light flashing, the lithium battery is depleted and the smoke alarm needs to be replaced.

9-volt alkaline battery alarm models

Battery power is low and replacement is necessary when the red light flashes and the smoke alarm beeps at the same time, about once a minute.

When you replace the battery, press the test button to make sure the alarm works.

Replace the battery once a year for best results.

Mains powered models with a 10-year lithium rechargeable back-up battery

If the alarm beeps every 40 to 60 seconds and the indicator light flashes, the battery back-up is low.

If the green light is also off, it means the alarm is not receiving mains power. First, check and reset the circuit breaker in your home, then check your smoke alarm again. If you’re unsure, contact a licensed electrician.

The alarm may beep after a power outage if the battery is low. Once power is restored, the beeping should stop within 2 hours as the battery recharges. If the beeping continues after 2 hours with the green light on, contact the smoke alarm manufacturer for assistance.

Mains powered models with a 9-volt alkaline back-up battery

Battery replacement is necessary when the smoke alarm beeps and red light flashes at the same time every 40 to 60 seconds. Check the manufacturer’s instructions for the right battery type and use high-quality, long-lasting batteries.

When to replace smoke alarms

If your smoke alarm continues to beep after changing the battery and cleaning it with a vacuum and soft brush, it’s likely faulty or at the end of its life and needs to be replaced.

All smoke alarms and heat alarms must be replaced every 10 years.

Remember, mains powered smoke alarms and heat alarms must be installed and removed by a licensed electrician.

Smoke alarms for the deaf and hard of hearing

There are smoke alarms for people who are deaf or hard of hearing with a flashing light and a vibrating pad that can be placed under the pillow. These activate when the smoke alarm sounds and can be interconnected with standard smoke alarms in different locations within your home. If one of the alarms senses smoke, all alarms will sound, the light will flash and the pad will vibrate.

For more information contact smoke alarm manufacturers.

Smoke alarms for older people and people with disability

It’s a good idea to connect your smoke alarms to a personal alarm system. This allows the monitoring company to respond immediately based on the steps in your fire escape plan.

Stay safe with these steps:

Install a smoke alarm in your bedroom and interconnect it with the other alarms so if one activates, they all activate together.
Keep your bedroom close to an exit, preferably on the ground floor in a multi-level home or multi-storey building.
Keep your bedroom and escape route clear, with good access around your bed and doorways.
Store aids such as glasses, walking frame, or wheelchair close to your bed and make sure you can get through doorways.

Keep a mobile phone and torch beside your bed when you go to sleep.
Leave your keys in deadlocked doors or security screens when you’re at home or place them in easy to reach places.
Consider adding handrails, ramps or tactile ground surface indicators to help you evacuate.
Wear or keep a personal alarm close to the bed while you sleep.
Know how to get down low so you can stay out of the smoke as you evacuate.
Choose an agreed meeting place outside of the home (e.g. letter box, end of driveway) and ensure every occupant of the home knows where this is.
Ensure every occupant knows how to call triple zero (000).

Are you a WA Seniors CardHolder?
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You may be eligible for a Safety and Security Rebate when purchasing mains powered smoke alarms, fire extinguishers, or fire blankets.

Landlords, rentals and short term lets

If you’re renting or hiring your property to others there are smoke alarm laws you need to know about. It is also important for you to understand what role you play in keeping tenants safe.