Just like most other Australian states and Territories, South Australia also requires working smoke alarms to be fitted into every property. Fines up to $750 can be imposed if smoke alarms are not installed, and for rental properties the onus is on landlords to ensure the smoke alarms are working.
The two main pieces of legislation for smoke alarms in South Australia are;
- South Australian ‘Development Regulations 2008’ (under the Development Act 1993)
- ‘Planning, Development and Infrastructure (General) Regulations 2017 (under the Planning, Development and Infrastructure Act 2016).
Regulation 76B of the Development Regulations 2008 and Regulation 95 of the Planning and Development Infrastructure (General) Regulations 2017 specify requirements for smoke alarms in dwellings.
In summary, they mention that;
Existing homes or residential properties built prior to 1 January 1995
A replaceable battery powered smoke alarm may be installed in these premises subject to any future change of ownership conditions.
When an existing house built prior to 1995 is sold, then the owner has 6 months from the date of title transfer to install smoke alarms which are either 240 volt mains powered or have a 10 year life non-removeable lithium battery.
Regulation 76B of the Development Regulations 2008 does not require multiple smoke alarms to be interconnected, unless required by the Building Code of Australia for new additions or extensions to existing dwellings – see also here for guidance.
New houses or residential properties built after 1 January 1995
The Building Code of Australia requires a 240 volt, mains powered smoke alarm that is interconnected.
Further advise on the interconnection of smoke alarms in South Australia is available here.
Legislation in South Australia does not specifically stipulate between ionisation or photoelectric smoke alarms, although the South Australian Metropolitan Fire Service state that interconnected photoelectric smoke alarms provide the best protection across a range of fires.