Positioning your smoke alarm

You should install a smoke alarm in each sleeping area, hallway and living area. Smoke alarms installed in hallways should be located between the bedrooms and the rest of the house.

Maximum protection can be gained from Australian Standards approved hard-wired (240 volt) inter-connected smoke alarms in all sleeping areas and between the living and sleeping areas in your home. When one alarm operates, all inter-connected alarms operate, alerting occupants throughout the house. A licensed electrician must install hard-wired smoke alarms.

To minimise false alarms avoid installing smoke alarms in kitchens and bathrooms. Where alarms are to be installed close to kitchens or bathrooms choose a photo-electric smoke alarm to minimise false alarms.

Please keep the following points in mind when installing smoke alarms:

Single Level Homes

You should install a smoke alarm in each bedroom, hallway and living area. Smoke alarms installed in hallways should be located between the bedrooms and the rest of the house.

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Sleeping Areas

Ideally smoke alarms should be installed in all sleeping areas.

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Multi Level Homes

If you live in a house with more than one level, install a smoke alarm on the ceiling at the head of the stairway connecting the levels. On those levels where sleeping areas are located additional smoke alarms may be required between the sleeping areas and the path of exit. The best protection is provided when smoke alarms are interconnected.

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