Smoke Alarm Services

A Beeping Smoke Alarm is Annoying. A Silent One is Deadly.

In a house fire, you have less than three minutes to escape. Three minutes to wake up, alert your family, and get everyone outside safely. The difference between life and death isn’t luck—it’s a working smoke alarm. That piercing sound you occasionally curse when cooking bacon? It’s the most important sound your home can make. Yet across Perth, thousands of homes sit with expired, disconnected, or incorrectly installed smoke alarms. Every one of them is a tragedy waiting to happen.

Compliance Isn’t Optional. It’s Your Legal Duty.

Western Australian law is clear and uncompromising when it comes to smoke alarms. If you own or rent a property in Perth, you have specific legal obligations that carry real consequences if ignored.

Every residential property built after 1 July 1997 must have hardwired smoke alarms connected to your home’s mains power supply. These aren’t the battery-operated units from the hardware store—they’re professionally installed systems that require a licensed electrician. Properties built before 1997 can use battery-powered alarms, but here’s the catch: they must be less than 10 years old. Check your alarm now. If you can’t find a manufacture date, or if it’s exceeded 10 years, you’re already non-compliant.

While both ionisation and photoelectric smoke alarms meet legal requirements, the Department of Fire and Emergency Services WA strongly recommends photoelectric models. Why? Because photoelectric smoke alarms are significantly better at detecting smouldering fires—the type that kills most people in their sleep. Ionisation alarms might catch a fast-burning fire marginally quicker, but smouldering fires produce the toxic smoke that incapacitates victims before flames ever reach them. When it comes to protecting your family, “legally compliant” shouldn’t be your standard. “Most effective” should be.

Here’s what most Perth homeowners don’t realise: every smoke alarm has an expiry date. After 10 years, the sensors degrade, the components fail, and that alarm on your ceiling becomes nothing more than a plastic ornament. It doesn’t matter if it still beeps when you press the test button. It doesn’t matter if it’s hardwired or battery-powered. After 10 years, it must be replaced. For landlords, this isn’t just about safety—it’s about liability. Install non-compliant alarms, and you’re not just risking lives. You’re risking lawsuits, insurance claims, and criminal charges.

This is a Job for an Electrician, Not a Handyman.

There’s a reason WA smoke alarm regulations require hardwired systems in newer homes. Battery-powered alarms fail. Batteries die, get removed and forgotten, or corrode over time. Hardwired smoke alarms run on your home’s mains power with a battery backup system. Even if there’s a power outage, even if the backup battery is weak, the primary power source keeps your alarms operational. This redundancy isn’t over-engineering—it’s acknowledging that when it comes to fire safety, there’s no margin for error.

When we install hardwired smoke alarms, we don’t just mount individual units. We create an interconnected warning system throughout your property. When one alarm detects smoke, every alarm sounds. A fire starting in the garage triggers alarms in bedrooms, giving your family maximum warning time. This interconnection requires proper electrical wiring, not just wireless signals that can fail or suffer interference.

Strategic Placement Saves Lives

The effectiveness of smoke alarms depends entirely on proper placement. Install them in the wrong locations, and you might as well not have them at all. We position alarms according to scientific principles and Australian Standards:

• Inside every bedroom and sleeping area
• In hallways connected to bedrooms
• On every level of your home
• At the top of stairways (where smoke naturally accumulates)
• Away from air vents, windows, and ceiling fans that disperse smoke
• At least 300mm from walls and light fittings
• Not in kitchens or bathrooms where steam causes false alarms

Don’t Wait for the 3am Chirp. Act Now.

That 3am low-battery chirp isn’t just annoying—it’s your smoke alarm’s cry for help. But by the time it chirps, you’re already at risk. Professional installation and regular testing ensure your alarms work when it matters most. We provide:

• Complete hardwired smoke alarm installation
• Interconnected alarm systems for maximum protection
• 10-year photoelectric alarms (as recommended by DFES WA)
• Compliance certification for rental properties
• Annual testing and maintenance programs
• Emergency call-outs for alarm failures

Your family’s safety isn’t negotiable. Neither should be your smoke alarm system.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the difference between photoelectric and ionisation smoke alarms?

Photoelectric smoke alarms are better at detecting smouldering fires that produce thick smoke and toxic gases - the type that kills most people in house fires. Ionisation alarms respond faster to flaming fires with smaller smoke particles. While both types meet legal requirements, the Department of Fire and Emergency Services WA strongly recommends photoelectric alarms because they provide earlier warning for the most dangerous type of house fires.

How often do smoke alarms need to be replaced?

All smoke alarms must be replaced every 10 years, regardless of whether they’re hardwired or battery-powered. The sensors inside smoke alarms degrade over time and become less reliable. Check the manufacture date on your smoke alarms - if they’re over 10 years old or you can’t find a date, they need immediate replacement. This isn’t just a recommendation; it’s a legal requirement in WA.

Do I need hardwired smoke alarms or are battery-powered ones sufficient?

Properties built after July 1997 must have hardwired smoke alarms connected to mains power with battery backup. Older homes can use battery-powered alarms, but hardwired systems are more reliable because they don’t depend solely on batteries that can die or be removed. Hardwired alarms also allow interconnection, so when one detects smoke, all alarms sound throughout the house.

Where exactly should smoke alarms be installed in my home?

Smoke alarms must be installed inside every bedroom, in hallways leading to bedrooms, and on every level of your home. They should be positioned on the ceiling at least 300mm from walls and light fittings, away from air vents and ceiling fans that could disperse smoke. Avoid installing them in kitchens or bathrooms where steam can cause false alarms.

What happens if my smoke alarms aren’t compliant when I sell or rent my property?

Non-compliant smoke alarms can prevent property sales and rentals from proceeding. Real estate agents are required to check smoke alarm compliance, and settlement can be delayed until proper alarms are installed. For rental properties, landlords face fines and potential liability if tenants are injured due to non-compliant safety equipment. It’s much cheaper to ensure compliance than deal with the legal and financial consequences of non-compliance.

Service Areas for Smoke Alarm Installation

We provide professional smoke alarm installation and testing throughout Perth, with prompt service to Cannington, Victoria Park, Belmont, Welshpool, Kewdale, and Queens Park.

Complete Electrical Safety Solutions

Smoke alarm installation is part of comprehensive home electrical safety:

• RCD Safety Switches - Protect against electric shock with life-saving RCD technology
• Switchboard Upgrades - Modern switchboards provide dedicated circuits for smoke alarm systems
• Electrical Fault Finding - We ensure your electrical system is safe before installing safety devices

Learn More: Read our latest articles on fire safety and compliance requirements for Perth homeowners.

For urgent smoke alarm repairs or installations, our 24/7 emergency electricians can ensure your property’s fire safety isn’t compromised.