Speed UP Smoke Alarms by Queensland Fire and Emergency Service

New editions of the two standard Residential Contracts: Are you up to Speed with Smoke Alarms?

On 23 August 2011 a fire erupted at a house in Slacks Creek Queensland. Twenty-three calls were made to the emergency services, but by the time the Queensland Fire and Emergency Service arrived the house was fully engulfed.

The Fire claimed the lives of eleven people, including eight children under the age of eighteen, making it the greatest loss of life in a domestic house fire in Australian history.

The State Coroner made two broad recommendations following a coronial inquest. As a result, on 1 January 2017 the Fire and Emergency Services (Domestic Smoke Alarms) Amendment Act 2016 was introduced to amend the Fire and Emergency Services Act 1990.

The Queensland Law Society and the Real Estate Institute of Queensland prepared new editions of the two standard residential contracts as a result of the commencement of the Act and to reflect changes to the definition of “Compliant Smoke Alarm”.

For existing properties, and properties for sale or lease, it is now a requirement that:

  1. existing smoke alarms manufactured more than ten years ago must be replaced with photoelectric smoke alarms which comply with Australian Standard 3786-2014;
  2. smoke alarms that do not operate when tested must be replaced immediately; and
  3. existing hardwired smoke alarms that need replacement, must be replaced with a hardwired photoelectric smoke alarm.

For best protection, it is recommended that smoke alarms be interconnected and installed in locations as prescribed by the Building Fire Safety Regulation 2008, including:

  1. in each bedroom;
  2. for each story of the dwelling with one or more bedrooms:
    1. in hallways that connect bedrooms and the rest of the dwelling;
    2. if there is no hallway, between the bedroom and other parts of the storey; and
  3. if there are no bedrooms on a storey, at least one smoke alarm must be installed in the most likely path of travel to exit the dwelling.

When purchasing a residential property, Buyers should ensure they are entering into a current edition of the standard contract being either:

  1. Contract for Houses and Residential Land (now 13th edition); or
  2. Contract for Residential Lots in a Community Titles Scheme (now 9th edition).

 

If you have any queries regarding the above, please do not hesitate to contact us at Big Law Solicitors on 07 3112 7998 or email us at [email protected].

How We Can Help

Big Law Lawyers Strathpine offers you the same comprehensive suite of legal services that you would expect to only find in the city.

We are a successful well-established legal practice based in Strathpine, Brisbane. We have earned a reputation for providing trustworthy, practical legal advice to a diverse range of clients, in both Brisbane and regional Queensland.

Things to Read

Stamp Duty Relief for Queensland: What it Means for You

In the event of a change of government, Queensland may have changes coming to the stamp duty landscape, making it more accessible for first-time homebuyers to enter the property market. These updates may be a game-changer, given the continuing rise of house prices. In fact, from January 2023 to March 2024, there has been aRead More »Stamp Duty Relief for Queensland: What it Means for You

Retail Lease Renewals: Understanding Your Options and Obligations

As a retail business owner, understanding the complexities of your lease agreement is crucial for the success and longevity of your business. In Queensland, the Retail Shop Leases Act 1994 (RSL Act) and the Retail Shop Leases Amendment Act 2016 govern the laws applicable to retail shop leases, including those related to lease renewals. UnderstandingRead More »Retail Lease Renewals: Understanding Your Options and Obligations

What is the Process for Removing a Power of Attorney in Queensland

Granting someone power of attorney is a significant legal step, entrusting that person with the authority to make important decisions about your life. However, situations may arise where you find it necessary to revoke this power. For any of a number of reasons, an attorney may not be able to perform their duties adequately, orRead More »What is the Process for Removing a Power of Attorney in Queensland

What Do the Changes to the Property Law Act and the Introduction of a Seller Disclosure Scheme Mean for Buyers and Sellers of Property?

An updated version of Queensland’s Property Law Act (‘the Act) was recently passed into law designed to modernise, improve and streamline the operation of the Act for both buyers and sellers. Key changes to the Act include: introduction of a statutory seller disclosure scheme (Seller Disclosure Scheme) applying to all freehold sales of land; updatedRead More »What Do the Changes to the Property Law Act and the Introduction of a Seller Disclosure Scheme Mean for Buyers and Sellers of Property?

Podcasts to Listen to

Can Stepchildren Contest a Will?

It probably comes as no surprise, that in the context of estate administration, people who may be beneficiaries, or those that think they should be, may want to contest the Will. This can often concern stepchildren. In Queensland, this process is often referred to as a family provision claim. To learn more about this growingRead More »Can Stepchildren Contest a Will?

How can an Executor be removed?

One of the most important aspects of estate planning is of course, making sure you have the right executor. But what happens if things don't work out or circumstances change and you want another executor. In this podcast, Estate Planning Lawyer, Elise Jacques discusses the matter. Elise Jaques Solicitor Make an appointment

What Does the New Property Law Act Mean for Sellers of Property?

In QLD, the Property Law Act 2023 (the Act) passed Parliament on 25 October 2023. The primary objective of the Act is to simplify, streamline and modernise Queensland's property law regime by replacing the Property Law Act 1974 (Qld). But what are the key elements, in particular those that will impact upon sellers of propertyRead More »What Does the New Property Law Act Mean for Sellers of Property?

Avoiding the Estate Planning Risks When Moving into a Retirement Village

In recent years, there has been an exponential increase in the number of retirement villages being built, and of course, the number of people moving into them. In the context of the legalities, there is often an emphasis on the contractual obligations when buying into such a village. But what about the impact on estateRead More »Avoiding the Estate Planning Risks When Moving into a Retirement Village