Smoke Alarm Relocation Disclaimer

Relocation Disclaimer

* The current positioning of one or more smoke alarms fails to meet the requirements of section 3.7.5.5 of the NCC 2019 Building Code of Australia (“BCA”) - Volume Two and as a result, the non-compliant smoke detector(s) in your property must be moved. Please note that when a Smoke Alarm is relocated or replaced, there may be residual damage either from the original installation or resulting from the relocation or replacement of the Smoke Alarm. Our technicians are not professional painters/plasterers but will make reasonable efforts to avoid causing further damage. Damage that may have been caused by the original installation or from the relocation or replacement can vary due to the type of original smoke alarm installed, the size of the cable hole and existing paint coverage and there may be discolouration from the original smoke alarm location or from plastering. If the smoke detector(s) are installed on a concrete ceiling our electrician will use conduit to reposition the smoke detector(s). Where you require repair, a quote for a professional plasterer/painter can be provided upon request. Any such work would be at your own additional cost.

* For additional information on the recommendation to reposition the alarms in the property, please see attached documentation.

Proper Positioning of Smoke Alarms1

Smoke alarms need to be located on (or near) the ceiling for optimum detection of smoke in a fire situation with special care taken to avoid dead air spaces.

A dead air space is an area in which trapped hot air will prevent smoke from reaching the alarm. This space generally occurs at the apex of cathedral ceilings, the corner junction of walls and ceilings and between exposed joists etc. (see diagram 1).

Smoke alarms may be located on the wall in accordance with 3.7.5.5(b). Diagram 1 provides location criteria and the dimensional relationship to building elements and the associated dead air spaces.

Where a smoke alarm is located on the ceiling it must be—

1. a minimum of 300 mm away from the corner junction of the wall and ceiling; and
2. between 500 mm and 1500 mm away from the high point and apexes of the ceiling, if the room has a sloping ceiling.

Where (a) is not possible, the smoke alarm may be installed on the wall, and located a minimum of 300 mm and a maximum of 500 mm off the ceiling at the junction with the wall.

Diagram 1: