1.2 Million Homes in Queensland Do Not Have Compliant Smoke Alarms

ABC North Qld

Topic: House Fires

Monday, 18 May 2026, at 7:33 am

Brandon Lewis lost everything in a house fire in 2014.

In short:

A company says 1.2 million homes in Queensland are not following smoke alarm rules. This is because many homes do not have the correct alarms.

Electricians think there may be a shortage of supplies and workers as people try to meet the new rules.

What's next?

Homeowners have seven months to put in compliant smoke alarms.

Brandon Lewis still remembers the day his house caught fire over a decade ago.

When Mr. Lewis got to his house, it was on fire. He said it did not feel real.

His neighbors heard the smoke alarms and told him about the fire.

Since then, Mr. Lewis has worked to ensure no one else goes through the same thing by installing smoke alarms.

He said the fire was caused by an electrical problem, and this is always on his mind when working.

With new smoke alarm laws coming, Mr. Lewis is worried many homes are not ready.

Mr. Lewis thinks many homeowners do not know about the new smoke alarm rules.

From January 1, 2027, all homes must have interconnected, photoelectric smoke alarms in every bedroom and hallway.

These changes were first introduced for rental homes but will now apply to all homes.

A company estimates 70 to 80 percent of homes do not meet the new standards, which means 1.2 million homes need to be upgraded.

Every home in Queensland will need these new smoke alarms by January 1, 2027.

The national sales manager of a company said the task is significant, and time is running out.

People think they are following the rules because they have one or two alarms, but this is not enough.

The new rules were introduced to improve fire safety after a house fire killed 11 people in 2011.

The rules were introduced in stages, and the final stage applies to all homes that are not yet following the rules.

A fire department superintendent said the new alarms will save lives by giving people an early warning.

A house fire in 2011 killed 11 people, and the new rules aim to prevent such tragedies.

The superintendent said the early warning from the new alarms gives people time to escape safely.

He also said there will be an education campaign to inform people about the new rules.

The superintendent believes the new alarms are the best way to save lives.

There are fears of a shortage of supplies and workers to install the new alarms.

An electrician said many homeowners only find out about the new rules when they are selling their homes.

The looming deadline is causing concerns about whether there are enough workers and supplies.

The cost of the new alarms is a major concern for many homeowners.

Upgrading to the new alarms can cost $800 to $1,000 for a four-bedroom home.

A company representative advised against installing cheaper alarms that may not meet the standards.

She said safety and lives are not areas to try to save money on.

The Insurance Council of Australia said most home insurance policies require owners to take steps to prevent damage.

If a homeowner makes a claim for fire damage, the insurer may check if the lack of compliant alarms contributed to the fire.

Mr. Lewis's message to Queenslanders is clear.

He said the fire could happen to anyone.

Monday, 18 May 2026, at 7:33 am