Waverley Council > Building and Development > Fire Safety
Essential Fire Safety Measures
Smoke Alarms
New requirements from 1 May 2006
On 10 March 2006, the NSW Government gazetted new regulations requiring smoke alarms to be installed in existing buildings in which people sleep.
144 people have died in house fires in NSW in the past five years, 60% during sleeping hours. An estimated 670, 000 dwellings in NSW still do not have smoke alarms. Smoke alarms are an effective early-warning device to alert people to the presence of fire so they have more time to escape.
To help save lives, the Environmental Planning and Assessment Amendment (Smoke Alarms) Regulation 2006 will, from 1 May 2006, require owners to install smoke alarms. The regulation outlines what types of buildings will require alarms, the type of alarms required and where they are to be located.
It should also be noted that the new Regulation does not override any other legal requirements regarding the installation of smoke alarms and systems. For example, it does not override a Fire Safety Order (current or future) issued by Council that may require higher standards to be met.
About the new smoke alarm requirements
- Environmental Planning and Assessment Amendment (Smoke Alarms) Regulation 2006 (PDF file)
- Advisory note (PDF file)
- Fact sheet 1: owners of houses residential flats and units (PDF file)
- Fact sheet 2: shared accommodation buildings (PDF file)
Further information
The NSW Fire Brigades website also provides information for the community, including the types of alarms available and their maintenance, and advice for landlords, tenants, the aged and people with hearing impairments. See www.fire.nsw.gov.au.
For all of the latest information about the new NSW smoke alarm requirements, see www.planning.nsw.gov.au and for a full copy of the regulation, see www.legislation.nsw.gov.au.
For further information please phone the Smoke Alarms Help Line on 1300 858 812 or email smoke.alarms@planning.nsw.gov.au.
