Everything Queensland Homeowners
Need to Know About Interconnected Smoke Alarms
Interconnected smoke alarms are becoming the new safety standard across Queensland homes — and for good reason. A single alarm on its own may detect smoke in one room, but it won’t wake the rest of the house. When alarms are interconnected, one sounds, they all sound, giving every occupant the earliest possible warning.
Early detection is critical. Most fatal house fires occur at night, and research shows that children, heavy sleepers, and even healthy adults may not wake to a single alarm. Interconnection eliminates that risk.
Upgrading now gives you:
Stronger protection for your family
A future-proof home that meets legislation
Peace of mind when selling or renting
A compliance certificate to show buyers
This page explains the standard, placement rules, risks of doing nothing, and how PCA ensures every alarm is installed safely and correctly
Queensland’s New
Smoke Alarm Standard Explained
By 1 January 2027, every Queensland home must meet the 2022 Smoke Alarm Standard. These reforms were introduced to reduce the tragic consequences of preventable house fires and ensure all homes are upgraded to the safest technology available.
To comply, every Queensland home must have:
Features
Correct Placement Is Everything
Placement is the most misunderstood — and most important — part of smoke alarm safety.
This is why PCA installs according to airflow, distance rules, ceiling structure and environmental factors — not guesswork.
OUR REVIEWS
Trusted by Property Professionals
Join the growing network of agencies who rely on PCA to manage smoke alarm compliance. Our track record speaks for itself, with long-term relationships built on reliability, professionalism, and transparent communication.
We recently transitioned to Property Compliance Australia (PCA), and I have to say, the process was incredibly smooth and easy.
One of the standout features is how seamlessly it syncs with Property Tree, making managing properties and compliance tasks so much more efficient. The platform is intuitive, reliable, and a real time-saver.
I would highly recommend Property Compliance Australia to anyone looking for a professional, streamlined compliance solution.
Ella Ashton
Property Manager
Travers Gray Real Estate
After going through numerous smoke alarm companies and constantly running into issues, we finally found PCA — and they’ve been nothing short of amazing.
Their service and online portal make everything so simple and stress-free. We never have to worry, as they have everything under control. This is especially important to us, given how critical safety is for our clients.
Working with PCA has been seamless, and I highly recommend them to anyone looking for a reliable, professional smoke alarm company.
Tara Bowen
Senior Property Manager
Harcourts Adelaide Hills
Working with Property Compliance Australia has been an excellent experience.
The transition was seamless, and we knew right away we were in safe hands. Their friendly team, easy-to-use system, and smooth integration have made everything hassle-free for our tenants, landlords and our Property Management Team.
We felt confident from day one and highly recommend PCA to anyone thinking about making the switch!
Kasey Evers
Office Manager
Century 21 Khan Realty
We’ve had a very positive experience with PCA – can’t recommend them highly enough. The whole team is responsive and supportive, and the process to change suppliers was a breeze.
Their management platform is easy to use and I particularly like the auto email prompt to add a new property, in just on click.
Nick in particular has been outstanding and we’ll continue to work with PCA for our property management portfolio. Keep up the great work guys!
Kimberly Castle
Owner & Director Property Management
AM Property Agency
Integrating Property Compliance Australia with our PropertyMe platform has been one of the most efficient decisions we’ve made.
The system delivers high-quality, photo-based compliance reports that give us and our landlords complete confidence in the property’s safety status.
Automated reminders ensure nothing slips through the cracks, and best of all, it requires minimal hands-on involvement from our Property Managers.
Kym Cheney
Head of Residential Property Management
Taplin
Working with Property Compliance Australia has been an absolute pleasure. Their team is professional, responsive, and genuinely committed to helping real estate businesses stay on top of their smoke alarm compliance.
They take the stress out of managing safety obligations, ensuring every property is fully compliant and inspected on time.
Their streamlined systems, clear communication, and proactive approach make them a trusted partner we can always rely on.
Jo Greening
Business Owner / Operations Manager
Harcourts Living
Not a General Sparky
Why You Should Use
a Specialist
Most electricians install many things. PCA installs one thing, and one thing only — smoke alarms, to the highest safety and compliance standard.
Every technician is accountable for the alarms they install, and every upgrade includes a full compliance certificate — something general sparkies do not provide.
The Roles
How PCA + Homeowners Work Together
Keeping a home safe and compliant is a shared responsibility — and PCA supports homeowners every step of the way.
The smoke alarms’ role:
The technology itself is designed to detect danger early — but only when installed correctly, interconnected properly, and maintained. Safety is a team effort, and PCA makes the process simple and dependable.
The Risks of Staying Outdated
What Happens If You Don’t Upgrade
Homes that have not upgraded by 1 January 2027 may face:
Safety risks
Late detection during a fire dramatically increases danger.
Insurance complications
Some insurers may deny claims if required safety standards were not met.
Sale delays
Properties may be unable to settle until they are fully upgraded.
Compliance breaches
Non-compliance may affect rental eligibility and record-keeping requirements.
Unexpected costs
Upgrading in a rush — especially during 2026 peak demand — may mean delays and higher costs.
Upgrading now ensures your home meets the standard with time to spare, with PCA handling everything in one visit.
Give Your Family Peace of Mind
A Safe Home Is a Happy Home
Upgrading to interconnected smoke alarms isn’t just about legislation — it’s about protecting the people you care about most.
Once your home is upgraded:
Your family sleeps safer
Your home is compliant for future sale
You gain confidence that alarms will perform when needed
You have documentation for insurance, rental, and settlement
You know your alarms meet the highest standard Queensland requires
Behind every compliant home is a PCA technician who takes safety seriously and installs every alarm with care, accuracy and accountability.
