All smoke alarms should be checked once a year. Many smoke alarms when checked have been either faulty, broken, painted over or not in compliance with the relevant standards. All smoke alarms have up to a ten (10) year “use by date” and as such must be replaced when expired.
It is essential that all households in particular a landlord’s responsibility in Victoria to have properly fitted and maintained smoke alarms in each residential property and accomodation places complying with Australian Standards AS 3786-1993.
