Question: There are no smoke alarms in the common areas of our small 1960s strata building. Can I request smoke alarms be installed and regularly maintained? Are smoke alarms mandatory in common areas, or is this decision up to the owners corporation?
Answer: Nothing is stopping an owner from requesting the installation of smoke alarms.
The owners (strata or lot) are not required to install smoke alarms in the common area until they are ordered to do so by the Regulatory Authority (generally their Local Council).
Firstly, it is a great idea to do so! Nothing is stopping an owner from requesting they be installed.
The caveats that I give for this are:
- Before installation, get advice from your contractor about whether the work is the correct solution to suit a likely fire order if received.
- The installation of new equipment may be classed as ‘building work’, so advice from strata should be sought regarding the legalities.
This post appears in the November 2024 edition of The NSW Strata Magazine.
Rob Broadhead 2020 Fire Protection E: rob.broadhead@2020fire.com.au P: 1300 340 210