Frequently Asked
Questions

Queensland legislation requires smoke alarms in every bedroom, in hallways connecting bedrooms to the rest of the home, and on every level of the property. A typical 3-bedroom single-storey home needs 4–5 alarms. Contact us if you’d like help calculating your exact requirements.

Yes, 100%. All ISA alarms are certified to AS3786:2014 — the current Australian standard required under QLD legislation. Older models still being sold may only meet the outdated AS3786:1993 standard, which is no longer sufficient.

All owner-occupied homes must have photoelectric interconnected smoke alarms installed by 1 January 2027. Now is a good time to act early and avoid last-minute cost increases.

Landlords who fail to comply with QLD smoke alarm legislation may face penalties under the Electrical Safety Act 2002 and Building Fire Safety Regulation 2008. More importantly, non-compliance puts tenants at serious risk. The 2022 deadline for rental properties has already passed.

Yes. ISA alarms are suitable for Class 1A dwellings (houses and townhouses) and Class 2 buildings (units and apartments). If you are unsure which model suits your building type, contact us for advice.

No electrician is needed for the 10-year battery wireless model — simply mount the base plate, insert the battery and pair your alarms. The AC 240V mains-powered model does require a licensed electrician, as it connects to your home’s electrical supply.

No. Mains-powered (240V AC) alarms must be replaced with another mains-powered alarm — this requires a licensed electrician. You cannot swap a hardwired alarm for a battery model, as the wiring must be properly capped off.

No. ISA wireless alarms use a paired RF frequency unique to your property. All alarms must be paired to a master alarm during setup, so only alarms in your group will communicate with each other.

No. ISA alarms communicate via RF (radio frequency) directly with each other. No Wi-Fi, no internet connection, and no smart home hub is required.

Check the label on your existing alarm — it should state whether it is ionisation or photoelectric, sometimes shown as ‘I’ or ‘P’. If unclear, ionisation alarms have a bright yellow radiation symbol inside or on the back. QLD legislation requires photoelectric alarms only.

Ionisation alarms detect fast-flaming fires but are slow to detect smouldering fires — the most common and deadly type in homes. Photoelectric alarms detect smouldering fires much earlier and are required under QLD legislation. All ISA alarms are photoelectric.

Smoke alarms must be replaced 10 years from the manufacture date. Check the sticker on the back of your alarm for the manufacture or expiry date. ISA’s 10-year sealed battery models are replaced as a complete unit at end of life.