The Real Estate agent is asking me to provide a "certificate of smoke alarm compliance" to complete Form 24 (when selling a property).
I argue no such thing exists, and that anyone can go buy interconnected smoke alarms which are AS 3786:2014 compliant. (Eg from Bunnings). Install following the guidelines, test interconnectivity, then state the property is compliant.
https://www.photoelectricsmokealarms.com.au/are-you-selling-….
check this
do say you dont need just need to self comply, the buyer can pay for a inspector, if not complaint can get a 0.15% discount on price!
Thanks @djones145 !
I've asked REIQ via email the qualifications a person must hold to be a "qualified inspector" (as stated in FAQ19) - for battery powered installations.
https://www.reiq.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/REIQ-Contrac…
yeah also ask your solicitor. want to get this right cause if the buyer finds soemthing wrong they could get a savings!
Note that you (as the seller) only have to ensure they are compliant. You don't have to be qualified to inspect, nor to install.
The BUYER may provide "A qualified inspector of their choosing and at their own cost".
You can reply to the Real Estate that Form 24 does not actually require a certificate of compliance from yourself: Form 24 Section 5 (G) has no mention of a certificate.
electrician.
pls provide a supporting reference
it states the opposite
"Here are some examples of illegal things a dodgy business might try to say or do." —>
—> "Saying a licensed electrician must perform the installation."
(https://www.qld.gov.au/law/your-rights/consumer-rights-compl…)
@rapido: The example in the article was attempting to point out that electricians are not a must when when installing. i.e. an electrician is not needed if smoke alarms with 10 year non-removable batteries are being installed. However, if they are hard wired, then yes, an electrician is required.
Full paragraph below.
Saying a licensed electrician must perform the installation.
There are compliant smoke alarms available (e.g. wireless alarms) which don't need electrical work to be carried out during installation. A licensed electrician will need to be engaged if the installation involves electrical work.
Anyways, the question isn't who can install, It's who can certify.
Which in case, it is a license electrician (or some technicians?).
Examples of Brisbane Electrician's offering the service:
Fallon
Pulse Electrical
As per djones145's link, a seller isn't required to provide a certificate, but must confirm that the house being sold is compliant.
Whether that be through a qualified persons (i.e. certificate) or otherwise.
Getting an electrician to certify is a safer option, unless as a seller, you are 100% confident the system installed is compliant.
Otherwise you run the risk of the buyer getting the final purchase price adjusted in their favour. i.e. cheaper.
Note: Victorian, but when our landlord / rental rules changed. We also had to get a licensed electrician to certify the property.
Did you install the smoke alarms yourself?
I argue no such thing exists
Nice. How did your argument pan out?
So far it's sounding like no recognised qualification is required to certify an installation.
Still waiting to hear back from REIQ legal re "qualified inspector"
The domestic smoke alarm legislation is contained in the Fire and Emergency Services Act 1990 and the Building Fire Safety Regulation.
There are no compliance certificates in the legislation, nor any training packages or ‘licences’ available for anyone to be able to certify that a dwelling meets or does not meet the smoke alarm legislation.
Under the legislation the owner is responsible for ensuring the dwelling is compliant with the legislation and may have an 'agent' perform any work for them. However using an agent (such as an electrician, smoke alarm company etc) does not remove the responsibility of the owner.
An owner is able to utilise consumer protection legislation if they believe work they have contracted out has not been performed appropriately.
Hope this answers your questions.
Regards,
A/Inspector
Manager Compliance and Prosecution Unit
Community Infrastructure Branch
Fire and Rescue Services Directorate
Is it true that we, as a general everyday person are not allowed to run cabling?
If so, then running the interconnecting cable between smoke detectors would be a no no ??
You need to be a licenced cabler to install fixed wiring (i.e. within walls or ceilings) including networking cables.
Most modern interconnect alarms are RF/wireless, and many are 10-year lithium battery operated, therefore no wiring at all and no problems.
If they are mains powered, then while you can buy them, you can't legally install them.
If they are battery powered only, then yes you can install them yourself.