Why this job needs clarity
Start with what you can observe.
Owners, landlords and renters may ask the same question but have different responsibilities. A generic statement about every room or every model can mislead. The applicable rule depends on the dwelling, its use and the relevant date; check those facts before choosing devices or requesting installation.
Before an attendance
Details that help an inspection.
Record whether the property is rented, owner-occupied or being sold, and where alarms are currently located. Note the kind of dwelling and any known interconnection, without opening or modifying a wired unit yourself. Consult the current Queensland Fire Department guidance for the relevant property and date. If a device is beeping, damaged or missing, follow official advice and inform the responsible owner or manager.
For example, a landlord replacing one damaged alarm should not infer that this single change brings the entire dwelling into compliance. The relevant occupancy, date and existing arrangement matter. Ask the verified installer to assess the property under current official guidance, explain the proposed devices and interconnection, and document what was actually tested.
Compare like with like
What to include in the scope.
Ask an appropriately licensed installer whether the quote covers assessment, supplied devices, installation, testing and documentation. Existing alarm compatibility and the applicable legal requirement should be checked for the specific property. A board or lighting quote does not automatically include alarm work.
Work through the practical job trade-offs
Compare the actual smoke alarms task.
Start with the official Queensland rule for the property and date, then describe the current alarm arrangement without removing a wired device. A rental, owner-occupied home and property being sold may involve different responsibilities or timing. Provide the floor plan or room list only as background for a qualified assessment, not as proof of compliance. If an alarm is damaged, missing or sounding unexpectedly, follow official guidance and contact the responsible owner or manager where applicable. Ask the installer whether its quote includes compatible devices, installation, interconnection, testing and documentation. A photograph of an alarm alone does not establish whether the entire property meets the current requirement.
Check the current Queensland Fire Department material again when the job is being arranged, because occupancy and transaction timing matter. Note whether devices are hardwired or otherwise connected only if that is already known; do not dismantle one to find out. Ask a verified provider to identify the applicable rule, the device and interconnection proposal, testing, and any certificate or documentation actually supplied. An online checklist alone cannot confirm compliance for the whole property.
Your next decision
Ask a licensed electrical contractor about smoke alarms.
Check the current official rule, then describe the property and existing alarms. Ask the eventual installer to confirm the scope and any documentation before approving work.
Queensland smoke-alarm guidance ↗