Why 10 years
Queensland law sets a hard 10-year limit from the manufacture date, not the install date. Past that date the alarm can no longer be certified as compliant, whatever the test button says, so the legislation requires a new unit.
How to find your alarm's date
- 01Remove the alarm from its mounting base.
- 02Look on the back or side for a manufacture date or "replace by" date.
- 03Count 10 years forward from the manufacture date: that's the deadline.
- 04No legible date? Treat it as expired and due for replacement.
Replace with the 2027 standard while you're at it
Alarms near 10 years? It's the ideal moment to move to the interconnected photoelectric standard every Queensland home needs by 1 January 2027. Rather than swap one alarm for another standalone unit, upgrade the whole home in one visit: from $160 per alarm, certificate included. Try the estimator.
When to call an electrician
Can't reach it safely, can't read the date, or want the home up to standard? That's us: we'll check every alarm's age, replace what's expired with compliant interconnected photoelectric units, and certify it.