New smoke alarm law for Queensland

SEVENTY-FIVE per cent of Queensland residents are unaware new mandatory smoke alarm regulations come into effect on July 1, a survey shows.

Results also showed one in 10 Queensland homes did not have any smoke alarms, according to leading fire protection company Wormald and electronic security company ADT Security which commissioned the survey.

ADT Security general manager Mark Norton said the lack of community awareness and confusion over the new regulations were "very worrying".

Mr Norton said meeting the new regulations was not as simple as installing a smoke alarm.

"The minimum legal requirements depend on the layout, size and sleeping arrangements of each home," he said.

"For example, the regulations require homes with more than one storey to have a smoke alarm on each level and homes with bedrooms not grouped in the one area are required to install a smoke alarm in the hallway or corridor of each separate sleeping area."

He said the survey also showed the majority of Queenslanders believed the new regulations only applied to new buildings, renovations or rental properties.

Survey results also showed only 35 per cent of homes adequately maintained and tested their smoke alarms.

However, he said the survey revealed 88 per cent of Queensland households had at least one smoke alarm installed.