Defect type
High · 3–4/5
No Smoke Alarm Inside Each Bedroom (Post-2014 Build)
I inspected a dwelling approved or significantly altered after 1 May 2014 and found smoke alarms in hallways only - none fitted inside any bedroom. For builds of this era I reference NCC 3.7.5.3 on alarm placement, and the absence of an in-bedroom detector concerns me because closed bedroom doors at night materially delay occupant warning.
Causes
- Builder followed outdated pre-2014 placement standards during construction
- Bedroom added during a renovation without extending the alarm layout
- Alarm previously fitted in the bedroom was removed and the base plate painted over
Symptoms to look for
- Hallway alarm present but no alarm visible inside any bedroom
- Ceiling patch or paint ring indicating a removed alarm base
- New bedroom converted from a study or garage with no alarm retrofit
Remedies
- Install an interconnected photoelectric alarm on the ceiling of each bedroom
- Tie the new alarm into the existing hardwired or wireless loop
- Confirm placement satisfies minimum 300mm clearance from walls and light fittings
Critical
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