How much does it cost to install smoke alarms? [2024]

What type of smoke alarm should you purchase and how much does smoke alarm installation cost? Here's everything you need to know about smoke alarms to keep you and your family safe. Find out about:

• Why do you need a smoke alarm?
• How much do smoke alarms cost?
• How to choose a smoke alarm
• Features to look for in smoke alarms
• State laws regarding smoke alarms
• How much does it cost to install smoke alarms?

Why do you need a smoke alarm?

As the name implies, a smoke alarm is a device that alerts you when smoke or a fire is present. A smoke alarm can save lives by alerting you to a fire, allowing your family a way to escape the house in an emergency.

More than 60 Australians die in house fires each year and the risk of dying can be 60% higher if you don't have a smoke alarm. Most fires are caused by unattended cooking and electrical malfunctions, but fires can start for many reasons.

Smoke alarms can save lives, but it's important to choose the right type of smoke alarm for your home. Once installed, you must also check it regularly.

How much do smoke alarms cost?

Smoke alarms are affordable to buy. The cost depends on the type of smoke alarm you buy and how many features it has. Averages smoke alarm costs are between:

• $10–$50 for ionisation smoke alarms
• $18–$100 for photoelectric smoke alarms
• $40–$60 for dual sensor smoke alarms
• Under $30 for a Wi-Fi smoke alarm with a lithium battery, or up to $60 if it has an escape light

Ionisation smoke alarms

Ionisation alarms contain a small amount of radioactive material (not enough to affect health). They work by detecting particles emitted in a fire, rather than smoke or heat. They are best at detecting fires that break out quickly and don't emit much smoke, but are less quick to detect smoky fires.

Photoelectric smoke alarms

Photoelectric alarms use a photocell and light beams directed away from the device. They detect smoke when some of the light is scattered by smoke particles, triggering the alarm. The drawback of photoelectric alarms is that dust and even insects may sometimes trigger an alarm.

Dual sensor smoke alarms

Dual sensor alarms include both ionisation and photoelectric capabilities. This means they have the benefits and drawbacks of both systems, so should not be installed in bathrooms or kitchens because of the likelihood of false alarms.

Carbon monoxide alarms

If you have gas heating, it's also a good idea to install a carbon monoxide alarm. These alarms only detect carbon monoxide, which is a waste product of gas heating. If a ducted or unflued gas heater develops a fault, dangerous levels of carbon monoxide can build up in a house and the alarm can alert you to the danger.

How to choose a smoke alarm

As you can see, not all smoke alarms are alike and some are better in certain rooms or situations than others. For this reason, it's best to install more than one type of smoke alarm in your home.

• Use an alarm that detects heat in the kitchen and others that detect smoke or changes in air particles in other rooms.
• Photoelectric alarms may be the best choice, because most fires are accompanied by smoke and smoulder before they start to spread. In most cases, photoelectric alarms detect smoke in 3 to 5 minutes, giving you enough warning to evacuate the house.
• Ionisation alarms can take up to 20 minutes to respond. A fire may be too advanced by then to allow a family to evacuate.

Features to look for in smoke alarms

Aside from choosing the right types of smoke alarms, many alarms also have features that make using them easier and safer.

Less expensive smoke alarms have standard batteries, which have to be changed at least once a year. They also come equipped with buttons to test the alarm, but you have to get on a ladder to test the alarm and you may not remember to test it as frequently as you should.

Newer smoke alarms have features that allow you to easily test the alarm and many have longer lasting batteries. For example:

• Lithium batteries can last up to 10 years
• Some smoke alarms can be tested and turned off with a remote control unit
• Any unit should have a battery test unit installed which will beep when the battery is low
• Some units have escape lights installed. These can be handy if there is a power failure in a fire, because the light can guide you out of the house
• Mains-powered smoke alarms are more expensive to install, but battery failure will not be an issue
• Some smoke alarms are interconnected, so if one goes on, all of them go on

Read more about how to change the battery in a smoke alarm.

If you have a hearing problem, some smoke alarms can issue a louder noise. One type vibrates and has a strobe light to alert hearing impaired people to a fire. Another device can be installed that alerts you to a fire, a door knocking, phones ringing and other sounds that a hearing-impaired person may not be able to detect. These products are available from the Independent Living Centre, or your local fire brigade may be able to tell you where to find them.

State laws regarding smoke alarms

Smoke alarms are required in every state in Australia, but these requirements can vary:

• In NSW, one smoke alarm is mandatory for each level of a house or per apartment.
• Since January of 2017, Queensland requires photoelectric smoke alarms with lithium batteries or mains connected alarms. From 2022, interconnected smoke alarms are required in all rental properties.
• Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia and the Northern Territory require at least one smoke alarm in every house.
• In Tasmania, all homes built or renovated since 1997 must have one mains powered or lithium battery smoke alarm, including rental units.
• In the ACT, all homes built or renovated since 1997 must have a mains connected smoke alarm, with photoelectric alarms recommended.

Find out more about legislation at Smoke Alarms Australia.

It is recommended to replace smoke alarms at least every ten years. Like most consumer products, they may lose their efficiency over time.

How much does it cost to install smoke alarms?

If you have a battery-operated smoke alarm, you can usually install it DIY. If you're installing mains powered smoke alarms though, an electrician will have to install them for you. This will require wiring and installation.

Electricians or smoke alarm installers may charge by the hour or a flat rate. Expect to pay:

• Between $45–$60 per hour (labour only)
• From $140–$170 to install 1 smoke alarm
• Around $310 to install 2 smoke alarms

Your installer will be able to suggest how many smoke alarms are needed. They may recommend a heat sensing alarm for the kitchen and a carbon monoxide alarm if you have gas heating, though you will need to supply these. If they are supplying the smoke alarms, make sure they are good quality.

*Costs and prices in this article are indicative and should only be used as a guide. They also vary locally and are subject to market forces.