Fire safety at home

Fire & Rescue NSW offers a Home Fire Safety Checklist to help people keep their homes safe from fire.

Smoke alarms are required in all existing buildings where people sleep. Most building fire deaths occur while people are asleep and could have been prevented with working smoke alarms and a home escape plan.

Smoke alarms must be installed on every level of a building that has sleeping accommodation, including private homes, units, shop top housing, movable dwellings (excluding tents, campervans, or caravans), boarding houses, B&Bs, Air B&B's, backpacker lodgings, accommodation for the aged, children, and people with disabilities, hostels, and nursing homes.

The alarms must meet the specifications listed in Part 13 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment (Development Certification and Fire Safety) Regulation 2021.

It is the responsibility of the owner of the building to install the smoke alarms.

More information on landlord’s responsibilities is available via the Fire & Rescue NSW website.

Safety Visits

During your Safety Visit, firefighters will come to your home to ensure you have working smoke alarms in proper locations and in good condition. If you do not have one, they will install a long-life battery-powered smoke alarm and replace the batteries in any existing alarms — all at no cost to you. With your permission, they will also walk through your home and property, allowing them to offer personalised fire safety advice tailored to your living space.

Find out more at Fire & Rescue NSW.