Smoke Alarm Replacement Gold Coast | 10-Year Rule

Smoke alarm replacement on the Gold Coast means taking out alarms that are too old, the wrong type, or no longer working, and fitting alarms that meet the Queensland rules. A standard replacement is one flat price of $119 per alarm. The visit has a $149 minimum charge.

Replace an alarm within 10 years of the date it was made, or straight away if it does not work when tested. The manufacture date is usually on the back of the alarm. Ionisation alarms do not meet the current Queensland rules and have to be replaced with photoelectric alarms. The full age and type rules are in Queensland smoke alarm laws explained.

When a Replacement Is Due

Three common reasons we replace alarms are age, a failed test, and the wrong sensor. An alarm can still beep and still be past its 10-year life. Age is counted from manufacture, not from the day it was screwed to the ceiling. If you cannot find the date, we can check it on site.

A chirp every 30 to 60 seconds is usually a low battery, not always a dead alarm. In a sealed 10-year alarm the battery cannot be changed, so the alarm itself is replaced. In a 240V alarm the usual cause is the 9V backup battery, which the home owner can change. The sound guide is why is my smoke alarm beeping?

Replacing one expired alarm does not always finish the job. The home still needs the right number of photoelectric alarms, interconnected, in the right rooms. If the other alarms are fine, we only replace the ones that fail. If several are old, doing them together is one visit.

What You Pay

The standard replacement is $119 per alarm. That is the same flat price for a wireless sealed 10-year alarm and for a 240V hardwired alarm that uses a 9V backup battery. The $119 covers supply, fitting, interconnection, testing, removal of the old alarm, and your compliance certificate. GST is included.

One alarm is the $149 minimum charge for the visit. Two or more standard alarms are $119 each. A 240V alarm with a sealed 10-year lithium battery is an optional upgrade at $139, and that one does not need yearly battery changes. Every other charge is on the pricing page, not repeated here.

Hardwired Replacements

If the alarm you are replacing is hardwired to 240V, the replacement in that spot must be hardwired too. You do not have to hardwire the whole house if the other alarms are allowed to be sealed battery alarms. They do have to be interconnected with the hardwired ones, so a smoke detection in one room sounds every alarm.

Only the 240V connection needs a licensed electrician. Sealed 10-year battery alarms do not. Swift holds Queensland Electrical Contractor Licence 88555 and can replace either type on the same visit. We confirm which alarms are which before we start, and we agree the price with you first.

What the Visit Is Like

Book a time online or by phone. You get a reminder before the appointment, and a text with a live map when we are on the way. On site we check every alarm, tell you what needs replacing, and wait for your go-ahead if that differs from the booking. Testing is loud. We warn you so children and pets can be settled. The compliance certificate is with you before we leave, once payment is made.

Hours are Mon-Sat, 7am-7pm. Closed Sunday. We cover the Gold Coast only. If you are a landlord or you are selling, replacement is often tied to a lease or a settlement date. Those rules are on landlords and sellers. If you are not sure the alarms need replacing at all, start with a compliance check.

Replacement or a Full Upgrade

Replacement is the right job when particular alarms are old, faulty, or the wrong type. A full upgrade is the right job when the home is missing alarms in bedrooms, hallways or on a storey, or none of the alarms are interconnected. Both use the same $119 standard alarm price. The difference is how many alarms the home needs, which we count against the location rules. See how many smoke alarms your home needs and QLD smoke alarm upgrades.

You can book online or call 0403 918 413. The home page explains how a Swift visit is booked and confirmed.

Common Questions

When do I have to replace a smoke alarm in Queensland?

Within 10 years of its manufacture date, or immediately if it does not work when tested. Ionisation alarms are replaced with photoelectric alarms. See the Queensland smoke alarm laws.

Is replacement the same price as a new installation?

Yes. A standard alarm is $119, with a $149 minimum charge for the visit. The optional sealed 10-year 240V alarm is $139.

Can I replace a hardwired alarm with a battery alarm?

No. A hardwired alarm must be replaced with a hardwired alarm. Other alarms in the home can be sealed 10-year battery alarms if they are interconnected with it.

Who can replace a 240V smoke alarm?

A licensed electrician. Battery alarms with a sealed 10-year battery do not need an electrician. We can do both.

What if the alarm is only chirping?

A chirp every 30 to 60 seconds is often a low battery. Read why is my smoke alarm beeping? before you book a replacement. A sealed 10-year alarm that chirps for a low battery is replaced, because that battery cannot be changed.

Smoke Alarm Replacement