

Tenants Protection Association (Christchurch) Inc.
Te Tōpū Tiaki-ā-Kainoho
How safe is your home? Fire safety is all about taking precautions.
It is now a legal requirment for rental properties to have smoke alarms. All new or replacement smoke alarms must be long-life photoelectric smoke alarms with a battery life of at least eight years that meet the required product standards, or a hard-wired smoke alarm system.Both landlords and tenants now have responsibilities to keep smoke alarms working. Never damage, remove or disconnect a smoke alarm – that includes removing the batteries.
Long-life photoelectric smoke alarms must meet the product standards required by the regulations, which are:
AS 3786:1993 (Australia) or,
An equivalent such as:
UL217 (USA)
ULCS531 (Canada)
BS5446: Part 1 (United Kingdom)
BS EN 14604 (United Kingdom)
ISO12239 (International).
The standard should be displayed prominently on the packaging and on the alarm. If in doubt, ask the hardware retailer.
A landlord who fails to comply with smoke alarm obligations is committing an unlawful act and may be liable for a penalty of up to $4,000, while a tenant who fails to comply with their responsibilities may be liable for a penalty of up to $3,000.
There must be at least one working smoke alarm:
in each bedroom or within three metres of each bedroom’s door – this applies to any room a person might reasonably sleep in and on each storey or level, even if no-one sleeps there. Also in any rental caravan, sleep-out or similar.
In a boarding house, there must be at least one working smoke alarm:
in each boarding room or within three metres of each boarding room’s door and
on each storey or level even if there is no boarding room there.
(These placement regulations apply to both individual smoke alarms and the sensors in hard-wired smoke alarm systems.)
These are the minimum legal requirements – the New Zealand Fire Service recommends installing a smoke alarm in every bedroom, living area, and hallway.
Smoke alarms work best when mounted on the ceiling or high on a wall. Install them at least 300mm from any corner or wall.
Test smoke alarms each month by pushing the test button with a broom handle to ensure it beeps. If applicable change batteries at least once a year and clean regularly to remove dust and cobwebs.
More information on smoke alarms can be found at https://www.tenancy.govt.nz/maintenance-and-inspections/smoke-alarms
Your escape plan should include:
Tell the fire service the house number, street, nearest intersection, suburb and city. If you have one, give your rural ID number.
Practise the drill regularly. In a fire remember to:
If fighting a very small fire always ensure you have a clear escape route. Never let the fire come between you and safety.
Tenants Protection Association (ChCh) Inc
Te Tōpū Tiaki-ā-Kainoho
Room 3, 301 Tuam Street, Christchurch 8011
Ph.(03) 379-2297
info [at] tpa [dot] org [dot] nz (subject: Enquiry%20from%20Website)