Eleven people perished three years ago when fire tore through a high set home at Slacks Creek, south of Brisbane. The victims included three women, four teenagers and four children under the agent of 10. Most of the victims were asleep when the fire took hold shortly after midnight. While police ruled the fire was a tragic accident the coroner will this week look at what might be done to prevent a repeat of this horrible event. Specifically, coroner James McDougall has said he’ll consider whether the law should be changed to force all properties to have working smoke alarms at the time they change hands.
The law presently states that all homes and units in Queensland must be fitted with smoke alarms. Homes built before 1 July 1997 must have at least one 9-volt battery-operated smoke alarm with Homes built or significantly renovated after 1 July 1997 requiring a 240-volt (hard-wired) smoke alarm.
The residential contracts used in the vast majority of property transactions across Queensland already include a smoke alarm installation check-box which must be completed by the seller notifying the buyer as to whether or not there is a compliant smoke alarm installed at the property. The coroner will consider whether new laws should be adopted to impose an obligation for a
person selling a property to ensure that smoke alarms are installed before settlement.
For more information about smoke alarms including legislation, types, installation and maintenance please select from the following.
http://www.qfes.qld.gov.au/communitysafety/smokealarms/pdf/QFES-InfoSheet-SALegislation.pdf
http://www.qfes.qld.gov.au/communitysafety/smokealarms/pdf/QFES-InfoSheet-SATypes.pdf
http://www.qfes.qld.gov.au/communitysafety/smokealarms/pdf/QFES-InfoSheet-SAInstall.pdf;
http://www.qfes.qld.gov.au/communitysafety/smokealarms/pdf/QFES-InfoSheet-SAMaintain.pdf
