What are the new smoke alarm regulations under the building code in New Zealand?
As of 1st November 2023, new smoke alarm legislation came into effect, impacting all new builds and substantially renovated rental properties across New Zealand. A 12-month transition period is in place, with full compliance required by November 2024.
To enhance fire safety, updated regulations under the building code now require:
- Smoke alarms must be either:
- 10-year long-life battery-operated, or
- 240v mains powered and interconnected
- Placement requirements:
- On or near the ceiling
- In every bedroom, living area, hallway, and landing
- On every level of a multi-storey dwelling
- Special kitchen requirement:
- If the kitchen can be closed off by doors, a smoke or heat alarm suitable for kitchen use (as per manufacturer’s guidance) must be installed
- All alarms must have a ‘hush button’
- Interconnection is mandatory:
- All smoke alarms within a household must be connected—if one sounds, they all sound
What Does Interconnected Smoke Alarms Mean?
Interconnected smoke alarms form a linked safety network across the property. This means when one alarm is triggered—say in the kitchen—all other alarms in the house will activate, alerting occupants immediately, even on different floors or rooms.
Interconnection can be achieved:
- Wired (physical cabling between units), or
- Wireless (via RF radio signals)
Why this matter for home owners or property managers?
If you own or manage brand new home or going to substantially renovate your property, then you are required to comply with the new compliance of interlink smoke alarms as per the NZ building code. This new regulations ensures that the occupants are protected with the highest standard of fire safety.
Failure to comply could result in legal penalties or insurance complications in the event of a fire. Your local council will need to check that your building is complying with the new smoke alarm regulation before a Code Compliance Certificate (CCC) is issued.
Here are two excellent interconnected smoke alarms available from Sparky Shop in New Zealand, both designed to meet the new NZ standards for long-life battery-powered wireless interconnect units:
Wireless 10 Year Interconnect Smoke Alarm – ORCA
- Photoelectric sensor – best at sensing smoke from slow smouldering fires
- Ideal for living rooms, hallways and bedrooms
- Test button
- Hush feature
- Long-life built-in lithium battery
- Extra loud warning tone, Low battery warning
- Black colour option is available on request
- Fully compliant with NZ Building Code (Certified to EN14604:2005)
- Meets NZ Government 2016 Rental Housing Legislation, and complies with NZS 4514:2021
- Warranty – 10 Years
Wireless Interlinked Smoke Alarm With 10 Years Battery Life
- Ideal for new homes and renovations, fully compliant with NZS 4514:2021 standards
- Photoelectric with Split-Spectrum
- Advanced split-spectrum technology that reduced 99% of false alarms from vapor and dust
- 10 years battery life (3V CR123A, non-replaceable)
- Link up to 24 units
- TÜV & CE listed, EN 1460
- Remote Control: Test and mute without climbing
- Installation: Adhesive or screw mount (Drill free installation option)
- Coverage: 20–40m² per unit
- TÜV & CE listed, EN 14604 compliant (NZ/AU
- Warranty -10 years battery & 5 years warranty for the smoke alarm
Why This Matters
Reading and understanding the Building Code ensures:
- Full compliance with legal and safety obligations
- Appropriate selection and installation of alarms
- Avoidance of penalties, tenant risk, or insurance issues
