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NSW residents are being recommended to focus on the number, location and interconnection of smoke alarms and consider installing sprinklers by Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW).

This advice follows three years of extensive research by FRNSW into residential smoke alarms and sprinklers, which revealed that stronger steps are needed to ensure best practice fire safety and fire prevention in homes.

The research outcomes and recommendations signal the biggest shift in fire safety policy since 2006, when legislation mandated the installation of smoke alarms in all existing homes and shared accommodation.

The findings of the two research reports will inform best practice and building code legislation to improve fire safety and reduce the number of fatalities, injuries and damage from residential fires. 

FRNSW recommendations

• Increase the number of working smoke alarms in homes to one per bedroom and living areas (including hallways and stairways) and to have them interconnected

• Install automated fire suppression systems, such as home sprinklers, to significantly improve fire safety in homes.

Current NSW legislation mandates one smoke alarm must be installed on each level of a residential building and residential sprinklers are not compulsory in all dwellings at the moment. 

Residential fire safety tips

• NEVER turn off your smoke alarms

• ALWAYS test your alarms to ensure they are working

• ALWAYS ensure all occupants in a home know what to do if the smoke alarms sound

• ALWAYS ensure all occupants have a practised home escape plan.

For more information, visit www.fire.nsw.gov.au.