The above information is helpful. Does not the Building Code of Australia make certain provisions relating to substantial renovations? Whilst battery smoke alarms obviously work, I'm concerned that if there is a fire then the insurer, being an insurer, will jump on the fact of a battery only alarm being installed and deny liability, deny the policy.
Hence, it seems to me that having undertaken a substantial renovation (appears not to be defined at law) there is a requirement for hard-wiring, and if not, then caution leads me to having hard-wring anyway due to insurers attempting to deny cover.
Apart from all this, hard-wired alarms are safer as a battery can go flat (hopefully not) and the alarm will work as long as there is power. This means that the dwelling is safer.
So the question is this: is there a mandatory requirement for hard-wiring and is the reno I described above a substantial renovation? In a roof cavity, tiles over, should the alarms be interconnected? TIA.
Hence, it seems to me that having undertaken a substantial renovation (appears not to be defined at law) there is a requirement for hard-wiring, and if not, then caution leads me to having hard-wring anyway due to insurers attempting to deny cover.
Apart from all this, hard-wired alarms are safer as a battery can go flat (hopefully not) and the alarm will work as long as there is power. This means that the dwelling is safer.
So the question is this: is there a mandatory requirement for hard-wiring and is the reno I described above a substantial renovation? In a roof cavity, tiles over, should the alarms be interconnected? TIA.
