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I live in a townhouse for 16 years so the building is over 17 years old.Recently our smoke alarm started chirping like a canary.It is hard wired to power but has battery also.I spoke to a friend who is a ex fireman and now dabbles in smoke alarm testing.He said try taking out the battery and if it stops replace it BUT seeing the alarm is over 17 years old it should be fully replaced .Now is the body corporate up for the cost of [11×2 alarms] or is it my cost?
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As it’s not wired into a fire panel, it’s your responsibility.
If it’s 17 years old it should be replaced. The manufacturers of these units recommend a 10 year life. You can get one from Bunnings for $35 and have an electrician install it.
Kaindub is spot on. It’s time to replace the alarm. As it is your asset and responsibility, instead of a hard wired alarm, why not get a cheaper battery only alarm that you can install in 1 minute flat?
For the record, last year I had huge issues with a strata committee who refused to maintain a fire alarm connected to a common fire board. After talking at length to NSW Fair Trading and two realtors it was made clear to all that the test for common property ownership and hence responsibility to repair and maintain is connection to a common fire board and not whether an alarm is hard wired or not.
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