Industry briefing session in Cairns on smoke alarm installation project

Licensed electricians are invited to attend an information session in Cairns next week to find out about the Palaszczuk Government’s smoke alarm installation project in public housing homes.

Minister for Fire and Emergency Services and Member for Barron River Craig Crawford said more than 300,000 new smoke alarms will be installed in almost 65,000 Queensland Government-owned public housing homes by 1 January 2022, supporting about 220 full-time jobs.

“A controlled roll-out has already begun in Cairns, Townsville, Rockhampton, Wide Bay and the greater Brisbane area,” Mr Crawford said.

“We are looking for qualified local electrical contractors to install the smoke alarms – which save lives. We know working smoke alarms play a critical role in letting people know there is a fire and greatly increase the chances of people getting out and getting out quickly."

The government has set aside $73 million to install the new smoke alarms. The project followsthe introduction of new, safer smoke alarm laws in Queensland on 1 January 2017, which will be phased in over the next 10 years.

Mr Crawford said 27 industry briefing sessions will be held across the State to inform local contractors about the new legislation and tenders and how they can get involved through the Buy Queensland procurement strategy.

“Buy Queensland prioritises local businesses that maintain workforces who usually reside within a 125km radius of where the goods or services are to be supplied,” Mr Crawford said.

“This project will support local jobs and we encourage licensed electricians to come along to the sessions and find out how they can be a part of it.

“The Master Electricians Association will assist the department to deliver the session, which will run for about an hour and include time for questions.

“There will be further information about how Buy Queensland now prioritises local businesses when tendering for local contracts.”

Member for Cairns Michael Healy said the Cairns industry briefing session will be held at the Building and Asset Services Cairns office, 31-33 Grove Street, at 9am on Tuesday (30 January).

“Tenders to install the smoke alarms will be released to the market in late February 2018 and close in early April 2018,” Mr Healy said.

“The tender to supply the smoke alarms closed on 30 November and is currently under evaluation.”

Minister for Housing and Public Works Mick de Brenni said smoke alarms would be installed into 3766 public housing homes in Cairns, Townsville, Rockhampton, Wide Bay and the greater Brisbane area by the end of April 2018.

“With the new interconnecting smoke alarms, when one alarm sounds, all alarms sound, giving occupants the greatest chance of escaping a fire,” Mr de Brenni said.

“The alarms must be photoelectric, interconnected, hard-wired or powered by a non-removable battery capable of powering the smoke alarm for 10 years. In the meantime, all public housing homes will retain smoke alarms in line with the previous law while the new smoke alarms are being installed.”

The new laws require residential homes to have a smoke alarm in every bedroom, in hallways leading to bedrooms, and on each storey.

For more information on the smoke alarm laws, go to the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services website, https://www.qld.gov.au/emergency/safety/smoke-alarms.html

All details of briefing sessions and how to register can be found on QTenders. Contractors are reminded they must register their attendance at least 24 hours prior to the session date and time.

ENDS

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