Electricians called to install smoke alarms across Queensland

The Palaszczuk Government is calling on licensed electricians across the state to attend information sessions ahead of tenders being called for its smoke alarm installation project in public housing homes.

Minister for Housing and Public Works Mick de Brenni said more than 300,000 new smoke alarms would 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 de Brenni said.

“The next step is to take the program statewide, so starting in late February we’ll be looking for qualified local electrical contractors to install the smoke alarms, which should take no more than one day per home.”

The government has set aside $73 million to install the new smoke alarms.

 “This project has meant we’ve been able to significantly reduce costs for the supply of photoelectric smoke alarms, which is great news for Queenslanders,” Mr de Brenni said.

“And our tenants can be confident that their homes are protected by smoke alarms that meet the requirements of our new, safer smoke alarm laws introduced in Queensland on 1 January 2017, which will be phased in over the next 10 years.”

Mr de Brenni 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.

“The whole reason we introduced the Buy Queensland procurement policy is to make sure we can give priority to local businesses where possible,” Mr de Brenni said.

“For this project, we want local electricians to have every chance to win this work, so when we assess the tenders we will be including a weighting that prioritises local electricians.

“The Master Electricians Association will help deliver the briefing sessions, each of which will run for about an hour and include and time for questions.

“And in delivering this program, we’ve given paramount consideration to matters of electrical safety for workers installing the alarms, which the briefing will also outline.

“You’ll also be able to learn more about how Buy Queensland now prioritises local businesses when tendering for local contracts.”

Tenders to install the smoke alarms will be released to the market in late February 2018 and close in early April 2018.

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

Mr 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.

“Interconnecting smoke alarms reduce the risk for residents – when one alarm goes off, all of them do, giving residents the best chance of hearing the alarm and escaping.

“The alarms must be photoelectric, interconnected, hard-wired or powered by a non-removable battery capable of powering the smoke alarm for 10 years.

“As Queensland’s largest landlord, we want to make sure our tenants also have that protection.

“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.  

Upcoming briefing sessions will be held at:

• 30 January, 9am: Cairns - Building and Asset Services Office, 31-33 Grove St
• 30 January, 10am: Biloela – Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, 98-102 State Farm Rd
• 30 January, 2pm: Townsville - Building and Asset Services Office, 9-15 Langton St, Garbutt
• 30 January, 3pm: Cannon Hill - Building and Asset Services Office, 45 Barrack Rd
• 30 January, 3pm: Gladstone – Gladstone City Library, 39 Goondoon St
• 30 January, 4pm: Roma - Building and Asset Services Office, 62 Arthur St
• 31 January, 8am: Gympie - Building and Asset Services Office, 8-10 King St
• 31 January, 9.30am: Atherton - Building and Asset Services Office, Atherton Depot, 20 Albrecht St, Tolga
• 31 January, 1.30pm: Innisfail - Building and Asset Services Office, 6 Laurie St
• 31 January, 3pm: Cannon Hill - Building and Asset Services Office, 45 Barrack Rd
• 31 January, 4pm: Charleville - Building and Asset Services Office, 46 Edward St
• 31 January, 4pm: Mackay – Souths Leagues Club, 181 Milton St
• 1 February, 8am: Kingaroy - Building and Asset Services Office, 51 Prince St
• 1 February, 12pm: Proserpine – Proserpine Community Centre, 36 Gardenia St
• 1 February, 3pm: Cannon Hill - Building and Asset Services Office, 45 Barrack Rd
• 2 February, 3pm: Cannon Hill - Building and Asset Services Office, 45 Barrack Rd
• 5 February, 2.30pm: Robina - Building and Asset Services Office, Level 3 Eastside Building, 232 Robina Town Centre
• 5 February, 3pm: Longreach – Department of Mines and Resources, 10357 Landsborough Highway
• 6 February, 10am: Barcaldine – Barcaldine Regional Council Office, 71 Ash St
• 7 February, 8am: Maryborough - Building and Asset Services Office, 44 Ariadne St
• 7 February, 1pm: Bundaberg - Building and Asset Services Office, 85 Dr Mays Rd
• 7 February, 4pm: Emerald – Emerald Government Offices, 99 Hospital Rd
• 8 February, 3.30pm: Thursday Island - Building and Asset Services Office, 44 Victoria Parade
• 9 February, 2pm: Caboolture - Building and Asset Services Office, 14-28 Lee St

ENDS

24 January, 2018.

Media contact: Cat Milton: 0410 644 113