Preston’s mix of older weatherboard homes, renovated terraces and newer townhouses can mean altered layouts and missed coverage—our assessment visually confirms smoke alarms are present and sensibly positioned across key living and sleeping areas.
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We visually confirm whether smoke detectors appear to be installed on each accessible level and in key areas associated with sleeping and living spaces, then document what we can see. This matters because missing alarms are often only discovered after move-in, when furniture and family routines are already in place.
We note detector locations relative to bedroom doors, hallways and the typical path of travel at night. Correct placement helps ensure an alarm is audible where it counts, rather than being tucked away in a corner that may not alert occupants quickly.
Where a Preston home has an extension, second storey, or reconfigured internal walls, we check whether the visible alarm locations appear to reflect the current floorplan. Renovations can leave older alarm positions that no longer suit the way smoke may move through the home.
We record visible details such as the alarm type (where identifiable), mounting position, and any obvious issues like physical damage, missing covers, paint overspray, or insecure fixing. These cues can indicate an alarm may not perform as intended and should be reviewed by an appropriate professional.
We pay attention to spaces that are frequently missed in real-world homes—stairwells, upstairs landings, internal access points from garages, and secondary living areas. These zones can be critical in multi-level townhouses and renovated family homes common around Preston.
Your report summarises where alarms were sighted and flags any apparent gaps in coverage based on the accessible layout. We also recommend follow-up actions where needed, such as engaging a qualified electrician or smoke alarm specialist for compliance checks, interconnection, or functional testing.
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Get Smoke Detectors Assessment as part of a comprehensive inspection package
Find answers to the most frequently asked questions about our inspection service.
No. Our Smoke Detectors Assessment is a visual inspection focused on confirming presence and observing placement in accessible areas of the property. We document where alarms are sighted and note any apparent gaps or obvious condition concerns. If you need formal compliance confirmation, interconnection checks, or testing of operation, we recommend engaging a qualified electrician or a specialist smoke alarm service.
We visually inspect accessible internal areas to locate smoke detectors and record their positions in relation to bedrooms, hallways, living areas and levels of the home. We also look for obvious issues such as missing units, poor mounting, damage, or paint overspray. If any areas are locked, obstructed, or not safely accessible at the time, we note that limitation in the report.
Yes. Based on the visible layout and the locations we can confirm, we highlight areas that appear under-covered, such as bedrooms set away from the main hall, upper levels, or secondary living zones. Because this is a visual assessment, our recommendations are practical guidance rather than a formal design or certification. For final placement and compliance requirements, a qualified electrician should confirm.
In Preston, we often see older homes with rear extensions or open-plan renovations where the original alarm location no longer suits the updated layout. Common issues include alarms left near the old hallway while new bedrooms or living spaces sit further back, or multi-level townhouses with inconsistent coverage between floors. Our assessment helps identify these visible mismatches so you can address them early.
The approach is still visual, but the layout matters. In apartments and townhouses, we pay close attention to level changes, stairwells, and the path between bedrooms and living areas, as well as internal access points such as entries from garages (where applicable). We document what we can see within the lot and note any areas that may be managed by owners corporation arrangements if access is restricted.
Still have questions?
Get in TouchACE Building and Pest Inspections provides a clear, location-aware visual assessment that suits Preston’s renovated homes and multi-level townhouses—call 0413 163 187 to arrange your inspection and get a detailed report you can act on.