What's needed to become a fire alarm tester?

This is clearly one of the big rip offs of property investing, having a guy come out to your property, push the test button and charge you $99 for the 72 seconds of work.

So I'm thinking what would it take for me to do the same? Is all I need an ABN and then try and convince the PM to hire me for $88 instead of the other guy for $99?

You could easily do 20 houses in a day, even if there's a bit of driving involved.

 

Fire Detection, Alarm and Warning Systems

 

On top of all of the stuff you don't get paid to do - like the book lurning stuff for your apprenticeship/Cert IV, business development (running around to each agency/self-promotion), running your car/business, insurances including professional indemnity insurance and more.

 

It's not a rip off, it's the best money a Lessor could ever spend - outsourcing your fire compliance obligations in a residential rental for less than $100/year - which includes unlimited call outs, free batteries, some even do free smoke alarms. I exclusively use Smoke Alarm Solutions for my rent roll - $79/yr package is what we find to be best value for money. The slightly more expensive ones can also include compliance checking of blind cords as well as RCD testing. The last thing a PM or Lessor should be doing is taking on this unnecessary burden and risk, with that said, if you do, you want make sure you have a good insurance policy in place in case you stuff up and the place burns down and the authorities come knocking on your door..

 

PERFECTLY SAID AND TOTALLY AGREE.

 

We recently had the inspector come around to the house we're renting. He was here for a lot more than 72 seconds. I suspect when you count travel time & cost, cost of running a business, insurance, and so on, it probably isn't easy money.

Also consider what happens if one of the contracted properties does have a fire and the smoke alarm fails? That's a serious problem for the inspection company even if they're not at fault.

 

For NSW, it is on the Owner to make sure the Smoke Alarm is functioning prior to a new tenant is moving in. After a tenant moves in, it is their responsibility for maintenance.

@spludgey I think the fire safety thing is a rort as well. Its all scare tactics along with the curtain chains.

But most people don't want to bother understanding - its too hard and would rather outsource.

For me, I just change it to a brand new 10 year lithium battery operated every time a new tenant comes in. On the ingoing condition report, it is noted the smoke alarm is working (as tested by myself and property manager in accordance with the instructions supplied by the manufacturer).

 

No rebate or commission received by the managing agency

 

I quizzed my PM and he said they get no kickback. I think he said that it is a requirement of their insurance that they contact owners and either get the owner to sign up to the service, or sign a waiver and accept responsibility themselves.

 

Confirming the above- there is absolutely no kickback involved from any Smoke Alarm companies that I'm aware of.

It is widely considered best practice to use these compliance agencies for a variety of reasons. It's easy, efficient and most importantly, transfers the risk away from you to trained professionals.

 

Its a scam and im glad SA isnt part of it

 

WA

A licensed electrical contractor is required to disconnect or install mains powered smoke alarms. All other smoke alarm maintenance does not require a licensed electrical contractor.

 

So, there is no requirement for the routine maintenance and inspection to be done by a ‘fire alarm testing specialist’.

 

And you will have to find and pay for professional indemnity insurance.
Marg

 

I have never understood the angst in getting smoke alarms regularly maintained in rental properties.
Your charging someone $300- $500+++ a week to use it .
Different states have different rules.
To go slightly off topic , we bought an IP in N.S.W in 2009, one of the first things to get done was RCDs fitted , although at the time it was not required by law in N.S.W, but it was in W.A.
But it was a no brainer for me.
But back to smoke alarms , many of the early smoke alarms that were fitted were of the wrong type, that were very poor at early detection of smouldering fires, which are common in houses and apartments.Some states have banned them , others haven't.
The new type of 10 year battery operated smoke detectors still have one major flaw,they can be physically removed by anyone, unlike a hard wired system.
But are great in situations where you have a concrete slab above and still have at least one hard wired setup.
Many were also fitted in the wrong areas of the house which caused false alarms or in areas where smoke bypassed,so were ineffective , many never even had the date of installation written on them .
The original owner had long since moved on, and with it the paperwork or memory of the installation date.

 

That is not correct at all.

When you flick the hard wired alarm to the side all have a Quick release. They all have that function for battery back up. That's it done. No more alarm.

It's as quick as a battery operated.

Go to bunnungs have a look.

 

You'd need to be a qualified electrician for anything hard wired, or have one on call, you'd need to know all the legislation around the location of each alarm and what's required for the build date of the property/whether substantial renovations were undertaken, I also imagine the insurance premiums would be huge as you're effectively saying that you're guaranteeing the alarms as working as of X date. That alone to me is a huge risk and it's why I don't have anything to do with smoke alarms, but will mention if I think something is "off" with the location or age of an alarm to an owner.