New Rules Call For Adequate Fire And Carbon Dioxide Alarms In Homes In The United Kingdom

Under a new law taking effect in February 2022, homes in Scotland must have multiple fire alarms linked by radio frequency, either sealed battery alarms or alarms wired to the electrical system main. Smoke alarms are now required in the living room or most-used room, and also in each hallway or landing. Furthermore, a heat alarm is required in the kitchen. All smoke and heat alarms should be mounted on the ceiling.

Interlinked alarms

In the case of interlinked alarms, if one alarm goes off, the other alarms also go off in tandem. Therefore, interlinked alarms will sound wherever a resident is in the home.

Any home with a carbon-fueled appliance, such as a boiler, fire heater or flue in any room, must have a carbon monoxide detector that is linked into the fire alarms. The law is in response to the 2017 Grenfell Tower fire disaster in London, and it applies to all homes in Scotland.

Sealed battery alarms are tamper-proof units

Sealed battery alarms, both smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms, are tamper-proof units

Sealed battery alarms, both smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms, are tamper-proof units that include lithium-ion batteries and have a lifespan of up to 10 years. Replaceable batteries have been shown to degrade over time and are not allowed.

Sealed battery alarms may be installed by a home owner without requiring an electrician. In contrast, wired alarms are less expensive, but require installation by a qualified electrician.

Landlords need to install alarms in rented accommodations

Landlords are responsible for installing the alarms, in the case of a private tenant. Work is continuing to ensure the requirements are addressed for council or housing association tenants. Older, disabled, or low-income home owners may get help with the costs.

Costs of installing one smoke alarm, one heat alarm and one carbon monoxide detector totals around £220, based on installation of sealed, tamper-proof alarms by the home owner (without employing an electrician).

There are also new requirements for carbon monoxide and smoke alarms to be installed in social housing in the United Kingdom.

Smoke alarms to be fitted in all rented accommodations

The requirements deliver on a commitment to wide-ranging reforms of the social housing sector

New rules require smoke alarms to be fitted in all rented accommodations and carbon monoxide alarms must be fitted in social and privately rented properties containing fixed appliances, such as gas boilers or fires. Costs of installing and maintaining alarms fall to property owners.

The requirements deliver on a commitment to wide-ranging reforms of the social housing sector, in order to drive up the standard, including providing tenants a path to raise concerns and to empower regulators, so that they can take enforcement action.

New regulations will help reduce casualties

The new regulations will help to reduce fire and carbon monoxide casualties and fatalities, and also help to increase protection for those living in both private and social rented homes.

Social and private rented sector landlords are required to repair or replace smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, when they are informed that the alarms are faulty. Testing throughout a tenancy will remain the responsibility of the resident.

Homes fitted with alarms protect residents

Around 20 people die each year from accidental carbon monoxide poisoning and many more people die through house fires. The new rules will prevent tragedy and protect those who are most at risk, by ensuring that more homes are fitted with alarms.