New Fire and Smoke Alarm Legislation

Wed 22nd Sep 2021

As an AICO contractor if you have any questions about the new legislation or require a price we are happy to help.

Every home in Scotland must have interlinked fire alarms by February 2022.

The new standard requires:

1. one smoke alarm installed in the room most frequently used for general daytime living purposes
2. one smoke alarm in every circulation space on each storey, such as hallways and landings
3. one heat alarm installed in every kitchen
4. All alarms should be ceiling mounted and interlinked.
5. Where there is a carbon-fuelled appliance (such as boilers, fires (including open fires) and heaters) or a flue, a carbon monoxide detector is also required which does not need to be linked to the fire alarms.

The new standard applies to all homes

It will be the property owner’s responsibility to meet the new standard, however, the legal duty to enforce the standard rests with local authorities. Where owners are unable to meet the standard, it is not a criminal offence.

There are two types of alarms that comply with the new standard:

1. tamper proof long-life lithium battery alarms, which can be fitted by householders themselves - provides a system of interconnected battery-powered detectors
2. mains-wired alarms, which are cheaper than tamper proof long-life battery alarms, but should be installed by a qualified electrician in accordance with BS7671.