SMOKE, HEAT & CARBON MONOXIDE (CO) ALARMS
The Law has Changed in Scotland
Are you compliant?
Please read on to determine what you need to do to comply, then contact me for a quotation.
Smoke, heat & co alarms
The Requirements
The Requirements
The Requirements
The Requirements
The Requirements
All Scottish homes must have interlinked alarms (Scottish Government, 2021). Guidance for homeowners on what you need to know.
Every home in Scotland must have interlinked fire alarms. Interlinked means if one goes off, they all go off, so you will always hear an alarm wherever you are in your home. The law has come about because of the Grenfell fire in London in 2017, and it applies to all Scottish homes.
It is the property owner’s responsibility for meeting the new standard.
So, what does this mean for your home?
You must have:
- one smoke alarm installed in the room most frequently used for general daytime living purposes (normally the living room/lounge)
- one smoke alarm in every circulation space on each storey, such as hallways and landings
- one heat alarm installed in every kitchen
All smoke and heat alarms should be mounted on the ceiling and be interlinked.
If you have a carbon-fuelled appliance – like a boiler, fire, heater or flue – in any room, you must also have a carbon monoxide detector in that room, but this does not need to be linked to the fire alarms.
Alarms may be hard-wired, or tamper proof long-life lithium battery powered.
[Scottish Government (2021): https://www.gov.scot/publications/fire-and-smoke-alarms-in-scottish-homes/ ]
The Alarms
All the alarms I install will be manufactured by AICO - not the cheapest but good quality.
The battery smoke and heat alarms need replacing every 10 years and battery CO alarms around 5 years (or as indicated by the alarm label/indicators).
The CO alarms will not be connected to the smoke/heat alarm system. However, for your information, CO alarms can be connected to the smoke and heat alarm system, along with having an alarm controller installed that makes testing the alarms, for example, easy.
Prices
The price I quote you is to:
- supply, install and commission the alarms,
- complete and issue a smoke/heat alarm installation certificate, if requried,
- complete and issue a CO alarm installation certificate, if required.
Please see my T&C's regarding the installation of alarms, found here: https://callmeelectrician.co.uk/terms-%26-conditions-2 - scroll down to the section headed: For Alarms
So, please contact me today, your trustworthy local electrician in Aberdeen, to discuss how I can help you meet this requirement
Alarm power & interconection
The smoke, heat and CO alarms can be mains powered, with a hardwired interconnection between the smoke and heat alarms. The CO alarm can also be linked to the smoke/heat alarms if desired.
Alternatively, the alarms can be battery powered, and interlinked wirelessly.
Or the system can be a mix of both.
Alarm controller
The alarm controller is very handy item, especially if a CO alarm is also connected to the smoke/heat alarm system.
The controller lets you test the alarms from one easy point, without having to reach up to the test buton on each alarm.
You can also locate and silence alarms from the controller.