If you currently own a property, rent out a property, or you manage rented properties on behalf of a landlord in Scotland, then it’s absolutely vital that you have a working knowledge of the various fire safety equipment that has to be installed in these properties, as well as other fire safety regulations that apply to you.
The legislation surrounding domestic fire safety in Scotland is due to change in February 2022.
With this in mind, getting a head start and updating the relevant fire safety equipment in the accommodation that you own is the best way to ensure that you or your tenants are properly protected from fire risks.
So, to learn more about how to keep domestic properties safe and legally compliant, read this guide.
Fire alarms/smoke detectors
The new legislation for fire and smoke alarms states that each home should have the following:
- A smoke alarm in the living room (or any room which is frequently used for daytime living purposes), as well as in circulation spaces on each storey, like hallways and landings
- A heat alarm should be installed in the kitchen or any other area of the home where there are cooking appliances
- All the alarms must be ceiling mounted and interlinked
- A carbon monoxide alarm must be installed in any area of the home where there are fixed combustion appliances, like boilers, open fires or wood burners. This appliance does not need to be linked (although recommended) to the other fire alarms, but it must have a sealed battery for the duration of its operational lifespan, which may be up to 10 years
To ensure that all smoke/heat/monoxide detectors in a building are in proper working order at all times throughout a tenancy period, they should be tested and inspected regularly.
What types of housing will this new legislation cover?
It’s important to note that all types of housing will be covered by this new legislation, so regardless of whether you own, rent out a house or a flat, this new legislation will apply to you.
It will be the responsibility of you, the property owner, to meet the standard and ensure that the relevant equipment has been installed. However, it will be up to local authorities to ensure this legislation is enforced.
What types of alarms should I have installed in the property?
When it comes to complying with the new legislation, there are two types of alarms that you can choose from. These are:
- Tamper-proof, long-life lithium battery alarms. These can be fitted by you, tenant or fire contractor and probably the easiest/quickest option in most cases.
- Mains-wired alarms. These alarms are cheaper than the aforementioned battery alarms, but they should be installed by a competent contractor in accordance with BS 5839-6:2019 (Grade F1, Category LD2 equivalent).
While mains-wired alarms may be cheaper, you have to bear in mind that they could come with surface run cables and/or extra decorating work to the walls and ceilings which could offset the cost.
You should ensure that the alarms installed clearly display compliance with BS EN 14604:2005 for smoke alarms, BS 5446-2:2003 for heat alarms and BS EN 50291 – 1&2:2010 for carbon monoxide alarms.
You also want to make sure that the smoke and heat alarms in question are capable of being interlinked.
As mentioned earlier, it is recommended you consult a competent contractor capable of installing the detectors in accordance with the recommendations of BS 5839-6.
At Asco, we’re well versed in all things fire alarms and have sourced compliant smoke, heat and CO detectors (with associated mobile app if required) to prepare for this legislation change.
Asco provide a full range of services for Glasgow, Edinburgh, Midlothian, Duns, Forfar, Ardrossan, Aberdeen and the surrounding region.
Asco is Scotland’s leading fire safety provider.
Whether you’re looking for fire alarms, fire extinguishers, or even just some advice on how you could improve the fire safety rating of your building, all you have to do is get in touch.
Our knowledgeable team would be happy to answer any questions you might have.
