Fire and Smoke Alarms, Changes to the Law

The Scottish Government requires that all housing associations in Scotland must meet a new standard for fire safety by February 2021.
Currently, all Association properties have smoke alarms and CO alarms, which are replaced as required or when they reach their 10 year life span, whichever is sooner.  Many properties also have heat alarms in their kitchens.
The new standard requires that every home has:

  • one smoke alarm installed in the room most frequently used for general daytime living purposes (usually a livingroom but could be a bedroom if the occupant is bed bound);

  • 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 to be ceiling mounted; and

  • all smoke and heat alarms to be interlinked.

There is also a requirement for carbon monoxide detectors to be fitted where there is a carbon-fuelled appliance (such as boilers, fires (including open fires), heaters and stoves) or a flue.
The Association has started and completed this work in a number of homes and will be working towards compliance for all homes during 2019/20.
More information can be found on the Scottish Government website:

https://www.gov.scot/publications/fire-and-smoke-alarms-in-scottish-homes/