Interlinked fire alarm safety laws in Scotland
From February 2022, all homeowners in Scotland will be required to have interlinked alarms under legislation brought forward after the Grenfell Tower tragedy in 2017.
Homeowners in Scotland are being prompted to install interlinked heat and smoke alarms before changes to fire safety laws come into effect. These alarms are meant to reduce casualties by alerting everybody in a property to a fire. Most homes will also require a carbon monoxide alarm.
Private rented and new-build homes must already meet these standards, but from February 2022 they will apply to every home in Scotland, regardless of its age or tenure. Once the legislation is in effect, all homes will need to have one smoke alarm in the most frequently used room, one in every circulation space on each storey and a heat alarm in each kitchen. Alarms should be ceiling mounted and interlinked. Where there is a carbon-fuelled appliance, such as a boiler, fire or flue, a carbon monoxide detector is also required, although this does not need to be linked to the fire alarms.
All these alarms can be either long-life sealed and battery operated, or mains-operated. However, mains-operated alarms must be installed by a qualified electrician.
The Scottish Government is providing funding to help eligible older and disabled homeowners with installation, in partnership with Care and Repair Scotland. These funds are being offered in addition to those that have already been provided to the Scottish Fire & Rescue Service for the protection of owner-occupied homes identified as being at highest risk.
Social landlords have been working to ensure that the new alarms are in place, where needed. The Scottish Government has made loan funding available for social landlords ensuring that tenants are safe in their homes.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
Top 50 firms awarded 52bn of projects in the last year
New engineering data shows.
Enhancing construction site reporting efficiency
Through digitisation and the digital revolution.
Noise in the built environment
BSRIA guide TG 20/2021.
17,000 people suffer conditions as a result of exposure to excessive noise at work.
Turning down the noise: Auditory health
A pervasive risk with far-reaching consequences.
UK Construction Week, London is here !
Debuting major international pavilions and much more.
Getting the most out of heat pumps and heating
How heat pumps work and how they work best.
Plumbing and heating for successful retrofit and renovation
Low temperature underfloor systems and heat pumps.
Cost-of-living crisis and home improvement plans
Starting on the right footing and top tips for projects.
Delays on construction projects
Types, mitigation and the acceleration of works.
From Chaucer to Fawlty Towers.
Electrotechnical excellence, now open for entries.
Net zero electricity grids BSRIA guide NZG 5/2024
Outlining the changes needed to transition to net zero.
CIOB Global Student Challenge 2024
Universitas Indonesia wins for second year running.
ECA 2024 Apprentice of the Year Award
Entries open for submission until May 31.