Alarms That are Meet with Scottish Regulations

Following the Grenfell Tower fire, the Scottish government now requires better fire protection for all homes. As a result, announced in February 2019 and effective February 2022 (postponed from 2021), all homes (whether rented or privately owned) must have interconnected smoke alarms, interconnected heat alarms and carbon monoxide alarms (may not be interconnected). Here’s a further read on Scotland’s latest siren regulations. 

What Kind Of Home Needs A Alarm?

The new requirements apply to all homes in Scotland, regardless of age or property type, whether they are old dwellings or new builds that have been extended or refurbished before or after the new requirements come into force; whether rented or privately owned; as long as they are a house, you must install smoke alarms, heat alarms and carbon monoxide alarms in the room.

How many alarms should I install?

Case 1

If you live in a 3-bedroom, 2-story house, you'll need 2-3 smoke alarms, 1 heat alarm, and 1-2 carbon monoxide alarms. 

2~3 linked smoke alarms:

• Living room (required)
• Stairway (required)
• Ceiling (optional)

1 linked heat alarm:

• Kitchen

1~2 carbon monoxide alarms:

• Any room where you have a carbon-fuelled appliance like a boiler, wood-burning fireplace or flue. This does not need to be linked to the other alarms (required)
• Bedroom (optional)

Case 2

If you live in an apartment with one bedroom, you'll need 2 smoke and 1 heat alarm, and 1 carbon monoxide alarm. 

2 linked smoke alarms:

• Living room
• Ceiling

1 linked heat alarm:

• Kitchen

1 carbon monoxide alarm:

• Any room where you have a carbon-fuelled appliance like a boiler, wood-burning fireplace or flue. This does not need to be linked to the other alarms (required)

Requirements For Alarms

Power: All alarms must be powered by a power source (hard-wired to the circuit, not a power plug) with a battery backup (minimum 10-year battery life), or a tamper-resistant battery that can be used throughout the alarm’s life.

Smoke alarm: must be an interconnected smoke alarm

Heat alarm: must be an interconnected high-temperature alarm

Carbon monoxide alarms: It may not be an interconnected carbon monoxide alarm

How Many Alarms Do I Need And What Type Of Alarms?

• Install interconnected smoke alarms in the most used rooms (living room, bedroom)
• Install interconnected smoke alarms in hallways and landings on each floor
• An interconnected heat alarm must be installed in the kitchen
• Interconnected smoke and heat alarms must be installed in the ceiling
• Carbon monoxide alarms must be installed in places where carbon fuel equipment (heaters, boilers) or flues are installed, and may not be interconnected with other alarms
• It is the owner’s responsibility to ensure that the alarms meet the new standards
• All alarms must be regularly maintained and tested in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions

For more information on how many detectors you need to install in your home or where to install them, click here.

Where Can I Buy Smoke And Carbon Monoxide Alarms That Comply With The Latest Scottish Regulations?

Here are smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms that comply with the latest regulations in Scotland. Among them, carbon monoxide alarms have passed the latest EN 50291-1:2018 standard, and other sets of products that also meet the latest regulations in Scotland are available for purchase.

How Do The Regulations In Scotland Differ From Those In The Rest Of The UK?

It can be said that in the UK, the regulations on alarms in Scotland are the strictest. For example, in England, landlords are required to install at least one smoke detector on each floor, but they may not be interconnected; carbon monoxide detectors are required for rooms with heaters and carbon burning, however, carbon monoxide detectors are not mandatory for rooms that store combustion equipment but do not use in the room. The relatively weak regulations in these areas provide many possibilities for carbon monoxide leaks and fires.

FAQ

Do smoke alarms in Scotland need to be hardwired?

No, there are alternatives to hardwired smoke alarms that comply with the new regulations. In order to comply with the new Scottish law from February 2022, all smoke alarms in Scotland should be either hardwired to the circuit (mains powered) by a backup battery or powered by a tamper-proof battery for life. In short, a built-in battery-based detector. 

Renting a house in Scotland doesn’t have an alarm, what should I do?

Under Scottish law, landlords should install smoke and carbon monoxide alarms under the new rules by February 2022. If a tenant does not see the alarm in the room, the tenant has the right to ask the landlord to install the corresponding alarm. If the landlord insists not to. Installed, the tenant can complain to the landlord to the security association.

Is there a penalty for not installing alarms in Scotland?

Yes. Fines will be imposed if inspected or complained of not having an alarm installed.

Is co alarm mandatory in UK?

Carbon monoxide alarms will be mandatory in UK

According to The Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (England) Regulations 2015, landlords in England are required by law to “provide a carbon monoxide detector (CO alarms) in any room used as living accommodation where solid fuel is used .that means housing providers are required by law to install smoke alarms in all social housing, and carbon monoxide alarms must be fitted in social and private rented properties with fixed appliances such as gas boilers or fires.

Do I need to change my alarm?

How to install the product

WOLF SHIELD pack comes with two wall screws and screw plugs, the unit can be mounted on the wall, After installing the bottom plate, you can use it directly when you put the product on it.