Which Smoke and Heat Alarms?
Something we get asked regularly is, which type of smoke alarms and what heat detectors do I need to comply with the 2022 Scottish Fire Regulations.
We will summarise exactly what you need to comply with the latest Scottish Fire Regulations and will breakdown where they are required.
Interlinked Alarms
Under the most recent 2022 Scottish Fire Regulations, homeowners and landlords are required to install ‘interlinked’ smoke detectors heat alarms. This means that if one of the smoke alarms are activated, they will sound all of the other smoke alarms and even heat alarms. Likewise if a heat detector detects heat, then it will sounds all of the smoke alarms within the property. This is known as interlinked.
Interlinked Alarm Types
The Scottish Fire Regulations permit two kinds of interlinking.
- Wired (requiring a physical cable to each smoke and heat detector)
- Wireless (requiring a 10 years sealed battery and working on RF Radio Frequency)
Because wireless technology is now advanced and reliable that the regulations permit it, especially when considering the limitations, cost and disruption caused by wired detectors, we supply only wireless detectors.
Carbon Monoxide Detectors
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.
Examples
The amount of detectors you will need will depend on the type and layout of your property.
Example 1
Most single storey properties will require:
2 x RF smoke detectors, (One in hallway, as well as a smoke alarm in the main living room)
1 x RF Heat detector (Required in the kitchen)
1 x carbon monoxide detector , to be placed near any gas, oil or solid fuel burner such as a log or coal burner.
The cost of our bundle for this is £98.98 plus VAT.
Example 2
Most two story properties will require
3 x RF smoke detectors, (One in the downstairs and upstairs hallway, as well as a smoke alarm in the main living room)
1 x RF Heat detector (Required in the kitchen)
1 x carbon monoxide detector , to be placed near any gas, oil or solid fuel burner such as a log or coal burner.
The average cost of our bundle for this is £119.56 plus VAT.
Note: If you have additional floors you will of course require an additional smoke alarm, if you have more than one gas, oil or fuel burning appliance such as log or coal burner then you will require additional carbon monoxide detectors.
You can mix and match a bundle to your requirements by clicking here.
What Do The Regs Say?
Every home must have:
- one smoke alarm in the living room or the room you use most
- one smoke alarm in every hallway and landing
- one heat alarm in the 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.
If an area is open plan, one alarm can cover the whole room provided it can be located where it is no more than 7.5 metres from any point in the room. If your space includes a kitchen area it should be a heat alarm rather than a smoke alarm.