Putting smoke alarms on the spot
Kidde Safety discusses current regulations for smoke and heat alarms and whether they go far enough to maximise safety
alarms to satisfy Building Regulations is a legal requirement for all new-build homes, changes of use and certain alterations. Different regulations and related guidance apply in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. This guidance is not suitable for existing properties where Building Regulations do not apply, because more alarms may be needed in older homes to take into account the poorer construction and other factors.
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England and Wales In England and Wales, the Building Regulations Part B ‘Approved Document’ sets out minimum requirements. For most homes, it recommends professionally installed, mains powered alarms, each with backup power supply, and intercon- nected so that they all sound when one is trig- gered: this is known as ‘Grade D’. To keep costs low while meeting this demand, the latest generation of mains powered smoke alarms have been specifically designed for substantial energy savings and low running costs. For large houses, two or more storeys high, where any floor area is over 200 m2
, a ‘Grade A’ panel
system is needed instead and you should consult a specialist installer. In Wales there is also a requirement for auto-
matic fire suppression systems (sprinklers), in addition to smoke alarms. In terms of the number and locations of alarms, Part B requires smoke alarms in circulation areas within 7.5 metres of every habitable room door and at least one on each floor, plus a heat alarm in kitchens not sep- arated from the stairway or circulation by a door. There is no requirement for smoke alarms in living rooms or bedrooms.
Scotland and Northern Ireland
Regulations in Scotland are more stringent with a smoke alarm in every circulation space on each storey, not more than 7 metres from the door to a living room or kitchen, or 3 metres from every bedroom door. No point within the circulation space should be more than 7.5 metres from the nearest smoke alarm. But in addition there should be a smoke alarm in the
46 selfbuilder & homemaker
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principal living room with no point more than 7.5 metres from an alarm and a heat alarm in every kitchen with no point more than 5.3 metres from an alarm. Northern Ireland Regulations take a similar approach to Scotland. So, should self-builders in England and
Wales go beyond the Part B Regulation minimum requirements for peace of mind? All the national Regulations are based on the
Code of Practice BS 5839-6:2013, although they differ from the Code. Typically, for new houses up to three storeys, the Code recom- mends Category LD2 – now considered the norm for the majority of homes. This means smoke alarms in all escape routes and any areas where fires might start, such as living rooms, plus heat alarms in all kitchens. Without alarms in living rooms, the Code stresses that the evacuation time once fire is detected in the
moke and heat alarms are essential in minimising domestic fire fatalities and injuries. Installation of smoke and heat
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