32 Tenant & Residential Engagement


Fire & CO Safety Feature


are likely to inhale CO if it’s present. If installed within a bedroom, this could be at the height of the bedhead.


THE LEGAL LANDSCAPE Understanding the legal framework and relevant standards is crucial for compliance and best practice. In the UK, Building Regulations, British Standards, and specifi c legislation govern fi re and CO alarm installations.


BUILDING REGULATIONS For new builds, extensions, and signifi cant renovations, the Building Regulations are paramount. In England and Wales, this typically means adhering to Approved Document B for fi re safety and Approved Document J for combustion appliances, which includes provisions for CO alarms. Scotland has its own Building Standards Technical Handbooks, and Northern


Ireland operates under the Building Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012, Technical Booklets E and L. T ese documents specify the minimum grade of alarms required, oſt en referencing British Standards.


BRITISH STANDARDS T ese provide the detailed technical specifi cations and best practices. BS 5839-6:2019 is the cornerstone for fi re detection and fi re alarm systems in


domestic premises. It outlines the diff erent grades of alarm systems (e.g., Grade D1, D2, F1, F2), indicating their power supply and interconnection capabilities. It also specifi es diff erent ‘categories’ of protection (e.g., LD1 for maximum protection, LD2 for medium protection, LD3 for minimum protection). It is important to know these classifi cations to specify appropriate systems for varying property risks and regulatory requirements. For instance, new builds or properties undergoing a material change of use typically require higher grades and categories. BS EN 50292 provides guidance on the selection, installation, use, and


maintenance of CO alarms. It reinforces the siting advice mentioned earlier, particularly concerning the proximity to potential CO sources and placement at breathing height.


LEGISLATION FOR LANDLORDS T e Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (England) Regulations 2015 (updated 2022) place specifi c legal duties on landlords. T ey require private and social landlords to install a smoke alarm on every storey of a property used as living accommodation and a CO alarm in any room with a fuel-burning appliance (excluding gas cookers). Alarms must be checked and repaired if found faulty. While primarily aimed at landlords, this legislation sets a benchmark for safety that should be considered in any residential design. Similar regulations exist in Scotland (Housing (Scotland) Act 2014 and associated guidance) and Wales (T e Renting Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Regulations 2022).


A DEFINITIVE DON’T A frequent question asked is whether alarms can be painted. T e unequivocal answer is no. Painting an alarm, even subtly, can severely compromise its functionality for several reasons. If it is a smoke alarm, it is highly likely that paint will enter the smoke


chamber. T is interference can directly damage the internal sensors or cause nuisance alarms. For CO alarms, paint could completely block the necessary openings, rendering the device entirely useless in detecting this deadly gas. Furthermore, alarms are not tested or certifi ed with paint on them. T is


means there’s no guarantee how the device will react or perform in a real world scenario if it’s been painted. Any alteration from its tested state introduces an unknown variable that could compromise its life saving capability. Finally, most alarm manufacturers explicitly state that painting or otherwise


tampering with the alarm will void its warranty. In the event of a system failure, this could have signifi cant implications for liability and replacement.


CONCLUSION Integrating fi re and CO protection is a fundamental aspect of responsible home design. Understanding alarm siting, complying with standards, and following best practices allows for beautiful, functional, and safe homes.


Jennifer Bickford is a marketing executive at Aico Housing Management & Maintenance August/September 2025


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