Fire & CO Alarms ●From previous page
stand-by supply. The back-up supply can be from a rechargeable Lithium battery or alkaline battery. Interlinking the alarms is necessary under
these two documents. Interlinking alarms provides an earlier warning for residents and the best chance of escape. When one alarm goes off, all the other alarms on the system activate – and there’s little chance of the occupant sleeping through that noise! Categories are the level of protection afforded by the Smoke Alarm system. The categories range from High (Category LD1) through to Minimum (Category LD3) protection. Building (Scotland) Regulations insists on a Category minimum of LD2, whilst BS 5839-6 will permit LD2 or LD3 depending on the type of property. LD3 requires at least one mains powered Smoke Alarm in every circulation space on each storey (i.e. hallways and landings). LD2 involves a further mains powered Smoke Alarm in the principal habitable room (commonly the living room) and in every access room serving an inner room, plus a Heat Alarm is the kitchen. The types of alarms to be used are also at a
variance. There are three types of single sensor alarms – Optical, Heat and Ionisation – plus Multi-Sensors. BS 5839-6 does not specify which to use, although does recommend alarms with tamper proof batteries for rented
accommodation. Building (Scotland) Regulations recommends Optical and Multi-Sensor Alarms. With the change to the legislation, we now
have uniformity in Scotland, with the same rules applying to everyone.
What Are The New Requirements For Smoke Alarms in Scotland? The good news is the Category of protection has been raised to LD2, which provides medium rather than minimum protection. As mentioned above, this means: ●Smoke Alarms in rooms frequently used by occupants for general daytime living, such as a living room
●At least one Smoke Alarm per floor ●A Smoke Alarm in every circulation space, e.g. hallways and landings
●A Heat Alarm in every kitchen ●Carbon Monoxide Alarms where there is a fuel burning appliance or a flue Less positively, the Grade of alarm has been
extended to allow both Grades D and F. Just to recap, Grade D means mains powered alarms,
Landlords and homeowners have two years
to meet the new standard, but installing alarms at the earliest opportunity will clearly provide improved fire safety for residents.
each with an integral stand-by supply (from a rechargeable Lithium or alkaline battery). Grade F is battery only powered alarms. The new legislation stipulates sealed long-life battery alarms with a maximum lifespan of ten years. As before, all alarms must be interlinked.
Interlinking can be achieved through hardwiring or by using wireless interconnection technology, such as Aico’s SmartLINK.
What Happens Next? In the private rental sector this essentially means no change as private landlords should already be complying via The Repairing Standard. In the social housing sector, the Scottish Social Housing Standard has been updated to reflect these changes. For privately owned properties, rented out or owner occupied, this legislation is now a minimum standard for safe houses, is a
requirement by home insurance companies and forms part of any Home Report. Local Authorities are able to use their statutory powers to require owners to carry out work on substandard housing. Landlords and homeowners have two years to meet the new standard, but installing alarms at the earliest opportunity will clearly provide improved fire safety for residents. The approach taken by the Scottish
Government is a sensible one in terms of both clarity and protection. What difference should tenure make to the level of protection provided? Is it right that someone renting in the private sector in theory benefits more than someone living in social housing? Scotland has led the way here, and we can only hope the other nations take note.
aico.co.uk
20 | electrical wholesalerMarch 2019
ewnews.co.uk
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