Fire & CO Legislation ●From previous page
identifies that the current system of building regulations and fire safety is not fit for purpose, it acknowledges that the government is in the process of redrafting Approved Document B. The review of Approved Document B is a
positive indication that the government is planning to make advancements in England and Wales’ fire and CO safety, which will hopefully follow the same route as Scotland’s latest legislative changes. This is a necessity to ensure all types of buildings have the same level of effective and appropriate fire safety. Under the new changes to Scotland’s Housing
Act, all homes should have: ●One functioning smoke alarm in the room frequently used by the occupants for daytime living purposes (such as a living room)
●One functioning smoke alarm in every circulation space on every floor, such as hallways and landings
●One heat alarm in every kitchen ●All of these alarms should be ceiling mounted and interlinked
●Carbon monoxide alarms should be fitted where there is a carbon-fuelled appliance or flue The updated regulations also specify that the
smoke and CO alarms can be battery or mains- wired.
Scotland is also making significant strides in
terms of CO safety as it now requires the installation of alarms where a carbon-fuelled appliance or flue is present. England and Wales
are also making advances in terms of CO safety, with the Housing Minister Dominic Raab’s latest review looking to examine existing legislation to evidence whether it remains fit for purpose. Currently, privately rented properties in England and Wales legally require landlords to install a CO alarm, but this is only if a solid fuel burning appliance such as an open fire or wood burner is present. However, privately owned homes and social housing properties do not fall into the same requirements. Scotland’s Housing Act has taken a step
further and required private landlords to install CO alarms in every room where there is any fixed combustion appliance which includes gas boilers. This approach is now being extended to social and privately owned households under the new legislation. As the disparity between Scotland, England
and Wales’ fire and CO protection continues to be brought into the spotlight, contractors and specifiers can ensure they are achieving complete compliance at all times by going above and beyond in the protection they provide. By installing interlinked smoke, heat and CO
alarms in an LD2 system professionals can prepare themselves for any future updates in England and Wales’ legislation, whilst also enhancing occupier safety.
Scotland has reviewed its laws on the installation of smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms, following the Grenfell Tower fire, to provide a higher standard of protection throughout all Scottish homes.
www.fireangel.co.uk
Whilst private landlords across the UK have more recently had stricter fire regulations they must comply to following the 2015
Building Regulations, the legislation regarding social housing has oſten been unclear, with many tenants unsure of their legal rights with regard to fire and CO safety. The aim is for all homes in Scotland to have an increased level of Fire and CO protection by end 2020.
48 | electrical wholesalerSeptember 2018
www.ewnews.co.uk
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