Home safety and security

Interlinked smoke alarms

Because of different standards for fire alarms in different types of home, legislation was introduced in January 2019 which aimed to ensure that everyone in Scotland has the same level of protection whether they own or rent their home.

The standard requires:

• one smoke alarm installed in the room most frequently used for general daytime living purposes
  
• one smoke alarm in every circulation space on each storey, such as hallways and landings
  
• one heat alarm installed in every kitchen
  

All alarms should be ceiling mounted and interlinked. Where there is a carbon-fuelled appliance (such as boilers, fires - including open fires - and heaters) or a flue, a carbon monoxide detector is also required which does not need to be linked to the fire alarms.

The regulations were due to come into force in February 2021, however, in light of difficulties caused by COVID-19, the Scottish Parliament agreed to delay the implementation of this legislation for a period of 12 months to February 2022.

You don't need to wait; installing alarms at the earliest opportunity will provide improved fire safety in your home. Homeowners are responsible for making sure this is done. Tenants should speak to their landlord.

For Telecare clients (Community Alarms), with Smoke/Heat or CO detectors, these are not to be linked into the new system. Instead, they should be treated by any fitter as additional alarms and left alone, ensuring that they still call through to Community  Alarms.

For more information, please visit the Scottish Government website.