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4 years ago | 17 comments
Smoke alarm required?
10:51 AM, 12th October 2022, 4 years ago
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Hello, I have a flat in a small block which has a wall mounted integral fire alarm system in the communal hallway.
My flat also has a ceiling mounted smoke alarm in the kitchen/dining area. When the last tenant left he said it didn’t work, but I suspect he disconnected it as when he burnt his toast both alarms would go off.
A new tenant is moving in soon and I am wondering if I need the smoke alarm, by law.
It is situated right next to the fire alarm sensor. The flat is all on the same level so only one smoke alarm would be required anyway.
What do you think?
Many thanks,
Helen
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Member Since April 2021 - Comments: 120
11:23 AM, 12th October 2022, About 4 years ago
You need one in the flat even if there is one in the communal hallway. For advice in general see https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/smoke-and-carbon-monoxide-alarms-explanatory-booklet-for-landlords/the-smoke-and-carbon-monoxide-alarm-england-regulations-2015-qa-booklet-for-the-private-rented-sector-landlords-and-tenants
Member Since May 2017 - Comments: 763
11:23 AM, 12th October 2022, About 4 years ago
It may be best to put a heat alarm in the kitchen which, unlike a smoke alarm, tends not to go off when toast is burnt
Member Since June 2014 - Comments: 325
11:36 AM, 15th October 2022, About 4 years ago
You should have a minim of three fire alarms in a typical flat, smoke in hall land main living room and heat in kitchen and they must all be interlinked. And not forgetting a CO alarm where gas boiler / fire.
Member Since July 2013 - Comments: 1264 - Articles: 1
1:47 PM, 15th October 2022, About 4 years ago
You need a smoke alarm on each floor and they do not need to be linked. The communal one is not sufficient. Best place is outside bedroom since sleeping is when a resident is least likely to notice a fire.