Wireless smoke detectors

Reply to Jack Ass 29.08.15 10.25
I understand that the regs are very much what we are talking about here – Hardwired smoke detectors in hallways/landings (so at least 2 in a house) Hardwired heat detector in kitchen and hardwired Carbon Monoxide detector in any room that has a gas appliance in it. All smokes/heats to be linked together, either hardwired, or “wireless”, so that they all activate together. I don’t know if it is possible for all CO detectors to be linked together, but separate from smokes/heats – I’m about to find out in my 3 properties! Hope this helps.

Having read the various posts on this topic I would like to clarify a few points.
BS5266 is the British Standard for emergency lighting.
BS5839 is the British Standard for fire alarm of which there are many sections. The standard for sleeping accommodation is BS5839 Pt 6 2013, this also refers back to various parts of BS5839 pt 1 2013.
The relevant part of pt6 2013 is dependent on what type of property and size of building and the nature of occupancy. It is not just a case of battery, mains and or wireless connections!
Documents obtained from BSI for a price.
LACORS documents are the document often used by the local authorities

http://www.woking.gov.uk/planning/envhealthservice/housing/hmo/goodqualaccomm/lacorshousingfiresafetyguidance (many other gov sites have links and useful info

The most important documents are the “Regularity Reform Fire Order” RRO – which also has many parts depending on what area one requires as to which document is selected. There is one specific to sleeping accommodation.

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/fire-safety-law-and-guidance-documents-for-business
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/fire-safety-risk-assessment-sleeping-accommodation

Hope this will help. Be careful, it’s a mine field and many council chaps do not know the subject well and give you their interpretation. Often best to consult with your local Fire Prevention Officer at the Fire Brigade.

Important to note: Electricians know and understand electrical regulations, most do not know the regs pertaining to fire alarm BS standards and types and levels of protection etc, but can fix and connect.

Reply to the comment left by “Graeme ” at “29/08/2015 – 10:40“:

“…hardwired Carbon Monoxide detector in any room that has a gas appliance in it.”

For England this is not quite correct.

Scotland requires a CO detector in any room where an appliance burns a carbon-based (gas, oil, coal) fuel but England only requires a CO detector in a room that has a solid-fuel burning appliance in it.

Bizarre but true.

I have two rental terraced houses. I am aware that the regulations have changed or are changing to ensure that landlords fit fire/smoke and CO alarms to all rental properties.

I have already done this years ago, however I am unclear as to whether these alarms have to be hardwired. It was my impression that the long-life battery type (7-10 years) will suffice.

Please, can anyone confirm if it is hardwired units only – or is that just for HMOs?

As the long-life battery type are widely available for house owners and are perfectly reliable why should they not be suitable for rental properties?

Also, if there is a gas hob/cooker in the kitchen, is it a requirement to fit a CO alarm in the kitchen? At present mine are only installed in rooms with gas log-effect fires and next to the boiler.

Have the new regulations been published – if so where?

My local fire service website page concerning Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm Key Questions states the following:

“The regulations do not stipulate the type of alarm (hard wired or battery powered) to be installed. Landlords should make an informed decision and choose the best alarm for their property and tenants. All smoke alarms on sale in the UK must have CE marking under the European Constructions Products Regulation.”

So, it seems that hard-wired alarms are NOT a requirement.

Problem is that each council have their own “guidelines”, and if they send you a notice to hard wire smoke alarms with back up battery rather than only battery, then if you refuse then they could issue you with a formal enforcement notice, thus stopping you from issuing section 21 notice due to retaliatory eviction.
So WE NEED SOME REAL HELP HERE ON WHAT WE SHOULD DO.

The government sites I’ve been on for information are next to useless so is it any wonder councils make up their own guidelines?

It is a matter of common using sense when regulations are ambiguous. Most disconcerting {landlord] clients we have insist on installing hard wire smoke/heat detection and carbon monoxide detectors.
One of the reasons is that in certain parts of the SW there have been many fatalities caused by carbon monoxide.
In addition Fire Officers have praised the detection systems installed in certain properties that enabled prompt reaction from their service thus saving lives and reducing property damage [particularly third-party]. Maybe being in the ‘right’ can be expensive if insurers [and HSE] disagree in the event of a fatality.

A useful document issued by the “Fire Industry Association” – Fact File 72 just issued August 3rd, advises on the latest regs for Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (England) Regulations
Go to http://www.fia.uk.com/resourceLibrary/searchResults/?q= and search for fact File 72.

If unable to find, email me and I will send a copy.
[email protected]

Reply to John Dunt 03.09.2015 13.39

Thanks for your suggestion about Fact File 72. I have found/printed it with no problem.
From my perspective, it is quite concise and clear in what it says, and completely relevant to my properties.
Fortunately I already have hard-wired/interlinked smokes/heats in my properties except one, which basically leaves me to deal with CO detectors. It would appear that they do not have to be hardwired so long as the in-built battery lasts the lifetime of the actual detector (usually several years).
Thanks again.