New rules on home fire and smoke alarms

We would like to hear your views as a homeowner on the new requirements that your home should have interlinked fire and smoke alarms installed.

This was originally voted into law in February 2019 with a deadline for compliance by February 2021.

In October, as a result of public concern about a lack of awareness of this requirement, the Scottish Government said that it would seek to extend the deadline by a further year to 1st February 2022.

Age Scotland believes that the deadline should be extended by two years and that more support is made available to homeowners who may struggle financially and practically to comply with this law change.

Your views, concerns and experiences will inform our work on this issue.

The requirement for homeowners is to have:

- 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.

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* 1. Are you aware of this requirement for homeowners?

Yes

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* 2. If you are aware of this, have you taken any action?

Yes, I have had interlinked fire and smoke alarms installed

Yes, I will have these interlinked fire and smoke alarms installed soon

No, I have done nothing about this yet

Interlinked alarms were already installed before I moved in (homes built since 2018 were required to already have this system installed)

Other (please specify)

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* 3. When did you become aware that the rules for home fire and smoke alarms were changing?

Around February 2019, when the rules were voted through

Before October 2020

In October 2020, when the press started talking about the change in rules

In October 2020, as a result of a marketing leaflet through the door

This is the first I have heard of it

Other (please specify)

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* 4. Have you managed to get more information on the rule changes and what you need to do to comply, if you needed it?

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* 5. In your opinion, have you had enough time to comply with the new requirements?

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* 6. If you have had a quote for installing these new alarms, would you mind telling us about your experience?

The Scottish Government has estimated that the average cost of buying the alarms and installing them yourself in a three-bedroom home should be around £200 and that it would cost a bit more if someone else installs them for you. How does this compare with your experience?

New rules on home fire and smoke alarms

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* 1. Are you aware of this requirement for homeowners?

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* 2. If you are aware of this, have you taken any action?

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* 3. When did you become aware that the rules for home fire and smoke alarms were changing?

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* 4. Have you managed to get more information on the rule changes and what you need to do to comply, if you needed it?

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* 5. In your opinion, have you had enough time to comply with the new requirements?

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* 7. Do you have any further views or concerns on this subject that you would like to share with us?