Author Topic: New smoke alarm law - Scotland.  (Read 2039 times)

Jocko

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New smoke alarm law - Scotland.
« on: February 01, 2022, 03:47:02 PM »
As of today, all homes in Scotland must have an interlinked smoke alarm system throughout the house whereby if one alarm sounds they all must sound.
For my two-bedroom, two-storey house, I am legally obliged to have a heat alarm in the kitchen, a smoke alarm in the lounge/living room, a smoke alarm at the bottom of the stairs and another at the top of the stairs outside the bedroom.
I don't know what the penalty for ignoring the law is. I have been unable to find that out. However, your insurance coverage may be void if you have a claim and were found not to have a compliant system fitted.
Owners of houses less than 10 years old should already have such a system installed as they have been included in new builds for the past decade.

Lord Voltermore

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Re: New smoke alarm law - Scotland.
« Reply #1 on: February 03, 2022, 12:15:15 PM »
I guess my single one at the top of the stairs needs a rethink then  :o   I'm in England so I dont matter as much. :P 

Do Scotland also require carbon monoxide ones.  Have the councils upgraded all the 'borough schemes'
 .
I need to have a blether with someone about reeking lums  in my wee but and ben.(my mum taught me the local lingo. I was brought up on Oor Wullie and the Broons. My wife hates it when I call her Hen. So I go cockney and call her Ducks)
« Last Edit: February 03, 2022, 12:25:30 PM by Lord Voltermore »
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culzean

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Re: New smoke alarm law - Scotland.
« Reply #2 on: February 03, 2022, 12:51:29 PM »
Our house built in 1997 had hard wired IE linked mains powered ( battery backup ) smoke alarms at top and bottom of stairs which I replaced in 2007 with identical IE ones as  advised in literature with alarms ( 10 years life of the sensor ).  In 2017 I replaced the EI alarms with Kidde ones,  left the wiring between ones on stairs but the one at top of stairs was now a radio one ( actual plug in alarm unit  is the same but the base changes to a radio base ). I then fitted a mains powered Kidde heat alarm in laundry ( took constant power off light fitting ) and radio linked it to the one at top of stairs. So now if any one of them gets triggered they all make a loud noise.... The units designed to last 10 years,  so in 2027 will just buy new plug-in section of alarm.  We have a portable Kidde 7DCO Carbon monoxide alarm - tried it in kitchen and lounge,  the digital display has never moved off '0'ppm - but the green light on unit flashes regularly which tells me it is sniffing the air.
« Last Edit: February 03, 2022, 04:51:24 PM by culzean »
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Jocko

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Re: New smoke alarm law - Scotland.
« Reply #3 on: February 03, 2022, 01:34:06 PM »
Do Scotland also require carbon monoxide ones.
You must have a Carbon Monoxide detector but it does not have to be interlinked with the fire alarm system.

JimSh

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Re: New smoke alarm law - Scotland.
« Reply #4 on: February 03, 2022, 03:46:44 PM »
That's me legal again.
Fitted mine today.
They had been sitting in a box in a bedroom since before Christmas.
I thought there might be a shortage or a price hike around just now.

Jocko

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Re: New smoke alarm law - Scotland.
« Reply #5 on: February 03, 2022, 06:26:52 PM »
I thought there might be a shortage or a price hike around just now.
I bought mine in September considering these very points.

JJazz

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Re: New smoke alarm law - Scotland.
« Reply #6 on: February 03, 2022, 10:48:39 PM »
 I in exile from the nanny state

JamtartJazzman

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Re: New smoke alarm law - Scotland.
« Reply #7 on: February 04, 2022, 05:09:50 PM »

Jocko

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Re: New smoke alarm law - Scotland.
« Reply #8 on: February 04, 2022, 06:46:13 PM »
There is no penalty but your home insurance may be void if you have a claim and the system has not been fitted.

JamtartJazzman

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Re: New smoke alarm law - Scotland.
« Reply #9 on: February 04, 2022, 07:37:09 PM »
So the sensible thing is to check with your insurer?

Lord Voltermore

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Re: New smoke alarm law - Scotland.
« Reply #10 on: February 05, 2022, 09:13:34 AM »
whoops double post
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Lord Voltermore

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Re: New smoke alarm law - Scotland.
« Reply #11 on: February 05, 2022, 09:25:02 AM »
So the sensible thing is to check with your insurer?
i'd have thought the sensible thing is to spend a few quid on the recommended system, even when its not mandatory.
Not only are you sure your insurers will be happy, it could save your life.

Bear in mind if you ask your insurer the minimum precautions you need take to protect your home, (and protect  their liability) they may consider you less careful and  a higher risk.  Premium may not increase immediately but your next renewal may contain a hidden increase, especially for you, above what it might otherwise have been.   And they tend to share such info within the industry so quotes from other companies might also have a hidden hike.   

it may also make them more likely to check and question your precautions in the event of a claim.
  Trust a dog to guard your house  , but not your sandwich

Lord Voltermore

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Re: New smoke alarm law - Scotland.
« Reply #12 on: February 05, 2022, 09:27:53 AM »
Whoops triple post.  I need a few more volts injecting somewhere  :-[   " Igor, start the generator  :o "
« Last Edit: February 05, 2022, 10:21:03 AM by Lord Voltermore »
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Kremmen

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Re: New smoke alarm law - Scotland.
« Reply #13 on: February 05, 2022, 11:16:10 AM »
My insurance broker friend is not so sure about any claim issues as, as he put it, a fire is a fire however it started. No alarm would prevent it.

Maybe if a personal injury claim may have been avoided is my view ?
Let's be careful out there !

olduser1

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Re: New smoke alarm law - Scotland.
« Reply #14 on: February 05, 2022, 11:38:52 AM »
Remember the purpose of Insurance is to take premiums not to pay out claims.

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