CO Advice, Fire Safety, Social Housing
Legislation surrounding smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in England now applies to socially rented properties, in addition to privately rented homes.
To support landlords in providing the highest standard of protection for residents, we’ve outlined the key changes you should be aware of to comply with the amended Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (England) Regulations from October 1st 2022.
Since the extended regulations have been made law, a smoke alarm must now be installed on each storey of a property. A carbon monoxide (CO) alarm must also be installed in any room with a fixed combustion appliance or when a fixed combustion appliance is fitted. This includes boilers, fire and water heaters, but excludes gas cookers.
Landlords must also repair or replace alarms when notified of a fault, but regular alarm testing will remain the responsibility of the resident. The smoke and CO alarms must comply with BS EN 14604 (Smoke) and EN 50291-1 (CO) and carry a British or European approval mark, such as a Kitemark.
Scotland
Since February 1st, 2022, all Scottish homes are required to have a carbon monoxide alarm in all rooms where there is a fixed combustion appliance (excluding an appliance used solely for cooking) or a flue. In rented properties, landlords are responsible for supplying the alarm. Carbon monoxide alarms must meet the relevant British Standards (EN 50291-1), and must have ‘a sealed battery for the duration of its lifespan’ to prevent tampering or the need for battery changes.
England
The Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (Amendment) Regulations 2022 came into force on October 1st, 2022, in England following debate in the Second Committee for Delegated Legislation on June 20th and approval in the House of Commons on June 21st. These changes require carbon monoxide alarms to be installed in all rented accommodation and new build properties where there is a fixed combustion appliance, excluding gas cookers. Carbon monoxide alarms are also required when a fixed combustion appliance (excluding gas cookers) is first installed in any home. Both private and social sector landlords will have a duty to repair or replace alarms, once informed that they are faulty.
Wales
The Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016 came into effect on 1st December 2022, changing the way all landlords in Wales rent their properties, which under the regulations for Fitness for Human Habitation (FFHH) will require landlords to ensure working carbon monoxide detectors are fitted in their properties where there is any gas appliance, an oil-fired combustion appliance or a solid fuel burning combustion appliance.
Northern Ireland
Carbon monoxide alarms are a mandatory requirement for all homes where a new fossil fuel appliance is installed in Northern Ireland, after a change to The Building Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 came into operation on 31 October 2012. The Private Tenancies Act, which requires carbon monoxide alarms to be installed in privately rented homes and places a duty on landlords to repair them, received Royal Assent on 27 April 2022.
FireAngel Specification includes a mains-powered multi-sensor smoke alarm and enhanced heat alarm, which comply to a Grade D1 category and contain a 10 year Lithium battery back-up.
Complying to a Grade F1 category, the battery-powered multi-sensor smoke alarm and enhanced heat alarm feature a 10 year sealed for life lithium battery.
A battery-powered carbon monoxide alarm, with advanced sensing technology and a 10 year sealed for life lithium battery will also increase protection for residents. By adding FireAngel’s Smart RF Radio Module into each device, either upon initial installation or at a later date, every alarm can be wirelessly interlinked onto a private network.
This provides faster alerts within a property, as when one alarm sounds, they all sound.
As both FireAngel Specification mains and battery-powered devices can be meshed together onto a single network to create a hybrid system, it eliminates the requirement for costly and time consuming channelling or trunking.
The mixed system capability can also be continuously expanded to include additional safety products, as and when required. This delivers cost-effective adaptability that delivers maximum protection, tailored to the requirements of each rental property.
The addition of a Connected Gateway also provides instant visibility of every device across the entire system, without requiring physical access to the properties.
A complete network health check can be achieved with one simple click, creating a printable pdf maintenance report to demonstrate due diligence and compliance, whilst also streamlining the service and maintenance processes.
Designed with installers in mind, the network of easy to install alarms delivers maximum protection for all types of residential properties in a cost efficient and effective way. FireAngel Specification is available nationwide from all wholesale trade outlets.
For more information about carbon monoxide, read our safety blog or view FireAngel’s advanced range of CO alarms. If you would like to discuss in more detail, please contact your local specification manager.
*Please note: The above summary is based on FireAngel’s interpretation of the Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (England) Regulations 2022, always refer to the standard for specific guidance
