CO Advice, Fire Safety
How do I ensure compliance with latest regulations in Northern Ireland?
Understand the smoke, heat and carbon monoxide alarm regulations required for properties in Northern Ireland to achieve compliance.
CO Advice, Fire Safety
We’ve simplified fire and carbon monoxide (CO) legislation for rented, owner-occupied and new build properties in Northern Ireland, helping you meet and go beyond legislative requirements to keep homeowners and tenants safe.
Grade: D1
Grade requirements: A system of one or more mains powered detectors, each with a tamper‑proof standby supply consisting of a battery or batteries (such as FireAngel’s SM-SN-1 and HM-SN-1 alarm).
Category: LD2
Category requirements: A system incorporating detectors in all circulation areas that form part of the escape routes from the premises, and in all specified rooms or areas that present a high fire risk to occupants, including any kitchen and the principal habitable room.
Any fitted smoke alarms should conform to BS EN 14604:2005 and in accordance with BS 5839-6:2019 at sufficient smoke alarms should be installed in a property to give warning in the event a fire is detected. Smoke alarms should be ceiling mounted in a circulation space such as a hall or landing.
Any heat alarms installed in a property should conform to BS 5446-2:2003. Under BS 5839-6:2019, heat alarms should be installed in every kitchen.
Any installed CO alarms should have been manufactured and approved for domestic premises to BS EN 50291-1:2018. Under the Building Regulations (NI) 2012, a CO alarm is required where a new fossil fuel appliance is installed in a property.
CO alarms should be positioned at head height, either on a wall or shelf approximately 1-3 metres away from a potential source of carbon monoxide.
Properties must comply with Northern Ireland Housing Fitness Standard. It applies across all tenures of housing and sets the legal threshold below which no one should be expected to live. To comply with the standard, a home must be:
Grade: D1
Grade requirements: A system of one or more mains powered detectors, each with a tamper‑proof standby supply consisting of a battery or batteries (such as FireAngel’s SM-SN-1 and HM-SN-1 alarm).
Category: LD2
Category requirements: A system incorporating detectors in all circulation areas that form part of the escape routes from the premises, and in all specified rooms or areas that present a high fire risk to occupants, including any kitchen and the principal habitable room.
Any fitted smoke alarms should conform to BS EN 14604:2005 and in accordance with BS 5839-6:2019 and Private Tenancies Act (NI) 2022, sufficient smoke alarms should be installed in a property to give warning in the event a fire is detected. Smoke alarms should be ceiling mounted in a circulation space such as a hall or landing.
Any heat alarms installed in a property should conform to BS 5446-2:2003. Under BS 5839-6:2019 and the Private Tenancies Act (NI) 2022 it is recommended for heat alarms to be installed in every kitchen.
Any installed CO alarms should have been manufactured and approved for domestic premises to BS EN 50291-1:2018. Under the Private Tenancies Act (NI) 2022, sufficient CO alarms should be installed to give warning if levels are present that pose harm to people.
CO alarms should be positioned at head height, either on a wall or shelf approximately 1-3 metres away from a potential source of carbon monoxide.
Properties must comply with Northern Ireland Housing Fitness Standard. It applies across all tenures of housing and sets the legal threshold below which no one should be expected to live. To comply with the standard, a home must be:
Grade: D2
Grade requirements: A system of one or more mains-powered detectors, each with an integral standby supply consisting of a user‑replaceable battery or batteries (such as FireAngel’s SW1-PF-T and HW1-PF-T alarm).
Category: LD2
Category requirements: A system incorporating detectors in all circulation areas that form part of the escape routes from the premises, and in all specified rooms or areas that present a high fire risk to occupants, including any kitchen and the principal habitable room.
Any fitted smoke alarms should conform to BS EN 14604:2005 and in accordance with BS 5839-6:2019, sufficient smoke alarms should be installed in a property to give warning in the event a fire is detected. Smoke alarms should be ceiling mounted in a circulation space such as a hall or landing.
Any heat alarms installed in a property should conform to BS 5446-2:2003. Under BS 5839-6:2019, it is recommended for heat alarms to be installed in every kitchen.
Any installed CO alarms should have been manufactured and approved for domestic premises to BS EN 50291-1:2018. Under the Building Regulations (NI) 2012, CO alarms are required where a new fossil fuel appliance is installed.
CO alarms should be positioned at head height, either on a wall or shelf approximately 1-3 metres away from a potential source of carbon monoxide.
Properties must comply with Northern Ireland Housing Fitness Standard. It applies across all tenures of housing and sets the legal threshold below which no one should be expected to live. To comply with the standard, a home must be:
Grade: D2
Grade requirements: A system of one or more mains-powered detectors, each with an integral standby supply consisting of a user‑replaceable battery or batteries (such as FireAngel’s SW1-PF-T and HW1-PF-T alarm).
Category: LD2
Category requirements: A system incorporating detectors in all circulation areas that form part of the escape routes from the premises, and in all specified rooms or areas that present a high fire risk to occupants, including any kitchen and the principal habitable room.
Any fitted smoke alarms should conform to BS EN 14604:2005 and in accordance with BS 5839-6:2019, sufficient smoke alarms should be installed in a property to give warning in the event a fire is detected. Smoke alarms should be ceiling mounted in a circulation space such as a hall or landing.
Any heat alarms installed in a property should conform to BS 5446-2:2003. Under BS 5839-6:2019 it is recommended for heat alarms to be installed in every kitchen.
Any installed CO alarms should have been manufactured and approved for domestic premises to BS EN 50291-1:2018. Under the Building Regulations (NI) 2012, CO alarms are required where a new fossil fuel appliance is installed.
CO alarms should be positioned at head height, either on a wall or shelf approximately 1-3 metres away from a potential source of carbon monoxide.
Properties must comply with Northern Ireland Housing Fitness Standard. It applies across all tenures of housing and sets the legal threshold below which no one should be expected to live. To comply with the standard, a home must be:
For more information on how to meet and achieve fire safety and CO compliance in a property, visit FireAngel’s Standards & Regs area or contact your local Specification Manager.
