CO Advice, Fire Safety, Maintenance, Smart Home

Will your Scottish housing portfolio be compliant by February 2022?

The deadline for housing providers to achieve compliance in line with the updated Scottish Tolerable Standard as part of the Housing (Scotland) Act 1987 is fast approaching.

Under the new guidelines, all households in Scotland (including both private and social housing) must have an interlinked Fire and Smoke alarm system, supported by adequate carbon monoxide (CO) protection where a flue-burning appliance or flue is present, by February 2022.

The new standard requires:

  • One smoke alarm installed in the room most frequently used for general living purposes, such as the living room
  • One smoke alarm installed in every circulation space on each storey, such as hallways and landings
  • One heat alarm installed in every kitchen
  • One carbon monoxide alarm installed where there is a carbon-fuelled appliance, such as a boiler, fire or stove
  • All of the above alarms should be ceiling mounted and interlinked

So, what are the benefits of an interlinked system and what considerations should providers explore when looking to specify new fire and smoke solutions to achieve compliance in line with the new legislation?

Connecting the dots

An interlinked system provides individuals with the earliest possible warning of a potential fire or CO threat, regardless of where they are in a property. When the alarm closest to the potential danger sounds, all of the alarms on the private network activate, mimicking the sound of that particular alarm. For example, if a smoke alarm triggers, all of the CO and heat alarms on the network will replicate the chirp of a smoke alarm.

The interlinking of smoke, heat and CO alarms can be achieved by hardwiring or wirelessly meshing the alarms together on a private network.

Our innovative FireAngel Specification Range also facilitates the interlinking of both mains-powered and battery-powered alarms together to create a hybrid network, which not only helps providers save valuable time and money, but also offers the opportunity for additional safety products to be added to the system at a later date.

 

 

 

 

This enables providers to upgrade the level of fire safety protection they offer their tenants, particularly if an individual’s needs and level of risk changes. It also supports the future proofing of an entire housing portfolio against upcoming legislative updates, as the system can continuously be adapted and upgraded.

Simply by adding a Smart RF Radio Module, up to 50 mains-powered and battery-powered Specification Range smoke, CO and heat alarms can be meshed together on a private network.

Going the extra mile

While our Specification Range supports housing providers throughout Scotland in achieving compliance with the new guidance, it also offers the opportunity for remote real time monitoring across a complete housing stock.

Data from every alarm in each property is wirelessly transmitted via a secure cloud-based gateway to a smart phone or tablet that facilitates professionals in achieving complete traceability by taking a proactive approach to asset management.

In real time, providers can access vital information on each alarm across their portfolio, including its current status, history and overall network health. The enables the adequate application of resources where and when they are required, helping to save both time and money by eliminating the restrictions commonly faced when engineers try to gain physical access to a property.

Through the addition of a Smart RF Radio Module, the system can also be further upgraded through the activation of FireAngel Connected, a cloud-based gateway that features a unique patented algorithm, FireAngel Predict®, to highlight potentially dangerous patterns of behaviour and identify properties that pose a high level of risk from a real fire event.

For more information on how FireAngel can help ensure you and your housing portfolio remain compliant, contact Andy Greenhorn at agreenhorn@fireangeltech.com or call 07795 395 713.

 

*Please note: The above summary is based on FireAngel’s interpretation of the Scottish Tolerable Standard, always refer to the standard for specific guidance