Any electricians in the house?

[13m]

We've got some small 2-bed rented houses that we need to put smoke detectors into. I am getting different answers from our regular electricians about what is required.

One is saying they must be mains and interlinked. The other says that stand-along battery ones are all that is required.

Anyone have the definitive answer please?

[R1 Indy]

Battery powered is all that you require for the legislation on rentals.
Unless it's a newish build (from 2000ish on) then it must be mains interconnected.

[13m]

R1 Indy said:

Battery powered is all that you require for the legislation on rentals.
Unless it's a newish build (from 2000ish on) then it must be mains interconnected.

That's the new legislation for mandatory smokes, yes?

If I've read the legislation carbon monoxide sensors are only required in rooms with a solid fuel burning device. Is that your understanding?

[ILoveMondeo]

agreed, battery is fine, one per floor.

Agency tried to rinse me for several hundred quid for a "survey", and £50 a piece for the smoke alarms... checked it out myself and this was all that was needed. £5 a piece jobs from screwfix.

Take some photos for the files, just in case tenants decide to shift them if the cooking keeps setting them off.

[R1 Indy]

I would fit a co2 next to the boiler and kitchen, or any gas appliances. There only a few quid

However saying that, I live in a rental, and the only co2 alarm is in the hallway where there is no gas appliances....


If your really tight, some fire brigades will come and fit Fire angels free of charge.

I only know this as my dad did this (tight bugger).

[Alucidnation]

Mains powered, interlinked battery back up smoke alarms should be fitted if the property is going through a substantial refurbishment.

However, battery powered are perfectly acceptable.

As of October last year, it is a requirement for them to be fitted in rental properties, along with Co2's where required on each floor, and they can also be battery powered or mains.

[dazwalsh]

I would advise on mains powered interlinked, incl heat alarm in kitchen, even if its not a strict legal requirement.

You have a duty of care for your tenants and if they remove the batteries without you knowing you are still responsible for their health and safety. I once had a tenant remove the batteries from the smoke alarms because she, And i quote -"needed them for my sons toy". Stupid woman.

At vwry least fit those fire angels with the integrated battery, that way you avoid the whole removal of batteries thing all together. They have a 10 year lifespan.

[megaphone]

Don't fit CO2 detectors, they're a pain, they go off all the time, real nuisance.

Edited by megaphone on Thursday 11th February 05:59

[mikeiow]

megaphone said:

Don't fit CO2 detectors, they're a pain, they go off all the time, real nuisance.

Edited by megaphone on Thursday 11th February 05:59

Maybe you have CO2 loose!
Seriously - we have a couple and never had a peep (aside from me testing them).

[Pheo]

mikeiow said:

Maybe you have CO2 loose!
Seriously - we have a couple and never had a peep (aside from me testing them).

It's because what you want is a CO detector (carbon monoxide) not a CO2 detector (carbon dioxide)

[jmorgan]

Only time our CO detector went off is when the unit reached end of life (and testing).

[megaphone]

mikeiow said:

megaphone said:

Don't fit CO2 detectors, they're a pain, they go off all the time, real nuisance.

Edited by megaphone on Thursday 11th February 05:59

Maybe you have CO2 loose!
Seriously - we have a couple and never had a peep (aside from me testing them).

Mine go of all of the time, maybe it's something in the air?

Edited by megaphone on Thursday 11th February 13:03

[Vipers]

megaphone said:

Don't fit CO2 detectors, they're a pain, they go off all the time, real nuisance.

Edited by megaphone on Thursday 11th February 05:59

Are you taking the piss? CO (NOT CO2, thats carbon dioxide which we all breath out) CO (Carbon Monoxie) is colourless, odourless, and KILLS.





https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbon_monoxide_pois...

Edited by Vipers on Thursday 11th February 13:08

[Dave_ST220]

Vipers said:

Are you taking the piss? CO (NOT CO2, thats carbon dioxide which we all breath out) CO (Carbon Monoxie) is colourless, odourless, and KILLS.





https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbon_monoxide_pois...

I don't think they were taking the piss, merely pointing out that a CO2 alarm would be waste of time

[Vipers]

Dave_ST220 said:

Vipers said:

Are you taking the piss? CO (NOT CO2, thats carbon dioxide which we all breath out) CO (Carbon Monoxie) is colourless, odourless, and KILLS.





https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbon_monoxide_pois...

I don't think they were taking the piss, merely pointing out that a CO2 alarm would be waste of time

Thank you for that, with some comments on these threads not always to suss out. Just for information, the only place where an alarmed CO2 detector used is in offshore diving, where we monitor the chamber atmosphere on a continuous basis for amongst other things level of CO2.

[Ganglandboss]

Here's the official guidance for the Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms (England) Regulations 2015:

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploa...

The salient points:

• At least one smoke alarm must be fitted on each floor of any rental property
• A CO alarm must be fitted in any room containing a solid fuel burning appliance
• The landlord must test the alarm on the first day of the tenancy; tenants should take responsibility for their own safety afterwards by testing at regular intervals

Notes:

• The regs do not specify the location of the detectors
• The regs do not specify the type (including mains or battery); the landlord should make an informed decision (in a typical property, you would install one on each landing)
• CO detectors are not required for gas or oil fired appliances, but they are recommended
• HMOs are excluded from some of the regulations, but this is because existing licensing requirements exist

As others have said, hard wired interlinked alarms are requirements on new builds or significant refurbs under the Building Regs. You are not required to bring existing properties up to regs if they were built before the regs came into force.

Personally, I would be happy with battery if fitting mains was a ball-ache. Mains are preferable if possible. Interconnecting them is going to be a pain in most cases unless you are doing a major refurb; radio interlinked detectors is a good idea if this would be a problem.

Edited by Ganglandboss on Thursday 11th February 16:23

[Sunnyone]

Hard wired are required in Scotland, not sure where the op is.

[13m]

Ganglandboss said:

Here's the official guidance for the Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms (England) Regulations 2015:

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploa...

The salient points:

• At least one smoke alarm must be fitted on each floor of any rental property
• A CO alarm must be fitted in any room containing a solid fuel burning appliance
• The landlord must test the alarm on the first day of the tenancy; tenants should take responsibility for their own safety afterwards by testing at regular intervals

Notes:

• The regs do not specify the location of the detectors
• The regs do not specify the type (including mains or battery); the landlord should make an informed decision (in a typical property, you would install one on each landing)
• CO detectors are not required for gas or oil fired appliances, but they are recommended
• HMOs are excluded from some of the regulations, but this is because existing licensing requirements exist

As others have said, hard wired interlinked alarms are requirements on new builds or significant refurbs under the Building Regs. You are not required to bring existing properties up to regs if they were built before the regs came into force.

Personally, I would be happy with battery if fitting mains was a ball-ache. Mains are preferable if possible. Interconnecting them is going to be a pain in most cases unless you are doing a major refurb; radio interlinked detectors is a good idea if this would be a problem.

Edited by Ganglandboss on Thursday 11th February 16:23

Good solid answer there. Thank you.

[Robertj21a]

megaphone said:

Don't fit CO2 detectors, they're a pain, they go off all the time, real nuisance.

Edited by megaphone on Thursday 11th February 05:59

I've had one fitted for some years and check it regularly. It's never gone off at any other time.

[Ganglandboss]

Robertj21a said:

megaphone said:

Don't fit CO2 detectors, they're a pain, they go off all the time, real nuisance.

Edited by megaphone on Thursday 11th February 05:59

I've had one fitted for some years and check it regularly. It's never gone off at any other time.

You've missed part of the thread - CO2 is carbon dioxide, which we all exhale. CO (carbon monoxide) detectors warn us if products of combustion are escaping into a room.