Any electricians in the house?

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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?

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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?

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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.