Scotland - rental property smoke alarm requirements?

pinklady21

Hello all
Asking as a landlord in Scotland. I wish to install mains wired interlinked smoke detectors to comply with the current legislation (which I believe is changing to allow battery ones again, but that has not happened yet.)

My understanding from the current regs is that to comply, I need at least one smoke alarm in the main living area and another in the hallway:

https://www.housingandpropertychamber.scot/sites/default/files/hpc/SCOTTISH%20GOVERNMENT%20GUIDANCE%20ON%20SATISFACTORY%20PROVISION%20FOR%20DETECTING%20AND%20WARNING%20OF%20FIRES%20-%20REVISED%20NOV%202016.pdf

Point 7:
7. The revised Domestic Technical Handbook guidance states there should be at least:
• one functioning smoke alarm in the* room which is frequently used by the
occupants for general daytime living purposes,
• one functioning smoke alarm in every circulation space, such as hallways and
landings,
• one heat alarm in every kitchen, and
• all alarms should be interlinked.


I am happy to put in two smoke alarms, one in the hall, and another in the lounge, plus heat detector in the kitchen. The electrician seems to think there need to be two smoke alarms in the hall, as "the smoke alarms cannot be more than 7 metres apart."

It is a long hallway, 11 metres overall, with the lounge at one end.
Question - I can't find any legislation that relates to the distance between smoke alarms in private rented property in Scotland, so I am confused as to where the electrician is getting this info from.
Can anyone help me find it?
Many thanks!

ProDave

The important bit is a smoke detector in the hall must be mo more than 3 metres from a bedroom. If one smoke alarm satisfies that requirement of being no more than 3 metres from every bedroom, you only need 1 in the hall.

pinklady21

Thanks for that - do you know where can I find that bit of the regs please? (the electrician never mentioned that one!)

Rosemary7391

Is it a technical requirement for the alarm interlink rather than a legislative one? Ie the alarms can only be interlinked if they're closer than 7 metres?

pinklady21

Rosemary7391 wrote: »

Is it a technical requirement for the alarm interlink rather than a legislative one? Ie the alarms can only be interlinked if they're closer than 7 metres?

Good point. But according to this link

https://www.firedetectionshop.co.uk/shop-by-brand/fireangel/fireangel-wst-630t-wireless-linked-optical-smoke-alarm/

this model has a 200m range. So probably not that?

uF0n

Just ask the electrician to actually show you the legislation or product manual that stipulates max 7 metre difference. If he can't then he has no justification.