Do you legally NEED a fire alarm in a communal hallways?

[Latinorapida]

I live in a Victorian building which is split into three flats. We each have one floor. Ground floor has their own front door but me (first floor) and neighbour (second floor flat) share a front building door and communal hallway.

He’s saying that he thinks we need to get a fire alarm put in the communal hallway and that he thinks we need to do so legally. Is this true? I’ve got 3 fire alarms in my flat and I’m on the first floor.

Thank you!

Not sure you legally have to although definitely not my area of expertise. Definitely seems the sensible option though, do you not want one or just pondering on the legalities?

I think I would want an alarm to let me know of a possible fire on the stairs or common hallway. Otherwise the first indication would be when the fire is hot enough/Smokey enough to come into your flat and set off your alarms, if your personal flat door is a fire door, which it should be, this could be too late.

I don’t know the legal requirements but that is what I would feel comfortable with.

Building regulations are pretty stringent these days. Which is a good thing. Check with your local building regs authority and they will be able to tell you.

Any non-compliance with building regs could (probably would) invalidate your insurance.

Legally a fire risk assessment has to be done and that will tell you what work needs doing to cover the current legal requirements for your building.

Legal or not, I'd have one. For £4 why would you?

managing agents for flat in London (converted building) mentioned a few years ago there was some news legislation and we may need fire alarms and strip lighting, all mains wired. Commissioned a health and safety company to do an assessment. We didn’t need them to comply with law.

They are worth it though. Posted through Letter box fire and you wouldn’t know. Wiring fault ditto. For the sake of a few £££, why not? We have one in the entrance hall and stairwell that serves two flats in a Victorian conversion. And carbon monoxide alarm in the flat too!