All homes in Scotland require interlinked smoke alarms

[ICouldHaveCheckedFirst]

www.gov.scot/publications/fire-and-smoke-alarms-in-scottish-homes/

We weren't aware of this until we got a leaflet through the door from a company wanting to charge us for fitting some, so we checked. The above was posted on the gov.scot website 2 days ago.

Maybe everyone else knows already, but I thought I'd post just in case.

I only found out about this yesterday when a leaflet came through the door.. they arent giving you much notice and it would imagine your house insurance would have a clause linking to this.

We are in the middle of decorating so will need to get something sorted and quick

Got this leaflet too. We live in an old flat and have battery powered ones. No way we can afford this. Is there help for the elderly with this..my mother will need to have this done too. Watch the price for the wireless ones rocket now!

Can anyone who has already done this link the ones they bought if they done it themselves please?

Just lit a piece of paper on fire in a pan to check if mine are interconnected or not! Thankfully yes as could not afford it with covid job loss, no idea how to get a heat alarm to interlink with it though, these came with the house 🤷. This feels like something they should push back, hasn't been well publicised at all and lots must be in the same boat, if mine weren't interlinked would have to put them on an already filling up credit card. I get fire safety is important but given the current circumstances and people losing their jobs some leeway would be good.

Is there help for those on low incomes?
I will buy the battery ones when i get paid next week, as the price will go up rapidly I imagine. Can ayone recommend?

@dementedma, I'd contact your mums local council and see what help us available for her. If she's on pension credit and gets the winter fuel allowance I imagine the alarm will get fitted free.

This is from the Scottish Government FAQs about it:

" Q: Will there be any financial assistance provided to pensioners to help meet the costs of alarm installations?
A: As a general principle, home owners are responsible for the costs of on-going work needed to protect and preserve their own property. As with other housing standards, it will be the responsibility of the homeowner to meet the new fire and carbon monoxide alarm standard. Local authorities have broad discretionary powers to provide advice and assistance to home owners with work needed to look after their homes. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service recently launched their Make the Call campaign which is aimed at carers, family, friends and of those over fifty who are most at risk because of an accidental fire in their home."

www.gov.scot/publications/fire-and-smoke-alarms-in-scottish-homes/

Not much notice and especially difficult for people who may have lost jobs, being on furlough etc - £220 is a lot of money.

We have a small house but even so would need one in the downstairs hallway, living room, upstairs hallway. kitchen plus a carbon monoxide detector for the boiler and the woodburning stove which we never, ever use.

My electrician told me about this when I bought my flat about a year and half ago so I got him to put them in as I needed smoke alarms anyway. I’ve got the radio ones, kitchen, living room and hall. I hadn’t heard anything more about it until a couple of weeks ago. I had started to think my electrician was having me on.

Just checked my house insurance (Axa) and no smoke alarms (any type or technology) are required for it to be valid. I'm tempted to just leave it for now as we are not planning on selling anytime soo. We already have four standard smoke alarms fitted as well as three carbon monoxide alarms. What do you all think?

Buildings Insurance
What your policy covers
What your policy does not cover
5. Fire, smoke, explosion, lightning or earthquake
Loss or damage caused by fire, smoke, explosion, lightning or earthquake.
Important note:
Please remain aware of increased fire risks including: unattended kitchens when you're cooking, chip pans, unattended candles and cigarettes, electric blankets and overloaded plug sockets.
Smoke alarms save many lives and significant amounts of damage. It’s not a requirement of your cover to have a smoke alarm, but if fitted check them regularly to ensure they are still working.

Nicola was asked specifically about this during today's Corona briefing and it sounds like it is going to be delayed. I got the impression for a year.

That's good - we've just spent the best part of three grand ensuring the rental property we have complies with EICR but the electrician didn't mention this at all and I'm fairly sure there isnt a heat alarm in the kitchen.

@prettybird

Nicola was asked specifically about this during today's Corona briefing and it sounds like it is going to be delayed. I got the impression for a year.

@prettybird

Thanks for that.

@prettybird thanks for that. I genuinely don't see how they can push it through when having tradespeople in to fit them or whatever isn't ideal at the moment unless an emergency! I certainly don't want anyone in my house that doesn't need to be at the moment.

Apparently the leaflet was from a private company basically touting for business. At present there is no legal requirement so no need to rush out to implement unless you are in the middle of renovations.

Bloody paternalistic nonsense. Fair enough for landlords to install but homeowners who are content enough with what they already have, can they just not let adults make adult decisions

@readsalotgirl63

That's good - we've just spent the best part of three grand ensuring the rental property we have complies with EICR but the electrician didn't mention this at all and I'm fairly sure there isnt a heat alarm in the kitchen.

Pretty sure the interlinked alarm systems have been required for rental flats in Scotland for some time? I had to get mine done a couple of years back....maybe just check this for your peace of mind.

@cdtaylornats

I wonder which SNP Minister has shares in a manufacturer/installer?

My first thought too!

My HA contacted me and they be fitted later this week.

An amendment is going through Parliament at the moment to delay this until February 2022.

Is anyone not going through with this (assuming house insurance still ok)? How would the authorities know, unless you sold your house, of course?

@Aurea

Is anyone not going through with this (assuming house insurance still ok)? How would the authorities know, unless you sold your house, of course?

I think a lot will depend on whether insurance companies make it a requirement. That is the most likely thing to force the issue for homeowners.

We'll do it sometime towards the end of next year - but no longer in a rush if the implementation of the legislation is going to be delayed.

If nothing else, it means that it will be 11 years before they need to be replaced

Stop press -
BBC News - Scottish government delay smoke alarm legislation until 2022
www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-54621068

Deadline delayed until 2022 (as suggested by prettybird)

@EmmaC78

An amendment is going through Parliament at the moment to delay this until February 2022.

Excellent decision

Like many others I threw the flyer out as I though it was a scam. Surely we'd have heard about it

Seems it slipped through though