WHAT’S THE STORY?

IT is now less than 11 weeks until a new law requiring interlinked smoke alarms in every Scottish household comes into force.

All new homes built in Scotland have interlinked alarms, and the push is on to get existing homeowners to install the correct alarms.

The law was postponed by a year, as evidence emerged that hundreds of thousands of homeowners had not installed the proper alarms, but the new law will definitely take effect on February 1.

The law was changed in the wake of the Grenfell Tower fire in which 71 people died, and the emergency services have long maintained that smoke alarms are the best way of avoiding fatalities in house fires. There were 46 deaths in Scottish house fires in the year 20-21 – more than double the previous year.

In the absence of research about the level of compliance with the new law, anecdotal evidence suggests that many people are leaving it late to install the correct alarms as defined under the Housing (Scotland) Act.

WHAT DOES THE NEW LAW STATE AND WHAT DIFFERENCE WILL IT MAKE?

THE biggest difference is that by legislation, all smoke alarms in a household must be interlinked – by radio frequency, and not wifi.

The Scottish Government explained: “Interlinked means if one goes off, they all go off, so you will always hear an alarm wherever you are in your home.”

Scotland is the first country in the UK to insist on interlinked smoke alarms, plus a separate carbon monoxide alarm in any room with a boiler or heater. This type of alarm must have a sealed battery for the duration of its operational lifespan, which may be up to ten years.

The National:

Every home must have one smoke alarm in the living room or the room you use most, one smoke alarm in every hallway or landing and one heat alarm in the kitchen.

All smoke and heat alarms should be mounted on the ceiling and be interlinked. Carbon monoxide alarms do not need to be linked to the smoke alarms.

All alarms can be linked to the mains but only a qualified electrical contractor can install them and they must be replaced every ten years. Battery-powered alarms must be sealed tamper-proof units and have long-life lithium batteries, which can last up to ten years.

HOW MUCH DO THEY COST AND WHO MUST PAY FOR THIS?

THE Scottish Government says: “Any costs will be the responsibility of home owners and landlords, and will depend on what you currently have in place and the alarms you choose to install. We estimate that the cost for an average three bedroom house which requires three smoke alarms, one heat alarm and one carbon monoxide detector will be around £220. This is based on using the type of alarms that you can install by yourself without the need for an electrician.”

There is help available for older and disabled homeowners on low incomes. It is available from Care and Repair Scotland but it is limited.

WHAT HAPPENS IF I DO NOT COMPLY?

THE Government is relying on people doing the right thing. After all it is a matter of potentially preventing deaths and injuries. There are no criminal penalties for non-compliance, but local authorities could use their powers to tackle sub-standard housing.

Most pertinently, the lack of compliant smoke alarms will be noted in any home report compiled for the sale of a house which might just put prospective purchasers off.

ANY SUGGESTIONS BY THE NATIONAL?

YES. If you know a relative or friend who doesn’t have compliant smoke alarms, and you can afford it, why not offer to supply them for Christmas? After all, you could be saving their lives.