Fire Safety Regulation
New fire safety legislation is coming into effect in Dunfermline, Scotland.
In response to fire-related tragedies in recent years, there are new fire safety regulations being introduced in Scotland. By 1st February 2022, every domestic property must have interconnected smoke and heat alarms installed and also a carbon monoxide detector.
Here at Dunsire Associates (electrical) Ltd we provide electrical services in Dunfermline and the surrounding areas. Our team is available to offer you advice and install and test an alarm system for your home.
Call us today on 01383 723583 for more information about our services in Dunfermline and the surrounding areas.
The Scottish government have provided a document outlining guidance for the Tolerable Standard. This covers the basic requirements that homeowners must follow to be in line with the new fire safety legislation.
A smoke alarm must be installed in the most frequently used room during the day, such as a living room. Another needs to be fitted in areas of circulation, for example hallways and landings. Kitchens require a heat detector and all equipment must be interconnecting meaning that when one goes off they all do.
This new fire safety legislation applies to all homes in Scotland, including private rentals and social housing. If landlords and homeowners have not compiled with the new law by 1st February 2022, the property will not meet the Tolerable Standard. This can result in the local authority making you carry out the work.
To have an effective interconnected system of heat and smoke detectors they must be installed in certain areas of your property. The essential places to fit them include:
We suggest that you do not place alarms inside or close outside bathrooms as steam and moisture can affect them. If possible, however, fitting detectors at approximately 3 metres from bedroom doors is recommended as they are then easier to hear at night if there is an emergency.
Smoke and heat alarms need to be attached to the ceiling and be either mains-powered with a back-up battery or tamperproof with a long-life lithium battery. The latter options are linkable via a wireless connection.
Please get in touch with our team for more information. We cater to homeowners in Dunfermline and the surrounding areas.
In the event of a fire the best course of action is to make sure everyone in the building is notified and exits the property quickly and safely. The main steps you should take in this eventuality include:
When making your way outside, try to cover your mouth and nose with a cloth, ideally damp, and take short, shallow breaths. This reduces the chances of damaging your lungs with smoke inhalation.
Once outside, don’t go back indoors until the emergency service has said it is safe to do so. By following the new fire safety legislation your interconnected alarms should alert you quickly to any possible danger and save lives.
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a poisonous gas with no colour, taste or smell. To protect the inhabitants of a property and remain in line with the new fire safety regulations in Scotland, a CO detector must be installed in all rooms that have a fixed fuel-burning appliance or a flue.
Some physical signs that there may be a CO leak include dark staining on or around appliances such as a boiler or the flame inside it is yellow/orange rather than blue. Exposure to CO can cause headaches, nausea, stomach pain and shortness of breath. High exposure may result in death.
A mains-powered detector or one with a long-life battery can be used so long as it complies with BS EN 50291. When installing the alarm in a room with a fuel-burning appliance, it should be fixed 1-3 metres away.