Last edited 20 Aug 2021

Interlinked fire alarm safety laws in Scotland

From February 2022, all homeowners in Scotland will be required to have interlinked alarms under legislation brought forward after the Grenfell Tower tragedy in 2017.

Homeowners in Scotland are being prompted to install interlinked heat and smoke alarms before changes to fire safety laws come into effect. These alarms are meant to reduce casualties by alerting everybody in a property to a fire. Most homes will also require a carbon monoxide alarm.

Private rented and new-build homes must already meet these standards, but from February 2022 they will apply to every home in Scotland, regardless of its age or tenure. Once the legislation is in effect, all homes will need to have one smoke alarm in the most frequently used room, one in every circulation space on each storey and a heat alarm in each kitchen. Alarms should be ceiling mounted and interlinked. Where there is a carbon-fuelled appliance, such as a boiler, fire or flue, a carbon monoxide detector is also required, although this does not need to be linked to the fire alarms.

All these alarms can be either long-life sealed and battery operated, or mains-operated. However, mains-operated alarms must be installed by a qualified electrician.

The Scottish Government is providing funding to help eligible older and disabled homeowners with installation, in partnership with Care and Repair Scotland. These funds are being offered in addition to those that have already been provided to the Scottish Fire & Rescue Service for the protection of owner-occupied homes identified as being at highest risk.

Social landlords have been working to ensure that the new alarms are in place, where needed. The Scottish Government has made loan funding available for social landlords ensuring that tenants are safe in their homes.