Installation of smoke alarm, heat alarm and carbon monoxide detectors to comply with the latest building regulations.

Installation of smoke alarm, heat alarm and carbon monoxide detectors to comply with the latest building regulations.

These regulations cover new build properties, materially altered dwellings, loft conversations and certain building extensions for standard dwellings, and state that all dwellings should be provided with an alarm system to at least Grade D, Category LD3 – the installation of mains powered alarms with an integral back‑up power supply within the escape routes of the property (i.e. hallways and landings). There should be at least one smoke alarm on every storey.

In addition, the Building Regulations also require a heat alarm to be installed in any kitchen areas where the kitchen is not separated from the circulation space or stairway by a door.

Multi‑sensor alarms are generally more suitable for installation in circulation areas (hallways and landings) next to kitchens. Heat alarms are recommended for placing directly in kitchens and in unconverted loft space.

All alarms should be interlinked (either using hard wiring or wireless interlink) to ensure audibility throughout the property in the event of an alarm being activated.

However the Building Regulations also reference the British Standard BS 5839‑6:2013 (also known as BS 5839: Pt. 6) and recommend that an alarm system is installed in‑line with this.

BS 5839‑6 advises that new build and materially altered premises should have a Grade D, Category LD2 alarm system with smoke alarms installed in escape routes and high risk areas e.g. hallways, landings and the principal habitable room such as the living room along with heat detectors in every kitchen.

Following the guidance of BS 5839‑6:2013 new build properties and materially altered dwellings should therefore have a Grade D, Category LD2 alarm system installed.

Escape routes and high risk areas, e.g.:

• Hallways
• Landings
• Living Room
• Kitchen