Are there smoke and CO alarms in the property ?

If there is no smoke alarm , fitting at least one should be a priority , as occupants are at least four times more likely to die in a fire in a home where there is no working smoke alarm . Also , carbon monoxide poisoning causes an estimated 50 deaths and 200 serious injuries annually and CO alarms should be considered for any combustion appliances , irrespective of the fuel .

Are alarms working and up to date ?

Previously fitted alarms may be missing , defective or time expired . Depending on model and make , alarms generally have a designed operational life of between five and 10 years , and the replacement date should be shown on the alarm . Any time expired or defective alarms should be replaced .

Suggest upgrading to a mains smoke / heat alarm system

Demanded by Building Regulations , professionally installed ‘ Grade D ’ mains , interconnected smoke and heat alarms with back up power are also important for existing buildings . Refurbishment , rewiring and other works provide an ideal opportunity to install a mains smoke alarm system , particularly using the latest low energy products .

For most properties BS5839-6:2013 recommends a smoke alarm in the living room , as well as in hallways and landings .

Suggest adding carbon monoxide alarms

Building Regulations and BS EN50292:2013 allow either mains or battery-only CO alarms . Mains CO alarms are easily installed with smoke alarms and can offer extra features . For example , Kidde ’ s mains CO alarms can be interlinked with each other and also with the company ’ s hard-wired smoke and heat alarms using the ‘ Smart Interconnect ’ feature . Here , CO alarms have different , distinct alarm sounder patterns for carbon monoxide or fire , supported by different display messages on the digital model . It allows occupants to respond quickly , making the right choice from the very different actions for either fire or carbon monoxide . Battery-only models should incorporate a battery designed to operate for the working life of the alarm . Sealedin battery models with a 10-year life and guarantee are now available .

Is the property rented ?

Regulations now apply to all private rented premises in England , requiring a smoke alarm on each floor ( which could be battery powered ) and a carbon monoxide alarm in any habitable room with a solid fuel appliance . However , BS5839-6:2013 recommends Grade D ( mains with back up power , interconnected alarms ) – already a legal requirement for Scottish rented properties – and excludes battery-only systems from all rented homes . Rented properties in Scotland also need CO alarms with any combustion heating appliance , in line with Building Regulations .

Is there a heat alarm in the kitchen ?

Although over 60 per cent of all domestic fires start in kitchens , English and Welsh Building Regulations only call for heat alarms in some kitchens . In contrast , Regulations elsewhere and BS5839- 6:2013 recommend them in all kitchens . And they must always interconnect with the smoke alarms .

Is there a smoke alarm in the living room ?

For most properties BS5839-6:2013 recommends a smoke alarm in the living room , as well as in hallways and landings .

Is there a CO alarm in the bedroom ?

As well as near combustion appliances , BS EN50292:2013 recommends CO alarms in rooms where occupants spend time , particularly bedrooms . Here , some products offer extra features such as the ‘ Smart Interconnect ’ facility where Kidde ’ s hard-wired CO alarms in bedrooms act as sounders for the smoke alarm system , as well as protecting sleeping occupants against carbon monoxide .

For further information contact : sales @ kiddesafety . co . uk