New smoke alarm legislation Scotland: what are the new rules, and when do they come into force?

Those in Scotland will soon be required to meet new smoke alarm rules which includes an interlinked system within their property.

The new legislation will shortly be introduced in the country, with millions affected by the requirement to update their current smoke alarm system.

But what exactly do Scottish homeowners need to do, and when is the new legislation introduced?

What are the new rules on smoke alarms in Scotland?

In line with new rules, homeowners will need to install a smoke alarm in their living room and one in their hallway.

A heat alarm will also need to be installed in the hallway of the property, and all alarms in the house must be interlinked.

This means that when one alarm goes off, all other alarms in the house go off in unison.

The Scottish Government introduced the new legislation after the Grenfell Tower fire in June 2017, which saw 72 people die after being unable to escape the 24-storey building.

Households with a carbon fuelled device, such as a boiler, fire, heater or flue must also have a carbon monoxide alarm, although this does not have to be connected to the other detectors in the house.

Either a sealed battery alarm or a mains-wired alarm will be accepted as an appropriate device.

Any alarms that are installed must, however, meet the following standards:

• Smoke alarms - BS EN14604:2005
• Heat alarms - BS 5446-2:2003
• Carbon monoxide detector - British Kitemark EN 50291-1

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How do you connect multiple smoke alarms?

The process to connect all smoke alarms within the home can be done fairly easily.

The alarms will be connected through radio frequency, meaning that they do not need to be connected manually or by Wi-Fi.

When are the new rules on smoke alarms introduced in Scotland?

Scots will need to act quick to make their home safer, with the new legislation being introduced next month.

The law will be introduced on 1 February.

Landlords will also be required to install new systems into their properties, with council and housing authorities also working with tenants to make sure that the systems in place meet the new regulations.

How much will it cost to install new alarms?

The Scottish Government has been criticised for the legislation as homeowners and landlords will be expected to pay out of pocket for the new systems.

An estimated average, calculated by the Scottish Government, predicts that for a three bedroom home, it will cost around £220 to install three smoke alarms, a heat alarm and a carbon monoxide detector without the help of an electrician.

Older residents or disabled residents on low incomes can contact their local Care and Repair Service for advice on how to fund the change.

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