Domestic heat/smoke alarm mains powered from different lighting circuits?

[Julie.]

Would appear BS and Scottish government are not 100% in sync.

Guess Scottish government position is that having smoke alarm(s) whether it's mains or battery powered is better than not having any at all.

On a separate note, if I bought every BS standard that I would touch upon, then storage of these alone (forest of paper) would results in an increased fire risk

They are not in Sync, but the Scottish rules go beyond the UK.

F2 is not permitted for any mandatory detectors - but can be used for additional.
The minimum quantities under BS5839 are not sufficient under Scottish law.


The law in Scotland is that EVERY home MUST have interlinked alarms:
Main living room
Each circulation space on every story
Kitchen (Heat)
CO in every room with fossil fuel device (boiler/fire etc) or containing a flue.
ALL sensors must be ceiling mounted

Not just new builds/modifications - however F1 is considered acceptable.

BTW, alarms from different circuits cannot be interconnected, only via wireless in these cases.

You could interconnect say all the alarms on each story and just have one wireless on each circuit connecting to the other circuit.

Wouldn't be ideal but has been accepted in Scotland.


The law is here:

Fire and smoke alarms: changes to the law

The law on fire alarms has changed which means all Scottish homes will need to have interlinked alarms. Guidance on what you need to know.

www.gov.scot

A Typical older house would require
3 x smoke,
1 x heat
plus:
CO in the Boiler location
CO in the front room (Gas fire)
CO in the Living room (Gas fire)
CO in the front bedroom (The flue from the downstairs gas fire passes through)
CO in the Rear bedroom (The flue from the downstairs gas fire passes through)

All either mains powered, battery back up interconnected, or 10 year battery with wireless

Scottish government expect this is £200

 

[Let me think]

They are not in Sync, but the Scottish rules go beyond the UK.

F2 is not permitted for any mandatory detectors - but can be used for additional.
The minimum quantities under BS5839 are not sufficient under Scottish law.


The law in Scotland is that EVERY home MUST have interlinked alarms:
Main living room
Each circulation space on every story
Kitchen (Heat)
CO in every room with fossil fuel device (boiler/fire etc) or containing a flue.
ALL sensors must be ceiling mounted

Not just new builds/modifications - however F1 is considered acceptable.

BTW, alarms from different circuits cannot be interconnected, only via wireless in these cases.

You could interconnect say all the alarms on each story and just have one wireless on each circuit connecting to the other circuit.

Wouldn't be ideal but has been accepted in Scotland.

Whoops wasn't aware that F2 could only be used for additional non-mandatory detectors. Thanks for all of your help.

I'll be seeing my friend (social distanced of course) later on the evening, to work out best plan of action. Well keep you updated on final solution that satisfies both BS5839 and Scottish government requirements.

Thanks to everyone for your input.

 

[littlespark]

I think architects have basic plans written up concerning smokes, accessory heights and even make of accessories... (“MK or equivelant”.... why?)
Sounds like they haven’t updated their scripts to include 10yr battery or radio options

I’ve just looked at a plan for knocking 2 flats into one, and the architect has asked for a carbon DIOXIDE Co2 detector monitor for the master bedroom.
Assume it’s to act as a sounder for the co detector at the boiler.... which is written on the plan as MONOXIDE

 

[Let me think]

I think architects have basic plans written up concerning smokes, accessory heights and even make of accessories... (“MK or equivelant”.... why?)
Sounds like they haven’t updated their scripts to include 10yr battery or radio options

I’ve just looked at a plan for knocking 2 flats into one, and the architect has asked for a carbon DIOXIDE Co2 detector monitor for the master bedroom.
Assume it’s to act as a sounder for the co detector at the boiler.... which is written on the plan as MONOXIDE

Maybe they plan to install a soda stream in the master bedroom - they are making a come back. Nothing worse than when you come to use it and is ran out of CO2, because it's been leaking - hence need for detector

Maybe also trying to reduce carbon foot print by going for a MONOXIDE detector....

 

[R-fur]

New build in Scotland should have a carbon dioxide alarm in the master bedroom, I fitted one a couple of years ago. It is because modern property is so sealed up they say there is a risk from carbon dioxide build up!! The house I did had a Carbon dioxide 2 carbon monoxide, a heat detector and two smokies all interlinked.

 

[Let me think]

New build in Scotland should have a carbon dioxide alarm in the master bedroom, I fitted one a couple of years ago. It is because modern property is so sealed up they say there is a risk from carbon dioxide build up!! The house I did had a Carbon dioxide 2 carbon monoxide, a heat detector and two smokies all interlinked.

That's a new one to me. Thanks for sharing. Better take back my tongue and cheek soda stream comment....

 

[littlespark]

The DIOXIDE was a mistake. The architect has admitted to that.

 

[Lister1987]

What I can't get my head around is that BS5839-1 not being sufficient. Surely rather than the devolved approach we appear to have, WHY on matters like this (fire safety, electrical safety etc) does the British government doesn't put the boot down and prohibit devolved 'modifications' to long standing, well...standards.

I'm not against them wanting change but I'm fully against devolved decisions, I mean just look at the COVID debacle we have at the moment....

 

[R-fur]

Building standards in Scotland and NI have always been different from England, nothing to do with devolution.

 

[Lister1987]

Building standards in Scotland and NI have always been different from England, nothing to do with devolution.

Begs the question as to why it was allowed in the first place and not universally applied across the UK? Same with laws, why must everywhere outside of England have laws that apply just to them? Surely if it's a good law with reasoning for it then it would make sense to apply it across the board? I'm getting the thread off topic so I'll can it ?