Do building regulations require smoke alarm in every ROOM with non-fire doors?
Anonymous user 09/03/2024 - 3.00 PM
Do building control regulations require hard-wired inter-linked smoke alarms for every ROOM that doesn't have fire doors in residential property (Standard 2 Storey Victorian house)?
No basement/loft conversion, no renting, no HMO.
I ask about BC because my electrician (rewiring whole house) wants to install smoke alarms in every ROOM that doesn't have fire doors before he issues me an EICNIC certificate, claiming that BC will have issue with this. My argument is that it is only a 2 storey house (no loft/basement conversion) so fire doors should not even be a requirement, and even if they were, they must fall out of an EICNIC certificate scope
Are you a tradesperson and able to answer this question?
Why do you ask about BC ?
If it's just a normal residential house and you are not renting,HMO, fully rewiring,doing substantial renovation, altering the property whereby changing egress in the event of a fire then it's just down to your 'concern for your own safety' therefore a few battery smoke alarms in a normal residential is adequate. Maybe a battery Carbon monoxide in any rooms with a gas or solid fuel appliance.
Nxt level would be mains smokes with battery backup powered off a lighting circuit interlinked by radio bases through house levels.
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Concerned about BC ? ring them to find out exactly what you are 'legally 'required to do' , i doubt anything..... then you'll know for yourself. BC are very good at turning up and making life hard sometimes but they can be a good resource of info too.
Or ring NICEIC or NAPIT
A single smoke alarm in a central location on each floor is more then acceptable, personally I would opt for mains powered with battery backup. Only someone with paranoia about fire would have one in every room although from a safety aspect you would defiantly be alerted to a fire quite quickly.
Update Building Regs Minimum
In England, the minimum guide for smoke alarm positioning to meet building regulations is as follows:
All dwellings should be provided with an alarm system to at least Grade D, Category LD3
Position optical or multi-sensor mains powered alarms with an integral backup power supply within the escape routes of the property (i.e. hallways and landings)
Have at least one smoke alarm on every storey
Install a heat alarm in any kitchen areas where the kitchen is not separated from the circulation space or stairway by a door.
All alarms must be interlinked
