Back to Back Housing Fire Safety Requirements

Hi Adrian

Write to the Council and ask them to quote the specific legislation they are relying upon to enforce their recommendation.

If there is any (I doubt there is) then at least you will know where you stand and have something tangible to argue.

Good luck and please update us when you get their response.
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I came up against this several years ago with a three storey 1890s terrace, already converted in to three flats. Local Environmental Health dept. had told the previous owner it needed the LD3 system, I inherited the problem. Not knowing any better, I had it installed in this and another similar terrace I owned.

Subsequently, different but near identical property - architect submitted plans to Building Control with only mains interlinked smoke detectors in stairway and individual flats, and emergency lights. This of course was passed, and approved on completion. The only difference was that this one had a shop on the ground floor, two flats above.

Subsequent to that, two other similar three flat conversions, similar planning application, both successful.

It seems EH and Planning aren't singing from the same hymn sheet…...

Just to cheer everyone up.......in Scotland at every new tenancy you will be required to install smoke detectors in every public room, hall and each landing along heat detector in kitchen. All to be hardwired and interlinking. In addition you will require building regulation approval along with an architects plan.

Neil - I take it you don't mean a new installation literally every time you create a new tenancy, otherwise over time you will multiple parallel systems in the same house or block of flats . . .

Is there any similar requirement in Scotland to install wired-in smoke detectors every time an owner-occupied house or flat changes hands? If not, I wonder why?

Reply to the comment left by "Tony Atkins" at "08/07/2014 - 16:30":

Hi Tony No.......only if they are not installed at a change of tenancy which is probably about 95% of our portfolio. We've just completed the rounds of getting wired in smoke alarms to the halls and landings.

You are right if you own your house no such requirements unless new build

I have a large number of these houses in Bradford.

Both I and a number of friends have experienced the same problem with the council.

Its not only the smoke alarms, they ask for lots of other unreasonable stuff too that is not part of legislation.

The good thing about the fact they do not know their a*se from their elbow about anything, is when they come to inspect after they do not know what they are looking for and don't have the knowledge to be able to check that the detail they have asked for is complied with!!

Two of us in this situation told them to get lost and never heard from them again.

Another one put up wireless battery interconnected units- the check was just listening to them all go off at the same time!! No check on the wiring! The wired units are instantly identifiable as opposed to others by the way and this was also on a purpose built flat that had concrete floors above so cables would have ben visible too!

Unless anyone corrects me there is no legislation requiring this for a single domestic house but Brad try it on anyway.

By the way some here may not understand the concept of a back to back so please be aware of this with any advice posted.

For sake of ease on a house I am not 'refurbing' I have put in these wireless types but bought 10 year li-ion batteries for them off the net- the set up is not much more than the fire angel 10 year standalone units.

When a house gets a 'going through' I then put in wired alarms.

We have learned if you don't want a load of unnecessary aggravation from people who do not know what they are talking about then keep Bradford council out at all costs!

By the way I bet the notice you have been served is not actually an order- just a notice that they might send you an order dressed up to look like an order. Sneaky but that's what they do in Bradford.

Just to clarify the requirements applying to Scotland. Under the Repairing Standards is a requirement to comply with the Domestic Technical Handbook (which is intended to cover new build properties but the link was added as a "last minutes" amendment to the Legislation). This specifies wired and linked fire detectors in the hall and each living room and heat detector in the kitchen. However there is no requirement as the timing for when these are to be fitted just an understanding that they will be, which may be when major upgrade works are undertaken.

Please Clarify the fire safety alarm works well in only Bedroom or lounge also .. ?

Reply to the comment left by "Jireh Homes" at "08/07/2014 - 19:33":

I think if you check the Legislation you will find that the Repairing Standards now require fire detection to be to current standards at the commencement of any NEW tenancy. It is also covered in the LL obligations within the Tenants Information Pack. The Scot Gov is also making it mandatory to have regular electrical inspections the date and frequency still to be announced.

The Repairing Standard was introduced on 3 September 2007 and every private landlord has a duty to ensure that a house meets the Repairing Standard at the start of the tenancy and at all times during it. Included within the Repairing Standard is the duty to ensure that there is satisfactory provision for detecting and giving warning of fires.

Reply to the comment left by "paul landlord" at "08/07/2014 - 17:38":

Hi Paul

Thanks for that - i'll update you with the outcome. I don't mind installing them but i don't like being told to do so by an over the top EH department.