Landlords warned over mandatory smoke and carbon monoxide alarms rule

Reply to the comment left by Beaver at 01/09/2022 - 16:11
The government's ‘Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (Amendment) Regulations 2022 , linked to above, contain the answers to your questions about the October deadline and the awkward tenant.

Ok thanks thats helpful, although it reiterates that the regs do not stipulate where alarms should be placed, it also says

However, in general, carbon monoxide alarms should be positioned at head height, either on a wall or shelf, approximately 1-3 metres away from a potential source of carbon monoxide.

So that's what I'll use as a metric when I check placement of existing and new CO alarms
Thanks again

Carol, I also have a gas boiler inside a cupboard on the landing. The CO alarm is fixed on the landing wall just above the cupboard door.

The following information is taken from the instructions for Kidde Lifesaver Battery Carbon Monoxide Alarms.
Recommended Locations:
Install the alarm more than 2metres from
fuel burning appliances, and ideally no more
than 4metres away;
Away from draughts, such as doors and
windows;
Within hearing distance of bedrooms. If
heating appliance is in the bedroom place
the alarm at sleeping height;
If wall-mounting, install at eye-level (approx 1.5m), and at least 30cm from adjoining walls or ceiling;
If free-standing, the unit should be placed
no more than 1 metre from the ground (to
avoid permanent damage in case accidently knocked).
Not Recommended
Do not install nearer than 2metres from fuel burning appliances;
Do not wall-mount close to obstructions
(e.g. behind curtains, shelving or furniture);
Do not fit in dusty, dirty or greasy areas (e.g. garages or workshops);
Do not wall-mount within 30cm of the ceiling as this is a “dead air” space;
Avoid humid (bathrooms), cold (40°C) areas and away from sinks.

Reply to the comment left by Paul landlord at 01/09/2022 - 13:02
Please mention the name.

And advise me on this. 5+ years after I've had fitted & they break or get pulled off etc., I want to quickly go Screwfix & replace so the new same one just plugs into the one that's been there 10 years. Any advise on getting the SAME duplicate one? As there's that many, I struggle 10 years later.

More help needed as u r Landlord & electrician & tell me if the below is wrong ie. the alarms shun't start sounding when tenant runs out of electric:

I started to fit interlinked wired smoke alarms and heat detectors.
However with my demographic of tenants, predominantly on Benefits, I was unaware the following would happen.
I went round one day and said What's happened to smoke alarm?
She said I ran out of electric at 4am, battery back up starts beeping and waking me up so I ripped them down.

https://www.yorkelectric.net/faq/why-does-my-smoke-detector-alarm-when-the-power-goes-off-and-comes-back-on/

She then had NONE. I've now found out this happens when tenants constantly run out of electric, they rip down to stop the beeping, it's dark, cold, they can't see.
Me and u wouldn't run out of electric in the first place, and we'd take down gently unplugging wires as we know how much things cost. However Benefit tenants aren't me and u.
So I've done risk assessment and for my tenants, having mains powered means after a short time, they have none at all.
Having cheap battery ones, means we have much higher chance of there being a smoke alarm up after a period of time. I tried to do the right want u would think is safer thing, but alas, we are all different and I understand my tenants.

Reply to the comment left by Beaver at 01/09/2022 - 14:50
Surely this is something you check when you complete your 3 monthly inspection?

Reply to the comment left by Mick Roberts at 03/09/2022 - 08:34
interesting Mick - never thought of that issue.

Maybe I'll get an incoming tenant to now sign something extra that says specifically that battery alarms will be fitted and not mains to reduce the electric consumption for them yet completely provide for the requirement to be met.

I'd love to see a council take that to court even if SL states they have to be mains wired.

If the whole LEGAL idea is to be compliant to show proper care and health and safety of the tenant and alarms have been fitted, in date and regularly checked AND the actual tenant has agreed that he/she wants that type, then what the hell can they actually do?
They cannot show a LL was negligent in not supplying a fully working system.

still need to be fitted if there is no boiler but a gas hob only?

Reply to the comment left by DSR at 05/09/2022 - 16:16
Some of my tenants has had to write to DASH to say I'm not having wired ones up. Obviously this may change in the future when law, but many forget to ask what the actual tenants want.

Yes good point if it reduces the electric consumption.

Reply to the comment left by Mick Roberts at 05/09/2022 - 16:31
whats DASH?

Reply to the comment left by Sue Marven at 03/09/2022 - 11:17
How often are you legally obliged to inspect?