Scottish Parliament agrees to postpone fire alarm standard to February 2022
New regulations postponed until 2022.
The Scottish Parliament’s Local Government Committee has agreed to a postponement of new regulations for fire and smoke alarms until 2022.
The proposed regulations, which currently apply only to the private rented sector and new builds, were originally intended to come into force on 1 February 2021. However concerns had been raised about the timing of the new legislation in light of the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, the lack of public awareness and the costs of the required upgrades.
Housing Minister Kevin Stewart said: “I welcome the parliament’s decision to postpone the implementation of the new standard to February 2022. This will allow more time for people to make changes to meet the standard. We will ensure people are supported with the right information and advice and will keep all of this under close review. I will keep parliament updated of developments.
“The Scottish Government is committed to improving fire safety. We want to ensure the same level of protection is in place, regardless of whether you own your home or rent from a social or private landlord. Although the postponement will give people a further 12 months to install the required alarms, I hope that most people will recognise its safety benefits and take action much sooner.”
The new standard is already in place for homes in the private rented sector and activity by social housing landlords to make the changes is well underway.
The Scottish Government has made more than £15 million of loan funding available for social landlords to help ensure that social tenants are safe in their homes and has provided the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service in the region of £1 million funding to enable them to install alarms during their Home Fire Safety Visits to owner occupied properties assessed to be at high risk from fire.
Homeowners can install tamper proof long-life lithium battery alarms themselves. Mains-wired alarms are also available and are generally cheaper than the tamper proof long-life battery alarms but should be installed by a qualified electrician. Both types of alarm are widely available in general hardware outlets and online.
The Scottish Government said it will continue to work with partners to spread awareness of the changes before the new deadline and to support householders to ensure the required alarms before the new deadline.
More information on fire and smoke alarms and changes to the law can be found on the government's website.