Focus groups for SFHA members – fire safety consultation

The SFHA is running three focus groups for members to discuss a Scottish Government consultation on fire and smoke alarms.

The Scottish Government has opened a consultation on fire and smoke alarms in Scotland’s homes. The consultation follows the Grenfell tragedy and is part of the government’s response.

At present, standards vary across different housing tenures. While all new homes built since 1993 are required by Building Standards to have a mains wired smoke alarm in the living room, a heat alarm in the kitchen and interlinked smoke alarms in circulation spaces (halls and stairs), owner occupied homes built before that date have no requirement for alarms. All homes let in the private rented sector (PRS) are required to meet the same standard as new build.  

Social rented housing has slightly different requirements. Under the Social Housing Quality Standard (SHQS) there is a need for at least one smoke alarm in a property, and these can either be mains wired or battery powered. Replacement alarms have to be mains wired.

The consultation looks at harmonising standards for all tenures of housing, with all homes required to meet the higher new build and PRS standard.

The consultation is seeking views on four options:

• applying the new build standard to social rented housing
• applying the new build standard to flats, irrespective of tenure
• applying the new build standard to all multi storey dwellings

The consultation will also provide the opportunity for other issues to be raised such as sprinklers or the removal of fire doors in multi-storey properties.

The focus groups will take place on:

• Glasgow 
  10 November, 10am–12 noon
  SFHA office, 149 St Vincent Street, G2 5NW 
• Edinburgh 
  17 November, 10am–12 noon
  Bield Housing Association, 79 Hopetoun Street, EH7 4QF
• Inverness
  21 November 1pm–3 pm
  Cairn Housing Association, 30 Waterloo Place, IV1 1NB

To book a place click on the above links.