The dos and don'ts of mains powered smoke alarms and battery alarms

Make sure your smoke alarms are replaced in good time! 

Most properties in the UK have battery-operated smoke alarms, but mains powered smoke alarms interlinked between floors are the most reliable method of giving early warning in case of fire and must now be installed in all new homes.

Mains-wired smoke alarms are also required in certain types of alteration and extension work. Mount them in the circulation space at every floor level:

• In loft conversions
• When adding new habitable rooms (bedrooms, kitchens, living or dining rooms) above ground floor level
• When adding a new habitable room at ground floor level that doesn’t have its own exit leading outdoors

Installing new interlinked smoke alarms can be disruptive, so think about the need for detection before you start work. Radio-linked alarms are acceptable; as long as the manufacturer can guarantee the battery back-up will last for 72 hours.

Smoke alarm DOs:

• Ensure there's at least one alarm on every storey of the dwelling
• Ensure there's an alarm within 3m of the door to every bedroom.
• Provide a heat detector to the kitchen if it's open plan to the escape route
• Mount them 300mm away from walls and light fittings
• Ensure the electrical installation of the units meets Part P requirements in England and Wales
• Provide instructions to the end user

Smoke alarm DON'Ts:

• Install them above staircases where testing and maintenance is dangerous
• Site them in places where they can become very hot, cold, or subject to a lot of moisture or fumes (bathrooms, kitchens, garages - use a heat detector if need be)

Remember, there are additional requirements for large houses of two or more storeys where one of those storeys exceeds 200m2, so bear this in mind when working on footballers' mansions! If in any doubt, contact your local authority building control team to discuss.

Disclaimer:  

Every care has been taken to ensure that the above content is correct at the time of publication.  Any reliance on the content should be verified by the dutyholder(s) and their professional advisers.  It is the responsibility of the dutyholder(s) and/or person carrying out the work to ensure compliance with the relevant building regulations and associated legislation.

This content is given in good faith by LABC.  It is not definitive, and compliance will be a matter for the relevant building control authority to decide as the enforcing body for the building regulations, and ultimately for the appropriate tribunal or court to determine.