British Standard 5839 Part 6 is a code of practice relating to the design, installation and maintenance of fire detection systems in domestic premises. The standard also grades fire detection systems which reflects their functionality and capability. The below table details the up-to-date grades for fire detection systems. Alarm Grades by Power Type (BS 5839 Part 6) BS 5839-6: 2019 Grade

Social landlords are bodies that are registered providers of social housing. This includes local authorities who own and rent housing, housing associations, charities and any other landlord who is registered with the Regulator of Social Housing as a ‘private registered provider’ of social housing. Ensure at least one smoke alarm is equipped on each storey of their homes where there is a room used as living accommodation. This has been a legal requirement in the private rented sector since 2015. Symptoms of mild carbon monoxide poisoning include: slight headache, nausea, vomiting, fatigue. Symptoms of medium carbon monoxide poisoning include: severe headache, drowsiness, confusion and fast heart rate. Symptoms of extreme carbon monoxide poisoning include: unconsciousness, convulsions, cardiorespiratory failure, death. Feeling immediately better after leaving your house is another sign that you may be experiencing carbon monoxide poisoning. What to do in an event of a CO incident? These regulations do not apply to other types of homes provided by social landlords, such as social sector leaseholders or shared ownership. Storey

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The regulations apply to unlicensed HMOs. Licensed HMOs are exempt from Parts 1 to 5 of the regulations but only because the regulations also amend the HMO licensing obligations in the Housing Act 2004 so as to impose similar requirements. Do the regulations apply to owner occupiers? Testing of smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms does not require specialist skills or knowledge and should be straightforward for tenants to do. The local housing authority must decide whether the evidence provided proves that the landlord has met the requirements of the regulations. Optical alarms may be more expensive but are far more adept at detecting large particles of smoke from slow-burning fires. Unlike ionisation models, optical alarms can be installed near kitchens, as they are less likely to be triggered by smoke from burnt food.

Thankfully, it seems that many householders are starting to fully realise the potential dangers posed by not having detector alarms for fire, smoke and carbon monoxide fitted in their properties. In the department’s view, a non-functioning purely decorative fireplace would not constitute a fixed combustion appliance. Gas cookers Ionisation, optical, heat and combined. Of the four, ionisation alarms are the least expensive. They are very sensitive at detecting smoke from fast-burning flames but less effective with slow-burning fires. The regulations will be enforced by local housing authorities. Details on enforcement of the regulations can be found in the guidance for local authorities. What should landlords do if they are aware that they are not compliant?Storey’ is not defined in the regulations. It should be given its ordinary meaning. In the department’s view, for the purpose of these regulations, a mezzanine floor would not be considered a storey. Tenancy Separate guidance is available for local authorities. Frequently asked questions What type of smoke alarm is required? The regulations require a smoke alarm to be installed on every storey of the premises on which there is a room used wholly or partly as living accommodation.

System of one or more battery-powered smoke alarms (and heat alarms if required). The battery is user-replaceable and will not last the full life of the alarm. Gas appliances which do not burn fuel properly produce excess carbon monoxide, which is then let loose into the atmosphere. Audible carbon monoxide alarms detect the presence of the excess CO and warn residents accordingly. Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colourless, odourless, tasteless, poisonous gas produced by incomplete burning of carbon-based fuels, including gas, oil, wood and coal. The biggest advantage to mains-powered alarms is that there is no need to worry about battery life. However, residents need to be made aware that even mains-powered detectors only have a certain shelf life.

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Although they are simple to install, carbon monoxide detectors should be fitted as per the manufacturer's instructions and serviced accordingly to avoid any potential warranty issues. The statistics regarding fires in the United Kingdom make for rather sobering and frightening reading. Every year in the UK, fire services are called out to more than 270,000 fires including over 40,000 residential fire-related incidents. The Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (Amendment) Regulations 2022 will come into force on 1 October 2022. From that date, all relevant landlords must: Landlords should follow the individual manufacturer’s instructions when installing the alarms. 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.