Smoke alarm regulations changed in 2022, and many homeowners and landlords in Rotherham still do not realise what is now required. Whether you own your home or rent it out, here is a plain-English guide to the current rules and what you need to do.

The Current Rules for Rental Properties

Since October 2022, all rented homes in England must have interlinked smoke alarms on every storey, and a carbon monoxide alarm in any room with a fixed combustion appliance such as a gas boiler or wood-burning stove. These rules apply to all private landlords and letting agents.

The alarms must be interlinked, meaning when one alarm detects smoke or carbon monoxide, all alarms in the house sound together. This is a crucial safety feature — if a fire starts downstairs while you are asleep upstairs, a standalone alarm in the kitchen might not wake you. Interlinked alarms will.

What About Homeowners?

There is currently no legal requirement for homeowners to have interlinked smoke alarms, but building regulations require them in new builds and when major renovation work is carried out. Regardless of the legal position, interlinked alarms are strongly recommended for every home. They are the single most effective way to give your family time to escape a fire.

Interlinked vs Standalone: What Is the Difference?

Standalone alarms only sound individually. If the alarm in your kitchen goes off, you might not hear it from your bedroom with the door closed. Interlinked alarms communicate with each other, either through wiring or wirelessly, so every alarm in the house sounds when any one of them is triggered.

There are two types of interlinked systems. Hardwired alarms are connected by cables run through your walls and ceilings, powered by the mains with a battery backup. Radio-frequency (RF) wireless alarms communicate without cables and are easier to retrofit in existing homes without the need for chasing cables into walls.

Where Should Smoke Alarms Be Installed?

You need at least one smoke alarm on every storey of your home, ideally in hallways and landings. For better protection, consider additional alarms in bedrooms, living rooms, and any room where a fire could start. Heat alarms rather than smoke alarms should be used in kitchens to avoid false alarms from cooking.

Carbon monoxide alarms should be fitted in any room with a gas boiler, gas fire, wood burner, or oil-fired appliance. They should be positioned at head height on a wall or on the ceiling, and within 1 to 3 metres of the appliance.

How Often Should Alarms Be Replaced?

Smoke alarms should be replaced every 10 years, even if they still seem to be working. The sensors degrade over time and become less sensitive. Carbon monoxide alarms have a shorter lifespan — most need replacing every 5 to 7 years. Check the date on the back of your alarms and replace any that are overdue.

You should test all your alarms monthly by pressing the test button, and replace the batteries annually if they are not sealed units. Many modern alarms have sealed lithium batteries that last the lifetime of the unit.

What Does Installation Involve?

For hardwired interlinked alarms, we run cables between each alarm location and connect them to your mains supply. The work is neat and the cables are hidden in your walls and ceilings. A typical 3-bedroom house takes around half a day to fit out with a complete system.

For wireless interlinked alarms, installation is quicker since there are no cables to run. Each alarm is fixed to the ceiling and paired with the others. This is a good option if you want to avoid any decorating work.

If you need smoke alarms installing or upgrading in your Rotherham home or rental property, get in touch. We will recommend the right system for your property and have it fitted quickly and neatly.