Introduction

Interlinked smoke and heat alarms are an essential part of home safety. They provide early warning in case of fire, allowing you and your family to evacuate safely.
Each part of the United Kingdom has different rules and regulations for Interlinked Smoke & Heat Alarms.

England Regulations - Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (Amendment) Regulations 1st October 2022

• New Builds
• All new building must be fitted with interlinked smoke alarms.
• Alarms must be Mains Powered, with a battery backup, Grade D1
• A smoke alarm must be fitted on each story which is used as living accommodation.
• A carbon monoxide alarm should be installed in every room which is used as living accommodation containing a fuel burning appliance (excluding gas cookers).
• Heat alarm are not a replacement for smoke alarms, but one should be fitted within the kitchen.
• Existing Homes
• Local authority or privately rented properties
• All rented homes (local authority or privately rented) must be fitted with interlinked smoke alarms.
• Alarms can be Mains Powered, with a battery backup, Grade D1, or battery powered with a 10year tamperproof battery.
• A smoke alarm must be fitted on each story which is used as living accommodation.
• A carbon monoxide alarm should be installed in every room which is used as living accommodation containing a fuel burning appliance (excluding gas cookers).
• Heat alarm are not a replacement for smoke alarms, but one should be fitted within the kitchen.
• Owner occupied homes
• There are no regulations for owner occupied homes. However it is recommended the following alarms are fitted for the safety of your home and family -
• Alarms can be Mains Powered, with a battery backup, Grade D1, or battery powered with a 10year tamperproof battery.
• A smoke alarm must be fitted on each story which is used as living accommodation.
• A carbon monoxide alarm should be installed in every room which is used as living accommodation containing a fuel burning appliance (excluding gas cookers).
• Heat alarm are not a replacement for smoke alarms, but one should be fitted within the kitchen.

New Scotland Regulations - 1st February 2022

• Every home in Scotland must be fitted with interlinked smoke and heat alarms
• Smoke alarms can be mains powered, with a battery backup, or powered with a 10year tamperproof battery.
• A smoke alarms should be fitted in the following locations -
• The main living room or room used most during the day
• On each hallway or landing on all levels
• In a loft conversion
• In a garage conversion
• Heat alarms can be mains powered, with a battery backup, or powered with a 10year tamperproof battery.
• A heat alarms should be fitted in the kitchen
• Carbon Monoxide alarms should be fitted in each of the following areas -
• Every Room with a carbon-fueled device e.g. boiler, fire , heater or flue. Unless the appliance is used solely for cooking.
• If the boiler is in a cupboard, mount the carbon monoxide alarm on the wall outside the cupboard, no more than 300mm away from the cupboard door.

Wales Private Rented Homes Regulations 1st July 2022

• Local authority or privately rented properties
• All rented homes (local authority or privately rented) must be fitted with interlinked smoke alarms.
• Alarms can be Mains Powered, with a battery backup, Grade D1
• A smoke alarm must be fitted on each story which is used as living accommodation.
• A carbon monoxide alarm should be installed in every room which is used as living accommodation containing a fuel burning appliance (excluding gas cookers).
• Heat alarm are not a replacement for smoke alarms, but one should be fitted within the kitchen.
• Owner occupied homes
• There are no regulations for owner occupied homes. However it is recommended the following alarms are fitted for the safety of your home and family -
• Alarms can be Mains Powered, with a battery backup, Grade D1, or battery powered with a 10year tamperproof battery.
• A smoke alarm must be fitted on each story which is used as living accommodation.
• A carbon monoxide alarm should be installed in every room which is used as living accommodation containing a fuel burning appliance (excluding gas cookers).
• Heat alarm are not a replacement for smoke alarms, but one should be fitted within the kitchen.

Northern Ireland Private Rented Homes Regulations 1st September 2024

• Local authority or privately rented properties
• All rented homes (local authority or privately rented) must be fitted with interlinked smoke & heat alarms.
• Smoke alarms can be mains powered, with a battery backup, or powered with a 10year tamperproof battery.
• A smoke alarms should be fitted in the following locations -
• The main living room or room used most during the day
• On each hallway or landing on all levels
• In a loft conversion
• In a garage conversion
• Heat alarms can be mains powered, with a battery backup, or powered with a 10year tamperproof battery.
• A heat alarms should be fitted in the kitchen
• Carbon Monoxide alarms should be fitted in each of the following areas -
• Every Room with a carbon-fueled device e.g. boiler, fire , heater or flue. Unless the appliance is used solely for cooking.
• If the boiler is in a cupboard, mount the carbon monoxide alarm on the wall outside the cupboard, no more than 300mm away from the cupboard door.
• Owner occupied homes
• There are no regulations for owner occupied homes. However it is recommended the following alarms are fitted for the safety of your home and family -
• Alarms can be Mains Powered, with a battery backup, Grade D1, or battery powered with a 10year tamperproof battery.
li>A smoke alarms should be fitted in the following locations -
• The main living room or room used most during the day
• On each hallway or landing on all levels
• In a loft conversion
• In a garage conversion
• Heat alarms can be mains powered, with a battery backup, or powered with a 10year tamperproof battery.
• A heat alarms should be fitted in the kitchen
• Carbon Monoxide alarms should be fitted in each of the following areas -
• Every Room with a carbon-fueled device e.g. boiler, fire , heater or flue. Unless the appliance is used solely for cooking.
• If the boiler is in a cupboard, mount the carbon monoxide alarm on the wall outside the cupboard, no more than 300mm away from the cupboard door.

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Smoke Alarms should be mounted on the ceiling following these rules -

• As central as possible
• At least 300mm away from the wall
• In the living room - No more than 7.5 metres from any point on the ceiling. If this is not possible then additional alarms should be used.
• In the hallway/landing - No more than 3 metres away from each bedroom door.
• In the hallway/landing - No more than 7 metres away from the living room & kitchen door.
• On a sloping ceiling - No more than 600mm down from the apex.
• Do not locate smoke alarms directly above heaters or fireplaces to avoid nuisance alarms.

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A Heat Alarm should be fitted in the kitchen
Heat Alarms should be mounted on the ceiling following these rules -

• As central as possible
• At least 300mm away from the wall
• No more than 5.3 metres from any point on the ceilingIf this is not possible then additional alarms should be used.
• On a sloping ceiling - No more than 150mm down from the apex.

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A Carbon Monoxide Alarm should be fitted in each of the following areas -

• Every Room with a carbon-fuelled device e.g. boiler, fire , heater or flue. Unless the apliance is used solely for cooking.
• If the boiler is in a cupboard, mount the carbon monoxide alarm on the wall outside the cupboard, no more than 300mm away from the cupboard door.

Carbon Monoxide Alarms should be mounted on the wall following these rules -

• As least 150mm below the ceiling
• Higher than any door or window

InterAlarms can help

InterAlarms can provide an interlinked smoke and heat alarm system in your home. Please complete our enquiry form here and we will provide a quote for a complete safety system for your home.
Alternatively we provide do-it-yourself kits here. These are supplied pre-linked with fully fitting instructions.