Residential Fire Detection& Regulations ... how do they affect me?

What do Building Regulations

Demand in New Build and Materially

Altered Dwellings?

Architects,builders and installers must comply with Building
Regulations and install mains powered smoke alarms in new and
materially altered dwellings.

England & Wales

Building Regulations Approved Document B (Fire Safety) minimum
requirements are currently Grade D,LD3, but also defines that
installation should be to BS 5839 Pt.6 and therefore Grade D,LD2
is recommended.
Grade D,LD2
●
Mains alarms with battery back-up wired to a lighting circuit or a
dedicated circuit
●
Smoke alarms are required in the circulation spaces such as
hallways and landings.In general optical alarms are recommended
e.g.Ei146, Ei166RC
●
Heat alarm to be installed in the kitchen where there is no door
separating the kitchen from the circulation space, e.g. Ei144,Ei164RC
●Building extensions and room conversions,above ground floor level,
require a Grade D,LD2 system to be installed in the property
●
Smoke and heat alarms should be interconnected
●
Mains powered smoke and heat alarms may be interconnected
using radio-links
3

Service & Availability

At Aico we believe the very best alarm technology should be
accompanied by the very best support possible.We offer
unrivalled product information for end users of the product,
specifiers and installers.
On the ground we have an experienced regionally based
technical sales team,a highly trained customer service department
and a responsive sales office.Our products are distributed to the
trade locally via most electrical wholesalers throughout the UK.
Expert training and on site installation advice is readily available.

Scotland

Building Standards Technical Handbook No 2 (Fire) requirements
are currently:
Grade D,LD3
●Mains smoke alarms with battery back-up
●Smoke alarms are required in the circulation spaces,hallways
& landings
●
Smoke alarms should be interconnected
●Alarms may be interconnected using radio-links

Northern Ireland

Building Regulations (Northern Ireland) Technical Booklet E (Fire
Safety) requirements were amended in June 2005 to:
Grade D,LD2
●Mains Smoke alarms with a battery back-up
●Smoke alarms are required in the circulation spaces,hallways
& landings
●A smoke alarm is required in the ‘principal habitable room’
e.g.living room
●A heat alarm is required in every kitchen
●Loft conversions require all the above to be installed
●
Smoke and heat alarms should be interconnected
●Alarms may be interconnected using radio-links
More comprehensive information
is provided in our free 'Guide To
Residential Fire Detection'.