2Where the smoke alarm is defective in manufacture

3Where the smoke alarm is located where it cannot operate

4When there are not enough smoke alarms

5Where the source of power fails

6Where the source of power for the smoke alarm is removed

7When the smoke alarm has been incorrectly installed

8Where the smoke alarm has been damaged during installation

9Where the smoke alarm has been damaged as a result of malice

10Where the smoke alarm has been removed from the property

No matter how circumspect the landlord is, however, there is no cast iron guarantee that they can fully protect themselves against all possible liability claims.

However, with regards to fire safety, the most fundamental step they can take now is to install at least a Grade D mains powered system. Failure to do so, for whatever reason, would simply be indefensible if and when a case came to court.

‘Duty of care’ falls squarely upon the landlord. Dr Ann Everton says that, increasingly, landlords are under pressure to install smoke alarms to avoid the accusation that they are ‘failing to fulfil their duty of care towards their tenants’. This is particularly the case for local authorities who, in enforcing checks on private landlords, will have to ask themselves if they too meet the required standards!

It is clear that installing a battery powered smoke alarm unit and thinking that it is sufficient to protect the tenant is an outdated notion. Moreover, even mains powered systems without a reliable long term stand-by cannot be relied upon to provide adequate protection, as landlords cannot guarantee that tenants will never have their power cut off. The implication is clear that some form of stand-by supply (Grade D) is therefore required in tenanted properties.

With BS 5839: Pt.6 now reaching its tenth birthday, it is well established and recognised. There is now every reason to assume that it has significantly more weight behind it than when it was first introduced.

RAPID

REFERENCE GUIDE

Ionisation Smoke Alarms

Respond quickly to fast flaming fires, less sensitive to larger smoke particles

Can be prone to false alarms from cooking vapours so should not be located near to kitchens

Suitable for general use, appropriate for dining and living rooms and areas where flaming fires could rapidly block an escape route

Optical Smoke Alarms

Sensitive to larger smoke particles, more responsive to smouldering fires from foam filled furniture, bedding or burning PVC wiring

Less vulnerable to false alarms from cooking vapours but more prone to false alarm from dust or insect ingress

Suitable for general use but most appropriate for circulation areas such as hallways and near kitchens

Heat Alarms

Fixed temperature type, temperature range 54° - 62°C. Not prone to false alarms from dust or vapours, but generally less sensitive than smoke alarms

For use in areas where a conventional smoke alarm is not suitable e.g. kitchens, garages and perhaps living and dining rooms, but

not circulation areas

Must be interconnected with smoke alarms to provide adequate early fire warning

LOCATION

Smoke alarms - within 7.5m of any door to rooms where a fire is likely to start, and within 3m of bedroom doors

Heat alarms - max 5.3m from any potential source of fire

LOCATIONS TO AVOID

Do not place a Smoke Alarm in any of the following areas: bathrooms, kitchens, shower rooms, garages or other rooms where the smoke alarm may be triggered by steam, condensation, normal smoke, fumes or excessive dust. Keep the smoke alarm at least 6m away from sources of smoke or vapours that may cause nuisance alarms.

Do not place Heat Alarms in any of the following areas: bathrooms, shower rooms or other rooms where the unit may be triggered by steam or condensation.

Do not place Smoke or Heat Alarms in any of the following areas:

Places where the normal temperature can exceed 40°C or fall below 4°C e.g. attics, furnace rooms etc. Directly above ovens or kettles as the heat/steam could cause nuisance alarms

Near a decorative object, door, light fitting, window moulding etc., that may prevent smoke from entering the smoke alarm

Surfaces that are normally warmer or colder than the rest of the room (for example attic hatches, uninsulated exterior walls etc.). Temperature differences might stop smoke from reaching the unit

Next to or directly above heaters or air conditioning vents, window wall vents etc., that can change the direction of the airflow

In very high or awkward areas where it may be difficult to reach the alarm for testing

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Aico RFD manual Rapid Reference Guide, Locations to Avoid

RFD specifications

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