A reminder from the provincial Buildings Committee that, as notified in April last year, as from February 2022 the Scottish Government is introducing new regulations covering smoke and heat alarms in domestic buildings, including rectories.

To summarise there should be:

• One smoke alarm installed in the room most frequently used for general daytime living purposes
• One smoke alarm in every circulation space on each storey, such as hallways and landings
• One heat alarm installed in every kitchen

All alarms should be ceiling mounted and interlinked, that means when one alarm is activated all alarms will sound.

Where there is a carbon-fuelled appliance (such as boilers, fires (including open fires) and heaters) or a flue, a carbon monoxide detector is also required which does not need to be linked to the fire alarms.

Further details can be found at https://www.gov.scot/publications/fire-and-smoke-alarms-in-scottish-homes/

Battery operated systems can be purchased for around £250. Mains systems will need to be installed by a qualified electrician.

Failure to install the system may invalidate building insurance.

Kind regards

Donald Walker

Director of Communications

Scottish Episcopal Church

07736 042 850