This is the definitive code of practice to which Architects, Building Professionals, Enforcing Authorities, Landlords and Installers should refer for recommendations on the design, installation and use of smoke and heat alarms in the majority of domestic dwellings. Landlords in both the public and private sector are considered to have a duty of care to fit compliant smoke and heat alarms.

New Build Properties & Materially Altered Dwellings
One to three storeys - Grade D, LD2

• Mains alarms with battery back-up
• Optical smoke alarms in circulation spaces - hallways & landings e.g. Ei146 or Ei166 with or without RadioLINK
• Heat alarm in the kitchen e.g. Ei144 or Ei164 with or without RadioLINK
• Smoke alarm or heat alarm as best suited for the particular circumstance (see page 4 for definitions and usage), in the main living room
• All alarms should be interconnected
• The sound pressure level of the alarm signal measured at the doorway of each bedroom with the door open should be at least 85dB(A)

Existing Tenanted Properties
Two and three storey - Grade D, LD3

• Mains alarms with battery back-up
• Optical alarms in circulation spaces - hallways & landings e.g. Ei146 or Ei166 with or without RadioLINK
• If a fire risk assessment shows the property or occupier to be a high fire risk, increase the number of alarms installed to meet the risk - e.g. follow new build recommendations for an LD2 installation
• All alarms should be interconnected
• The sound pressure level of the alarm signal measured at the doorway of each bedroom with the door open should be at least 85dB(A)

Single storey - Grade F, LD3

• Battery powered with a minimum battery life of 5 years e.g. Ei 10 year alarm
• Optical smoke alarm in circulation spaces - hallway e.g. Ei3105TYCH
• If a fire risk assessment identifies a concern that the occupier cannot or may not replace a battery, use mains alarms or mains with battery back-up
• If a fire risk assessment shows the property or occupier to be a high fire risk, increase the number of alarms installed to meet the risk - e.g. follow new build recommendations for an LD2 installation

System Grades and Categories
Six different grades of fire detection systems are defined and - generally speaking - the greater the fire risk the more comprehensive the system should be. Briefly, the Grades are as follows:

GRADE A - A full system with control and indicating equipment installed to BS 5839: Part 1
GRADE B - Detectors and sounders using simpler specified equipment
GRADE C - Detectors and sounders or alarms with central control
GRADE D - Mains powered alarms with an integral stand-by power supply
GRADE E - Mains powered alarms with no stand-by power supply
GRADE F - Battery powered alarms

Three different categories of life protection systems are defined. Briefly
these are (starting at the highest):

LD1 - Alarms in all circulation spaces that form part of escape routes and all areas where a fire might start, but not bathrooms, shower rooms or toilets
LD2 - Alarms in all circulation spaces that form part of escape routes and rooms or areas that present a high fire risk
LD3 - Alarms in circulation spaces that form part of escape routes\

The Code emphasises that no one type of alarm is most suitable for all
applications. Consideration must be given to the most suitable type of
detection - optical, ionisation and heat.

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) requirements are currently Grade E, LD3.

A consultation document dated July 2005 proposes the following new requirements which, if implemented, are expected to come into force in early 2006.

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, Ei166
• Heat alarm to be installed in the kitchen where there is no door separating the kitchen from the circulation space, e.g. Ei144, Ei164
• A smoke alarm should also be fitted in the main (largest) bedroom to meet audibility requirements
• 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

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