Does anyone have any experience of the changes to the UK Fire Regulatory Reform that came into effect in 2023?

[Julie5899]

I have all the details relating to the changes but wanted to ask what changes anyone had made to their existing fire alarm system.  Does each smoke detector need to be linked throughout the entire property?

[Mike-And-Jane0 · Accepted solution]

@Julie5899 Gov.uk has a guidance document but if it is a single listing then all the smoke alarms should be linked and mains powered. We have bought radio linked alarms as running wires would be too disruptive.

[Julie5899]

Thank you so much for your reply - that was our understanding to and have come to the same conclusion about a radio system - but it is great to hear your thoughts

Many thanks 

Julie

[Ruth413]

@Mike-And-Jane0   Is there any chance you can provide me with what brand you bought.  The ones we installed, I am concerned with and am thinking about replacing them.  

Many thanks 

[Mike-And-Jane0]

@Ruth413 we bought Aico radio bases, smoke and heat alarms. We used to have Fireangel but these had a habit of false alarms. Whilst Fireangel will replace their alarms for free its the disruption to our guests that was unacceptable.

Buying the alarms online is way cheaper than Toolstation or Screwfix (or it was 6 months ago)

[Ruth413]

@Mike-And-Jane0.  Thanks so much.  The problem I am having is that because the cottage is so tiny even if someone puts toast in the toaster it is then setting off all the alarms.  And yes, very annoying for the guests.  We use to just have a heat alarm in the kitchen because of this and now I am not sure whether this allowed, but thank you for the recommendation.

[Helen427]

Smoke alarms may be helpful however what happens and how do you address stopping these alarms when it's burnt toast?

Are they battery operated @Julie5899 ?

Will you have to grab a tea towel and flick it in front of them running from room to room up and down stairs all to stop the alarm ringing at the same time if it's a false alarm or very minor incident as mentioned?

Just a thought and wondering how multiple ones connected operate?

Do you have to still have an outside Water Tap attached to your home with a hose attached?

That was always 101 for all Buildings when they were built to help put out fires, especially those with wooden structures.

They don't seem to build homes / properties like they used to with an outside Tap and house attached to the house which is a concern.

[Mike-And-Jane0]

@Helen427 We use heat alarms for kitchens which goes a long way to negate the cooking smoke issues.