By 2020 all homes in Scotland will be required to have a minimum number of smoke alarms under changes being made in the wake of the Grenfell Tower blaze.  Abertay properties currently have fire and smoke alarms fitted to current standards.  We anticipate that this new legislation will be introduced by the end of 2018.  This will lead to improved fire safety for our tenants, so Abertay want to comply ahead of the new standard becoming mandatory in 2020.

The new requirements are:

• at least one smoke alarm installed in the room most frequently used for general daytime living purposes,
• at least one smoke alarm in every circulation space on each storey, such as hallways and landings,
• at least one heat alarm installed in every kitchen,
• all alarms should be ceiling mounted, and
• all alarms should be interlinked.

The following changes to this standard are also proposed:

• to allow specified types of sealed long-life battery alarms, as well as mains-wired alarms – reflecting the availability of appropriate technology and will encourage compliance;
• to specify a maximum age of ten years for alarms; and
• to require carbon monoxide detectors in all homes.

Therefore, all tenants should expect Abertay to be in touch over the next 2 years to arrange for this work to be done.