Information on smoke detectors and fire safety visits to ensure the safety of your home.
By February 2022, every home in Scotland is required by law to have interlinked fire alarms. The alarms connect to each other so that when one goes off, they all go off - helping everyone to react quickly and save lives.
You might not hear the alarm closest to the fire if you are somewhere else in the house. An interlinked system alerts you to danger wherever you are in the home.
There are two different types of interlinked alarms:
- Sealed long-life battery alarms, which you can fit yourself.
- Mains wired alarms, which should be installed by a qualified electrician.
Both meet the new fire safety standard. And both are linked by radio frequency without the need for WiFi.
Every home needs:
- 1 smoke alarm in the room where you spend most of the day (usually the livening room)
- 1 smoke alarm on every floor, either in the hallway or on the landing
- 1 heat detector in the kitchen
If your home has a carbon fuelled appliance like a boiler, heater, or flue, you will also need a separate carbon monoxide detector. These do not have to be linked to the other alarms.
More detailed information about the new regulations is available on the Scottish Government website.
Council properties
In response to the new legislation, Perth & Kinross Council is currently carrying out a programme of work to upgrade smoke detectors in tenants' homes. You can find more information about this work on our webpage..
Home fire safety visit
Tayside Fire and Rescue offer all residents of Perth and Kinross a free home safety visit to look at all areas of accident and fire risk within your home.
During the visit information is provided on the safe use and disposal of smoking materials, candles, heaters, electric blankets and dangerous substances. Help will also be given to prepare an escape plan for getting out of your home in the event of a fire.
You can contact the service by:
- Freephone telephone number 0800 0731 999
- Text 'FIRE' to 80800
- Visiting the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (opens new window) website
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