Households struggling to afford mandatory interlinked alarm systems – Lib Dems

Low-income households are struggling to meet the cost of new fire alarm regulations in Scotland – with almost 30% of homes not meeting the basic requirements, according to the Liberal Democrats.

The fire regulations were introduced in February 2022, after the Grenfell Tower blaze in 2017, which killed 72 people in west London.

Scottish Government requirements specify that every home must have an interlinked heat and smoke alarm system, including carbon monoxide, to meet a legal standard for habitation.

One website estimated the average cost for an interlinked fire alarm system installation in a two-bedroom flat in Glasgow could be about £470.

Another website showed a DIY installation bundle was estimated to cost around £220 excluding VAT for three smoke alarms, a heat alarm and carbon monoxide detector.

Scottish Liberal Democrat communities spokesperson Willie Rennie MSP called on SNP ministers to ramp up support – as he revealed 29% of households are not meeting the regulations.

Under legal regulations introduced on February 1 2022, every home is legally required to have an interlinked fire and smoke alarm system which is included in assessment of whether a house meets the Tolerable Standard – defined as “a level of repair your property must meet to make it fit for a person to live in”.

The Scottish Housing Condition Survey from 2022 revealed that when including new criteria on smoke, heat and carbon monoxide alarms, 29% of homes fall below the Tolerable Standard.

In 2019, before the fire alarm criteria were included, the proportion of homes failing to meet the standard was 2%.

Undated file photo of a sign on the hoarding around Grenfell Tower – the Scottish Government introduced regulations around fire alarms in 2022 as a result of the fatal blaze (Aaron Chown/PA Wire). PA Media

The date of implementation for these regulations was previously delayed for a year due to the pandemic.

However, the Lib Dems said that during that delay and since, “the government has failed to properly support households on low income with the equipment costs” and to make people aware of what is currently available.

Mr Rennie said: “The Scottish Government made interlinked fire alarms a legal requirement, but they haven’t done enough to promote these changes or support people in installing the new systems.

“For many, it represents another significant cost being piled onto households.

“It’s worrying to see such a big rise in the number of households falling below the tolerable standard, but it’s even more worrying that the government seem to be doing very little to fix it.

“The SNP don’t seem to be bothered with such a large shortfall. I want to see ministers being far more proactive in providing urgent support for households who have been unable to install the correct systems.”

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “Ahead of the legislation coming into force, the Scottish Government has provided £1.1m through Care and Repair Scotland to help disabled and older people install interconnected alarms, in addition to the £1m provided to the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service to install alarms in owner-occupied homes identified as being at highest risk. This recognised that some people may not be able to meet installation costs.

“Data from 2022 shows the majority of homes – including at least 94% of socially rented properties – had interlinked fire alarms, which can protect lives and properties. The duty rests with local authorities to ensure homes in their area are up to standard, including the requirement on fire and smoke alarms.”