Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Policy

Our Commitment

We are committed to:

1. Compliance — Meeting all statutory requirements for smoke and CO alarm provision
2. Life Safety — Ensuring alarms are installed, working, and provide effective protection
3. Quality — Installing alarms that meet relevant standards and specifications
4. Reliability — Maintaining alarms to ensure they work when needed
5. Responsiveness — Replacing faulty alarms promptly
6. Documentation — Maintaining accurate records of all alarm work
7. Education — Advising residents on alarm use and testing

Legal Framework

The Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (Amendment) Regulations 2022

These regulations apply to all rented properties in England (social and private) and require landlords to:

Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005

The RRO applies to common parts of residential buildings and requires:

• Suitable fire detection appropriate to the risk
• Maintenance in efficient working order
• Testing at appropriate intervals
• Documentation of testing and maintenance

Building Regulations Approved Document B

Specifies smoke alarm requirements for new builds and material alterations:

BS 5839 Fire Detection and Fire Alarm Systems

Other Relevant Legislation

Scope

This policy covers:

• All residential properties where we provide maintenance services
• Social housing, private rented sector, and leasehold properties
• Smoke alarms (ionisation, optical, heat, multi-sensor)
• Carbon monoxide alarms
• Combined smoke and CO alarms
• Domestic and communal detection systems
• Installation, testing, maintenance, and replacement

Smoke Alarm Requirements

Minimum Legal Requirement (Rented Properties)

At least one smoke alarm on each storey that contains a habitable room.

Habitable rooms include:

• Living rooms
• Bedrooms
• Kitchens (where used as living space)
• Studies
• Dining rooms

Non-habitable rooms (don’t count):

• Bathrooms
• Toilets
• Hallways (but alarms often best placed here)
• Landings
• Utility rooms

Best Practice Positioning (BS 5839-6)

Where NOT to Install

Alarm Types

Power Supply Categories (BS 5839-6)

Coverage Categories (BS 5839-6)

Interlinking

Why interlink?

• When one alarm activates, all alarms sound
• Ensures residents are alerted wherever they are
• Essential for multi-storey properties
• Required for new builds and loft conversions

Interlinking methods:

• Hardwired (cable between alarms)
• Radio frequency (wireless)
• Hybrid (hardwired base units with RF link)

Carbon Monoxide Alarm Requirements

Legal Requirement (Rented Properties)

A carbon monoxide alarm must be installed in any room containing a fixed combustion appliance (excluding gas cookers).

Fixed combustion appliances include:

Positioning

Where NOT to Install

CO Alarm Standards

CO alarms must comply with:

• BS EN 50291-1 — Electrical apparatus for CO detection (general)
• BS EN 50291-2 — Electrical apparatus for CO detection (specific rooms)
• Kitemark or equivalent — Third-party certification

CO Alarm Types

Recommendation: Sealed 10-year lithium battery or mains-powered with battery backup.

Installation Standards

General Installation Requirements

Smoke Alarm Installation

Ceiling mounting (preferred):

1. Position in centre of room/hallway or 300mm from walls
2. Avoid dead air spaces and obstructions
3. Mark fixing position
4. Drill and plug (if required)
5. Fix base plate securely
6. Connect mains supply (if applicable)
7. Attach alarm to base plate
8. Test alarm function
9. Link to other alarms (if applicable)
10. Test interlinking
11. Inform resident and demonstrate test

Wall mounting (if ceiling not possible):

1. Position 150-300mm below ceiling
2. Ensure sensor is not obstructed
3. Follow ceiling mounting process

CO Alarm Installation

1. Identify all rooms with fixed combustion appliances
2. Position 1-3 metres from appliance
3. Mount at correct height (1-3m from floor)
4. Fix securely to wall or ceiling
5. Test alarm function
6. Inform resident and demonstrate test
7. Provide CO safety advice

Mains-Powered Installation

Mains-powered alarms must be installed by a competent person:

• Permanent live connection (not switched)
• Dedicated circuit or connection to lighting circuit
• Cable protection as required
• Comply with BS 7671 (IET Wiring Regulations)
• Part P notification if required

Testing Requirements

Testing at Start of Tenancy

Legal requirement: Alarms must be in working order at the start of each new tenancy.

Routine Testing (Resident Responsibility)

Residents should test alarms regularly:

Testing method:

• Press and hold test button until alarm sounds
• If alarm doesn’t sound, report immediately

Annual Testing (Landlord/Service Visit)

Testing During Other Visits

All operatives visiting properties should:

• Note presence/absence of smoke and CO alarms
• Report any obvious defects or missing alarms
• Test alarms if within scope of work
• Record observations

Maintenance

Smoke Alarm Maintenance

CO Alarm Maintenance

Cleaning

Dust and debris can prevent alarms working:

• Vacuum around vents gently
• Do not paint alarms
• Do not use cleaning sprays or solvents
• Do not submerge in water

When to Replace

Expiry and Replacement Lifecycle

Note: Always check manufacturer’s guidance — expiry date should be marked on the alarm.

Response to Faults

Fault Reporting

Residents can report alarm faults via:

• Telephone: [Phone number]
• Email: [Email address]
• Online: [Portal]
• App: [If applicable]

Response Timescales

Replacement Process

1. Receive fault report
2. Raise job with appropriate priority
3. Attend property with replacement alarm
4. Remove faulty alarm
5. Install new alarm (like-for-like or upgrade)
6. Test new alarm
7. Test any linked alarms
8. Instruct resident on testing
9. Complete documentation
10. Dispose of old alarm appropriately

False Alarms

Causes of False Alarms

Managing False Alarms

Resident Actions (False Alarm)

Advise residents:

• Do not remove batteries or disconnect alarm
• Ventilate the area (open windows)
• Press hush/silence button if available
• Wait for alarm to reset
• If alarm sounds again (no obvious cause), report it
• Never disable or remove alarms

Communal Areas

Detection in Common Parts

Communal areas (hallways, stairwells, landings) in blocks of flats may require:

Responsibilities

Testing in Communal Areas

Documentation

Installation Records

For each alarm installed, record:

Testing Records

Certificates

We can provide clients with:

• Smoke and CO Alarm Installation Certificate
• Annual Test Certificate
• Compliance Statement

Record Retention

Resident Communication

Information for Residents

We provide residents with:

Resident Advice Card

Your Smoke and CO Alarms

✓ Test smoke alarms weekly — press and hold the test button ✓ Test CO alarms monthly — press and hold the test button ✓ If the alarm chirps, the battery may be low — report it ✓ If the alarm doesn’t sound when tested — report it immediately ✓ Never remove batteries or disconnect alarms ✓ Never cover or paint alarms

If Your Smoke Alarm Sounds:

1. Alert everyone in the property
2. Get out and stay out
3. Call 999
4. Do not re-enter until fire service says it’s safe

If Your CO Alarm Sounds:

1. Stop using all fuel-burning appliances
2. Open windows and doors to ventilate
3. Get everyone outside into fresh air
4. Call the Gas Emergency Line: 0800 111 999
5. Do not re-enter until advised safe
6. Seek medical attention if anyone feels unwell

Carbon Monoxide Safety

The Danger of CO

Carbon monoxide (CO) is:

• Colourless, odourless, tasteless — you cannot detect it without an alarm
• Produced by incomplete combustion of fuels (gas, oil, wood, coal)
• Potentially fatal — causes around 30 deaths per year in the UK
• A cause of long-term health effects even at low levels

Symptoms of CO Poisoning

Key indicator: Symptoms improve when away from the property.

Sources of CO

CO Response Procedure

If CO alarm sounds:

1. Stop — Turn off all fuel-burning appliances if safe to do so
2. Ventilate — Open all windows and doors
3. Evacuate — Get everyone outside into fresh air
4. Call — Gas Emergency Line 0800 111 999 (for gas) or 999 (if unwell)
5. Do not re-enter — Until appliances have been checked by Gas Safe engineer
6. Medical attention — If anyone has symptoms, attend A&E and inform them of possible CO exposure

Our Response to CO Incidents

Special Circumstances

HMOs (Houses in Multiple Occupation)

Enhanced requirements may apply:

Sheltered Housing and Extra Care

Loft Conversions

Building Regulations require:

• Upgrade to LD2 system (escape routes + high-risk rooms)
• Mains-powered interlinked alarms with battery backup
• Protection to new room and escape route

Deaf and Hard of Hearing Residents

Alternative alerting devices:

Roles and Responsibilities

All Services 4U

Our Clients (Landlords)

Landlords retain responsibility for:

• Ensuring alarms are installed as required by law
• Ensuring alarms are in working order at start of tenancy
• Repairing or replacing alarms when notified of fault
• Keeping records of compliance
• Responding to resident reports

We support clients by delivering compliant services.

Residents

Residents are responsible for:

• Testing alarms regularly (weekly smoke, monthly CO)
• Reporting faults promptly
• Not tampering with, removing, or disabling alarms
• Allowing access for maintenance
• Following advice if alarm sounds

Training and Competence

Competence Requirements

Training Programme

Performance Monitoring

Key Performance Indicators

Reporting

Policy Review

This policy is reviewed annually and updated to reflect:

• Changes in legislation and regulations
• Changes in British Standards
• Manufacturer guidance updates
• Lessons learned from incidents
• Client requirements
• Industry best practice

Related Policies and Procedures

This policy should be read in conjunction with:

• Fire Safety Policy
• Gas Safety Policy
• Electrical Safety Policy
• Awaab’s Law Compliance Policy
• Health and Safety Policy
• Safeguarding Policy

Approval

This Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm Policy has been approved by the Managing Director.

Signed:

[Name] Managing Director All Services 4U

Date: [Date]

Review Date: [Date + 1 year]

Contact

Service Enquiries Email: service@allservices4u.co.uk Phone: [Phone number]

Emergency Response (24-hour) Phone: [Emergency number]

Gas Emergency (National Grid) Phone: 0800 111 999

Quick Reference

Legal Requirements (Rented Properties)

Response Times

Testing Frequency

If CO Alarm Sounds

1. Stop using appliances
2. Open windows and doors
3. Get everyone outside
4. Call 0800 111 999
5. Do not re-enter until safe
6. Seek medical attention if unwell

All Services 4U is committed to protecting residents through effective smoke and carbon monoxide detection. We support our clients to meet their legal obligations and keep residents safe.