Fire alarms are part of Scottish building requirements. Whether you are a Landlord or a home owner it is in your interest to have your lifesaving devices tested periodically.
BS 5839-6 Fire alarms
BS 5839-6 Fire alarm systems part 6 applies to alarms typically found within a domestic dwelling. Due to a revision in building regulations any rented accommodation and new build properties are required to upgrade their fire alarm systems to a category LD2. This is applicable to any circulation areas such as hallways, communal areas ( such as lounge’s) and any areas that had cooking facilities (such as kitchens). In accordance to the manufacturer’s instructions these alarms need to be maintained periodically.
We record the recommended replacements dates of the alarms. Alarms typically require replacement 10 years from the installation date. Checking that the batteries are suitable for continued use a chirping alarm means that the battery is usually flat and will need replaced, we check that all the slots are clean and unobstructed if they are not then we will clean them, we check that the alarms are sounding from each point to check that they work individually and they are also correctly interlinked and then the one of the most important tests we turn the power off and check the alarms are operating correctly on purely the battery system the battery system is amongst the most important as this tells you if the system will function if there is power failure. Once the test is completed we will give you a certificate that can be retained and it will detail on it if there are any further actions that are required or if it is suitable for continued use.
HMO Licensing
HMO Scotland can come under two different parts of the BS 5839 regulations. The first part of the regulation is much the same as the above. The regulation comes under BS5839 part 6 but this time the system that is required is the category LD1. The category LD1 covers the following areas; Circulation spaces (such as hallways), communal areas (such as living areas), habitual areas (such as bedrooms), areas with cooking facilities (such as kitchens) and any cupboard over 3 square meters. Every area is covered by means of a smoke detector or heat detector. The tests that are carried out are similar to the LD2 system.
We record the recommended replacements dates of the alarms. They typically require replacement 10 years from the installation date. We check to make sure that the batteries are suitable for continued use (a chirping alarm means that the battery is usually flat and will need replaced). We check that all the slots are clean and unobstructed. If they are not then we will clean them. We check that the alarms are sounding from each point to check that they work individually and they are also correctly interlinked. One of the most important tests we perform is when we turn the power off and check the alarms are operating correctly on purely the battery system the battery system. This test tells you if the system will function if there is power failure. Once the test is completed we will give you a certificate that can be retained and it will detail on it if there are any further actions that are required or if it is suitable for continued use.
BS 5839 part 1
This regulation typically applies large properties where there are more than 10 alarms required or when there is a double upper property. The part 1 system is a fire alarm panel system. This can be made up of various different zones. The same rules apply as it is an HMO. It covers the following areas, circulation spaces (such as hallways), communal areas (such as living areas), habitual areas (such as bedrooms), areas with cooking facilities (such as kitchens) and any cupboard over 3 square meters. Every area is covered by means of a smoke detector, heat detector, internal sounder, external sounder and break glass points. When carrying out a test on this type of system we check the system is fully operational and that there are no fault codes at the panel. We then check that the break glasses are in the correct locations and sited next to the correct escape areas. We check that all the detectors are of the correct type and covering the correct areas.
We check that the sounders are in the correct locations. We then set the system off at various points in the property testing at least one device in each zone and at least one break glass. When setting off the zones we will check at the panel that each device is activating the correct zone as it is marked up. Upon completion you will receive a certificate that will tell you exactly what is required to bring the system up to code or if it is suitable for continued use.