Click here to view the Interlinked Heat & Smoke alarm leaflet.
Since February 2022, safety standards require interlinked fire and smoke alarms throughout the home. This will alert you more quickly to danger and help save lives.
We can help older and disabled Edinburgh residents to meet the requirements by providing and installing alarms that comply with the new guidelines. We cover the Edinburgh City Council catchment area which does not include Midlothian, West Lothian or East Lothian.
The new fire safety standard requires:
- One smoke alarm installed in the room most frequently used for general daytime living purposes – this may be your living room.
- One smoke alarm in every circulation space on each storey, such as hallways and landings.
- One heat alarm installed in every kitchen.
- All alarms should be ceiling mounted and interlinked.
- Where there is a carbon-fuelled appliance such a gas boiler, an open fire or a gas heater present, a carbon monoxide detector is also required which does not need to be linked to the fire alarms.
How can we help?
Care & Repair Edinburgh can provide and install suitable wireless interlinked smoke and heat alarms. These come with a 5-year manufacturer’s guarantee and a 10-year battery life. We can also supply and fit carbon monoxide detectors if required.
We can advise you on how many alarms you will require and where they should be positioned depending on the size of your property.
- If you live in a single-storey property, you will need two smoke alarms and one heat alarm. If you have a carbon fuelled appliance like a boiler, you will also need a carbon monoxide detector.
- A double-storey property will need three smoke alarms and one heat alarm. If you have a carbon fuelled appliance like a boiler, you will also need a carbon monoxide detector.
Costs are £299 for a single storey property (2 smoke + 1 heat alarm) or £375 for a double storey property (3 smoke + 1 heat alarm), which would be payable in advance. Additional alarms would be charged for at unit price.
If you wish to request an installation, please do so at https://www.cre.scot/request-a-service/
Funding available
There is some funding available to assist people who receive Pension Credit (Guarantee Credit), or who receive Universal Credit (UC) with the Limited Capability for Work and Work-Related Activity (LCWRA) element. Please note that it must be both UC and LCWRA together — UC on its own does not qualify. Live in and own their home that has a Council Tax banding of A-C. There should be no other earning adult in the household.
What does this mean?
- Universal Credit (UC) is a benefit for people on a low income or who are out of work.
- LCWRA (Limited Capability for Work and Work-Related Activity) is an additional element within UC for people whose health condition or disability means they are not required to work or prepare for work.
- To be eligible, you must be receiving the LCWRA element as part of your UC award.
How to provide proof:
You can show us proof in any of the following ways:
- A screenshot or photo from your Universal Credit journal showing the LCWRA element in your monthly breakdown.
- A recent UC award letter that clearly lists the LCWRA element.
- For Pension Credit (Guarantee Credit), a Pension Credit award letter or recent official DWP correspondence confirming entitlement.
If you’re unsure what to send, we’re happy to help — just get in touch. Email- recpetion@cre.scot
FAQs
What if I rent?
Private landlords are responsible for the installation of alarms.
What should I do with my old alarms?
Most alarms can be recycled at home or at a recycling centre.
Will my home insurance be affected?
Contact your insurer to check if the new fire alarm requirements are specified in your policy?
General guidance on interlinked fire alarms can be found at www.mygov.scot/firealarms
Request our Interlinked alarms service
