Making sure your fire safety systems are up to standards saves lives, protects your building, and ensures you’re compliant with government regulations. However, with so many types of alarm systems and property requirements, it can be hard to tell which system is right for you.

To make the right decision, you need all the facts. That’s why we at Sovereign Fire & Security have put together this article detailing the latest regulations for fire safety, innovations in smoke detection technologies, and the recent 2022 regulation changes for rented properties and landlords.

Protect your building and occupants with a comprehensive fire safety system by getting in touch.

What are the Regulations for Fire Safety in 2023?

Fire alarm systems are an important aspect of fire safety. They use smoke detectors to help detect the presence of a fire and alert occupants, giving them enough time to react and escape safely.

To ensure smoke detectors meet certain standards there are strict government requirements detailing how smoke detectors must be installed and maintained.

Fire Alarms Grades and Categories

Fire alarms use specific grades and categorisation for their smoke detection requirements. The grades are broken down into sections represented by letters ranging from A to F, while the categories are broken down into two main categories.

Grades. The grades D-F are the lower-tier grades and are typically assigned for smoke detection and fire alarm systems that are most suitable for residential/domestic properties. A-C, on the other hand, are higher grade and are therefore more suitable for businesses and commercial use.

Categories. The two main categories for smoke detectors and fire alarms are property (P) and life (L). The property category mainly protects the building and is typically a requirement to install at the request of an insurance company. The life category protects the occupants and pertains to more comprehensive systems than the property category.

Who Needs a Fire Alarm System?

The UK regulations state all businesses must have an appropriate fire detection system. But what does this actually mean?

Comprehensive fire safety systems include detection on each floor or in each room with a fire risk. It also includes elements such as signage, emergency lighting, and advanced alarm systems to ensure occupants can find their way to safety in the event of a fire.

You might need a more comprehensive smoke detection and fire alarm system if:

• It’s hard to spot a fire breaking out or hear someone shouting “fire”.
• Your building is large or has multiple stories.
• You have vulnerable occupants such as in care homes and hospitals.
• Your building stores or handles chemicals and substances with a high fire risk.
• You have or use cooking facilities.

Unless your building contains none of the above, having a broader fire safety system is not just good practice – it can even be a legal requirement. Speak with an expert at Sovereign to receive an assessment of the fire safety needs for your building.

Mixed-use buildings have specific fire safety requirements – find out more in our article >

Innovations in Fire Alarms and Smoke Detection

As well as government regulations, keeping up with the latest innovations in the field of fire safety can give you access to cutting edge protection against fire. One key invention that has become more popular as technology has progressed is video smoke detection.

What is Video Smoke Detection?

A video smoke detection (VSD) system uses smoke recognition software to turn cameras into smoke detectors. The software scans an image and determines whether or not smoke is present based on a number of properties like brightness, shape, motion, and more.

Selecting the right camera to use for a VSD system is crucial as certain light levels are required to ensure accurate readings. Low-light cameras are a good choice for this as they require lower amounts of light to detect smoke than other models.

Some VSD systems can even make use of infrared cameras, increasing their accuracy further. Choosing the correct VSD system for you can be done by consulting with a fire and security firm.

The Benefits of Video Smoke Detectors

Implementing a video smoke detection (VSD) system comes with a number of benefits to businesses, landlords, and property developers. Some of the key advantages of VSDs are:

• Suitable for outdoor locations.
• Fast detection for large areas.
• Increased situational awareness for personnel from live video of the site of the fire.
• Easier assessment for the cause of a fire due to archivable footage of the scene.

Due to their many benefits, VSDs are a useful tool for a wide variety of situations. These can include:

• Commercial buildings.
• Rail networks.
• Large, open, outdoor areas such as forests and parks.
• Oil rigs and gas installations.

While a video smoke detector isn’t necessary for every building, it can be a useful addition in many scenarios – ensuring better protection and response times in the event of a fire.

See our full list of Fire & Life Safety Components to find out more about our services >

Smoke Detector Requirements for Landlords

UK regulations on smoke and carbon monoxide detectors changed in 2022 to include further guidelines for more comprehensive fire safety. For landlords and responsible persons in flats, private housing, and multi-occupancy buildings, these requirements are crucial to comply with both legally and for safety.

The 2022 Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Alarm UK Regulations

There is more detailed guidance available for the government regulations, but we’ve summarised the key points to give you the information you need at a glance.

• Type of Smoke Alarm. There is no requirement for a smoke alarm to be battery- or mains-powered, but it is recommended that the type is in line with the requirements of the building and its tenants.
• Carbon Monoxide Alarms. These are only required in properties that have a fuel-burning source or fixed combustion appliance, excluding gas cookers.
• Battery Replacement. While a landlord is responsible for the repair of an alarm, the tenant is typically responsible for the replacement of batteries. This does not require specialised skills, and testing of smoke detectors should be explained or demonstrated to tenants based on the manufacturer’s instructions. External companies should also be used to perform more comprehensive site-wide tests of the overall fire security system.
• Heat Detectors. These do not serve as a replacement for smoke detectors or fire alarm systems.

These regulations apply to both social and private rented tenancies. Examples of properties excluded from this are:

• Student halls of residence
• Care homes
• Hotels and refuges
• Hospitals and hospices

How do I Comply with the UK Smoke Detector Requirements?

The best way to ensure you’re compliant with the UK smoke and carbon monoxide detection requirements is to make use of accredited fire safety experts.

At Sovereign, we offer a full range of services related to fire safety systems including consultation, design, installation, surveillance, and maintenance. This allows us to choose the best system for your purposes, fit it to your building, and ensure consistent uptime for maximum fire safety.

We have a numerous certifications and memberships, meaning you can trust us to provide you with the best in fire system implementation, installation, and maintenance. Find out more by getting in touch today.

Read on with our complete guide to smoke detection requirements >

Regulatory Compliance and the Latest Innovations from Sovereign

Innovations in fire safety systems like smoke detection and alarms give your occupants the best chances of making it to safety, while adhering to regulations protects your property and makes sure you’re following the law.

Ensure your building is compliant with government regulations on fire safety. Get in touch with the team at Sovereign, check out our case studies to see our work, or educate yourself further with some related articles.

Find out more about the importance of up-to-date fire safety systems with our article on end-of-life for fire alarms >

Looking for work in Fire & Security? Check our article on jobs with Sovereign >