In the event of a fire, a fire alarm is usually one of the first indicators that there is something wrong. But are fire alarms required by law? 

Most households feel safer and more comfortable if their home is fitted with a working fire alarm, so it's hard to imagine a world without these helpful warnings. According to the Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service, you're twice as likely to die in a fire if you don't have a smoke alarm that works and 90 people die each year because their smoke alarm battery was flat or missing. 

Are fire alarms required by law?

If you're a landlord, yes. Fire alarms are required by law within all of your properties. In the Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (England) Regulations 2015, all private sector landlords are required to have at least one smoke alarm installed on every storey of their property.

Landlords must also ensure the fire alarms work at the start of each new tenancy. Furthermore, each room which contains a solid fuel burning appliance, like a wood burning stove or a coal fire, must be fitted with a carbon monoxide alarm. 

As it has past 1st of October 2015, all Landlords are now legally required to have working fire and carbon monoxide alarm systems installed in their rented accommodation. 

If you own a business, it is also stated in the UK fire alarm regulations that all business premises much have an appropriate fire detection system. If any Landlords or Business Owners do not comply with these rules, they will face a fine.

Read the full Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (England) Regulations 2015. 

Do you need a fire alarm in your own home?

Though it is not illegal to be without a fire alarm in your home, it could affect your home insurance. If you have a fire alarm, many home insurance plans may provide a small discount on the cost of your cover.

However, if you tell your insurer that you have working fire alarms and it is found that they were not working when the fire happened, your payout may be reduced. They may even turn your claim down altogether. 

Therefore, whether you're letting, working, renting or a homeowner, it is advisable to always have a working fire alarm fitted in your premises. 

Where can I get a fire alarm? 

Here at IDS Security Systems, we specialise in fitting and supplying to latest fire detection technology. We have 20+ years of experience with fire alarm systems, and we provide a call our engineering service that is available around-the-clock. 

Our alarm systems include the following.

• Conventional Fire Alarms
• Addressable Fire Alarm Systems
• Wireless Fire Alarm Systems

You can read more about our alarm systems here. 

If you have any questions or would like to discuss our fire alarms further, you can contact us here or get in touch on 02920 753 251.