PKC fire alarms upgrade on track for 2022 deadline
Perth and Kinross Council is confident of meeting the deadline to install interlinking fire alarms.
By February 2022 every home in Scotland will be required to have interlinked heat and smoke alarms.
The Scottish Government brought forward the legislation after the Grenfell Tower tragedy in 2017.
Privately rented and newbuild homes are already required to meet these standards.
An average three-bedroomed house needs three smoke alarms, one heat alarm and one carbon monoxide detector at an estimated cost of around £220.
This cost is based on alarms that do not need to be installed by an electrician.
The Scottish Government is providing financial help for eligible older and disabled homeowners with installation, in partnership with Care and Repair Scotland.
This week PKC’s housing and communities convener Bob Brawn told the PA the majority of PKC-owned homes had been upgraded.
The Conservative councillor said: “The council has had a programme running for some years to upgrade fire alarms and smoke detectors in order that it can meet the deadline for the new standard which comes into force in February 2022.
“The majority of properties have now been upgraded and we are confident that they all will be completed within the time remaining. Tenants are aware of the work that has to be done and have been asked to allow access as and when required.”
A spokesperson for PKC confirmed the council was on track to meet the forthcoming deadline.
The spokesperson said: “We are making good progress in upgrading all fire alarms and smoke detectors within our properties, and are confident we will meet the February 2022 deadline.
“The programme commenced in 2015 as part of our wider central heating replacement and upgrade programme.
“Of our 7760 properties, work has been completed in over 5700 properties, the remaining properties will be completed this year ensuring all properties meet the new fire alarm and smoke detector standard.
“We are committed to providing our tenants with good quality and safe homes and have contacted all tenants directly advising them of the need for the upgrade in their homes ahead of the work.
“A fact sheet was included providing tenants with details of the need for this work and the arrangements for carrying it out.
“We would like to thank our tenants for their support and encourage them to give our contractors access to their homes to allow this important work can be carried out.”