What are the new safety standards?

Q Why are the rules changing?

A review was carried out in the wake of the tragic fire at Grenfell Tower in London, leading to stricter fire safety regulations for homes.

Q Who is responsible for implementing the changes?

Property owners are responsible for ensuring the new standards are being met, and all homes are covered by the rules.

Q What must be done to comply with the rules?

The standard requires that a smoke alarm be installed in the room most frequently used for general daytime living purposes, that there is one smoke alarm in every circulation space on each storey, such as hallways and landings, and that one heat alarm is installed in every kitchen. All alarms should be ceiling mounted and interlinked. Where there is a carbonfuelled appliance (such as boilers, fires and heaters) or a flue, a carbon monoxide detector is also required which does not need to be

linked to the fire alarms.

Q When does the new standard come into force? Homeowners and landlords did have until February to comply with the rules, but the Scottish Government is now considering a delay.

Q How much would it cost and who would pay?

The Scottish Government estimates that it would cost £220 for an average three- bedroom house which requires three smoke alarms, one heat alarm and one carbon monoxide

detector. The cost is the responsibility of homeowners and landlords.

Q Why are the changes proving controversial?

Concerns have been raised about the cost of the work, the time-frame and the perceived lack of publicity to raise awareness, during the pandemic. Questions have also been asked about allowing workers into homes to carry out system upgrades, given restrictions designed to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

There are stricter fire safety regulations for homes.