Fire officers provide reassurance on alarms
Fire officers have moved to allay fears over the cost of fitting new integrated fire alarms systems which are set to become law early next year.
Councillors said they had been approached by concerned homeowners on very low incomes or pensions who were worried about the costs - estimated at around £200 per home.
And chairman of the Bathgate local area committee Councillor Harry Cartmill asked station manager, Gordon McGuire, about the plans.
He said: “Where are we with this? There’s a whole lot of questions I have been asked, but I have seen the goalposts move, and the dates move.”
Mr McGuire advised householders to visit the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service website which also links to Scottish Government web pages offering all information needed ahead of the February 2022 deadline for the switch-over, and he assured the meeting that help is available.
The new rules require one smoke alarm installed in the room most frequently used, one smoke alarm on each storey, such as hallways and landings and one heat alarm installed in every kitchen.
All smoke and heat alarms should be ceiling mounted and interlinked. Where there are appliances such as boilers, fires including open fires and heaters or a flue, a carbon monoxide detector is also required which does not need to be linked to the fire alarms.
The rules will apply to all homes owner-occupied, council and RSL rented and HMO.
Mr McGuire told the meeting that SFRS could not make recommendations of what equipment to buy, or from whom, but it does have a budget to supply and fit systems in high risk properties.
He said: “You can request a fire safety visit and we will then be able to rate a householder and if they are rated as at high risk then we will come out and fit a new detection system. There is also a budget to provide financial assistance to the elderly or those who face additional costs. That can all be accessed through the Scottish Government website.”