Fire alarm regs for re-wires.

[dtec dave]

Can anyone clarify whether it's mandatory to install a wired interlinked smoke alarm in a fully refurbished house?

There is a wall coming out between the kitchen and dining room with new patio doors leading outside. I'm led to believe that a fire alarm is only mandatory if the escape routes are being changed, so with the wall coming out this could classed as the escape route changing?

Cheers.

 

[Octopus]

Theres nothing in our big book and is LABC aren't involved its up to the customer.

That said anyone who doesn't is mad IMHO

Heat in the kitchen, smokes in hall and landing.

 

[Gavin John Hyde]

Avoid LABC like the plague, they normally send the spotty freshly graduated kid out who seems to think they have all the answers and barely even know what BS7671 and the BYB is.

 

[dtec dave]

LABC are involved with loft conversions though, I've had to put a full fire alarm through the house when a loft conversion's being done.

 

[Octopus]

Avoid LABC like the plague, they normally send the spotty freshly graduated kid out who seems to think they have all the answers and barely even know what BS7671 and the BYB is.

Tricky to do with structural changes.

LABC around my way are insistent on smokes being fitted.

 

[dtec dave]

Avoid LABC like the plague, they normally send the spotty freshly graduated kid out who seems to think they have all the answers and barely even know what BS7671 and the BYB is.

Can't avoid them when they are involved in the building project.

 

[Octopus]

LABC are involved with loft conversions though, I've had to put a full fire alarm through the house when a loft conversion's being done.

Surely any structural changes should involve LABC

 

[bigspark17]

Your refering to a “smoke alarm” install not a FIRE ALARM.
If LABC are involved and spec it it has to be done if not always a good suggestion to the customer, if they dont have to have them some will some wont.

 

[dtec dave]

Surely any structural changes should involve LABC

Exactly, that's why I'm asking the question in the first place, LABC will be involved as a wall is coming down between the kitchen and dining room, as mentioned in my original post.

 

[davesparks]

You should ask LABC what they require

 

[Octopus]

The problem in such situations is that the regs we work to do not include smokes ......

 

[dtec dave]

Your refering to a “smoke alarm” install not a FIRE ALARM.
If LABC are involved and spec it it has to be done if not always a good suggestion to the customer, if they dont have to have them some will some wont.

Thought if a heat detector is involved it wouldn't be a smoke alarm.
I have suggested to the customer that it is a good thing to have, was just wondering what the official LABC line was.

 

[buzzlightyear]

There is a wall coming out between the kitchen and dining room with new patio doors leading outside. I'm led to believe that a fire alarm is only mandatory if the escape routes are being changed, so with the wall coming out this could classed as the escape route changing?

any structure changes in kitchen and the walls of Jericho came down
smokes right through the building .

 

[dtec dave]

You should ask LABC what they require

As per my original post, I have been told that you only need them if the escape route has changed. Just wanted more clarification.

 

[davesparks]

As per my original post, I have been told that you only need them if the escape route has changed. Just wanted more clarification.

Yes but you didn’t say who you had been told by, it could be a talking dog for all we know.
If LABC have confirmed in writing that smoke alarms are not required then they are not required.

However, as has been previously mentioned, not having good quality smoke alarms installed to a good design is just plain daft.

 

[buzzlightyear]

Yes but you didn’t say who you had been told by, it could be a talking dog for all we know.

what spit the dog!

 

[Devonchris]

Building Regs apply to "new or materially altered dwelling "

If you're owner occupier and not more than 2 storey, them I think you fall into grade D category LD2 For LABC fire protection purposes.
Which means they have to be fitted. With back up supply ( ie. Battery) and interlinked.

I understand some LABC will allow wireless linking. You need to talk to them.

 

[buzzlightyear]

has in post #13 say no more .

 

[Pete999]

Avoid LABC like the plague, they normally send the spotty freshly graduated kid out who seems to think they have all the answers and barely even know what BS7671 and the BYB is.

One and the Same

 

[Gavin John Hyde]

I do a fair amount of work for a small developer around here, they always use their own approved independent surveyors who can sign off and do what LABC would do - they say its quite a saving, and issue compliance certificates, i think they are chartered surveyors and it works a a bit like the scams for electrical notifiable jobs. The scheme for this is run by CICAIR Limited.

If you have to deal with the occasional jobsworths in the council it is worth noting you can actually submit building control applications to any local authority not just the one where the property is located! they don't like you knowing that and where the fees are cheaper across the county line then you can use them. For some time if you were on the edge of Banes where I am it was often cheaper to send it to Wiltshire council. They are now wise to this and the fees are similar.