Smoke Alarms

• Flats should be fitted with mains powered, linked smoke alarms.
  • Test them regularly. When you press the test button, all linked alarms should sound.
  • They should be replaced about every 10 years, (or as marked on the smoke alarm.)
  • As built in 2007, alarms in kitchen areas were heat detectors to prevent nuisance alarms.
    • They have a backup 9V PP3 battery, which needs replacing every few years.
  • If your flat still has the original smoke alarms from 2007: they may still work, but should be replaced!
    (Yes, they are expensive and annoying to replace, but you only need to do it every 10 years!)
  • More modern alarms have a sealed battery which lasts for the life of the alarm.
    • Some newer alarms use two wavelengths to detect smoke from both fast and slow-burning fires

• Smoke alarms are required to be fitted by law in all rented properties
  • If smoke alarms do not work or are missing, the flat will fail the council inspection for landlord licencing.
  • It is the responsibility of the tenant to test smoke alarms and report any faults.
  • The landlord should arrange to replace broken smoke alarms. (Some tenancy agreements say the tenant should do this as 'wear and tear'.)
  • As there is no gas supply to the flats, Carbon Monoxide (CO) alarms are not required.

Doors and Windows

• The lease does not allow leaseholders to replace any windows. They can only be repaired.
• DO NOT replace any doors or windows without checking with the managing agent.

• Flat entry doors must be of the correct fire rating and standard.
  (i.e. you would probably have to pay the building's landlord to replace it with an identical door. Check before any replacement or modifications.). Flat entry doors are fitted with a door closer and must be able to completely close by itself.
  • If the door closer does not work or is missing, the flat will fail a safety inspection and/or council inspection for landlord licencing.
• As built, internal doors (e.g. bedrooms) are fitted with intumescent fire seal strips.
  This will seal the door in the event of a fire in your flat. (Although hopefully, you would have long evacuated by this time.) They should not be painted over or removed.

Electrical

• Except for minor repairs to existing fittings (e.g. replacing a broken switch), all electrical work must be carried out, tested and certified by a qualified electrician.
• If your rent your flat: Landlords are required by law to have an electrical safety inspection carried out every 5 years.

• As built, flats were fitted with low voltage halogen downlights in kitchen/bathroom ceilings.
  • These have transformers hidden above the ceiling which eventually burn out or fail.
  • The lamps are often incorrect dichroic reflector type. These should NOT be used in downlight fittings, as they will cause overheating. Downlights should have lamps with aluminium reflectors. See John Ward's video for more information
  • Consider replacing these transformers, fittings and lamps with more modernGU10 fittings with LED lamps. They last much longer, don't get hot, and require minimal maintenance. They should be waterproof (IP65) for bathroom areas and be fire rated. (A sealed metal back prevents smoke/fire from spreading unseen above the ceiling.)

• Appliances
  • Plug appliances directly into the wall rather than using an extension lead, and ensure the sockets aren't overloaded with too many plugs.
  • If your appliance starts making a strange noise, don't ignore it. If you suspect there might be a problem, always unplug it and contact the manufacturer or a qualified repair technician.

• Fridges/Freezers
  • Fridges/Freezers are often the only appliance left on 24 hours a day. Although rare, fires do happen.
    • New fridges sold since 2019 should have a fire-retardant metal back.
      • “Fridge freezers with flammable plastic backs are no longer being produced, but it's still legal for retailers to sell any plastic-backed models that have already been made, and older models could still be used in homes or sold second-hand.”
    • Don't be tempted to put your fridge freezer in the hallway: if a fire does break out in your home, you need all escape routes to be clear.
    • Fridge Freezer Safety