Every home in Scotland must have interlinked fire alarms by February 2022.
Being interlinked means if one alarm goes off, they all go off. You may not always hear the alarm closest to the fire, especially if you’re somewhere else in the house. An interlinked system will alert you immediately.
Find out more information on new smoke and heat alarm regulations for Scotland.
As Edinburgh’s biggest social landlord, we are working with its contractors to fit new interlinked smoke and heat alarms, so that every one of its 20,000 Council-owned homes meets the new legislation and is made even more fire safe.
When this work’s done in each property, the electrical contractors will also undertake an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) if one has not been carried out recently.
Funding support
If you are older or disabled, you may qualify for assistance from your local Care and Repair service. Find out about new fire safety standards on the Care and Repair Scotland website.
To be eligible for support from Care and Repair, you must
- Live and own your home with a Council Tax banding of A to C
- Either be of state pension age and in receipt of guaranteed Pension Credit or have a disability and be in a support group for Employment and Support Allowance
Find your Council Tax band on the Scottish Assessors website
Help and advice
For more detailed information you can read The Housing (Scotland) Act 1987 (Tolerable Standard) (Extension of Criteria) Order 2019 and the guidance on fire and smoke alarm standards.
You can get more information on the new fire alarms legislation, including answers to the most commonly asked questions on the Scottish Government website.
You can also get advice on fire safety or request a Home Fire Safety Visit on The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service website or call them on
0800 0731 999
For help installing alarms if you are elderly or disabled, contact your local Care and Repair service
If you are concerned about a cold caller or about what a tradesperson is telling you, please call Trading Standards Scotland on
0808 164 6000
If you have more questions on the fire, heat or carbon monoxide alarms and what you need for your home email