What are the interlinked fire alarm rules in Scotland?
The short answer
Every home in Scotland must have a smoke alarm in the living room, a smoke alarm in every hallway and landing and a heat alarm in the kitchen, all mounted on the ceiling and interlinked so that when one sounds, they all sound. You also need a carbon monoxide alarm next to any boiler, fire, heater or flue that burns fuel.
Key points
- The rules apply to every home in Scotland, owned or rented, and came into force in February 2022.
- Alarms must be interlinked, either by radio or by wiring.
- Battery alarms must use sealed, tamper-proof long-life batteries.
- A carbon monoxide alarm does not need to be linked to the others.
- A battery system for a typical two-storey house costs around £220 if you fit it yourself.
Where each alarm must go
| Room | Alarm | Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Living room (the room you use most) | Smoke alarm | BS EN14604 |
| Every hallway and landing | Smoke alarm | BS EN14604 |
| Kitchen | Heat alarm | BS 5446-2 |
| Wherever there is a fuel-burning appliance or flue | Carbon monoxide alarm | Kitemark EN 50291-1 |
All smoke and heat alarms must be fixed to the ceiling. In a typical Glasgow tenement flat on one level, that usually means three alarms: living room, hall and kitchen. A two-storey house usually needs four or five.
Battery or mains-wired?
You have two choices, and both meet the law:
- Sealed battery alarms with tamper-proof long-life lithium batteries, which can last up to 10 years. They link to each other by radio and you can fit them yourself.
- Mains-wired alarms with a backup battery, which must be installed by a qualified electrician. They cost more to fit but are often the better choice during a rewire or full refurbishment.
Ordinary alarms with replaceable 9 volt batteries do not meet the standard. The whole system must be replaced together when it reaches the end of its life, which is usually printed on the alarm.
Carbon monoxide alarms
If you have a boiler, gas fire, non-electric heater or flue, you need a carbon monoxide alarm in that room. It does not need to be interlinked with the fire alarms. You do not need one just for a gas cooker or hob.
A CO alarm is a backup, not a replacement for an annual boiler service. Our guide on how often to service your boiler explains why.
What it costs and who can help
The Scottish Government estimates that a battery-powered system for an average two-storey house costs around £220 if you fit it yourself. An electrician fitting mains-wired alarms will charge more, depending on how easy it is to run cables in your home.
Older and disabled homeowners may be able to get help from their local Care and Repair service. Council and housing association tenants should contact their landlord, because the landlord is responsible for fitting the alarms.
Private landlords must meet the same standard under the Repairing Standard, alongside the electrical checks covered in our EICR guide.
Choosing an installer
Many of the electricians in our Glasgow electricians table fit interlinked systems. If you are searching the SELECT register, filter by Fire alarm systems (dwellings) to find members assessed for this work. Ask for a fixed price that includes the alarms, so you are not surprised by the cost of the units on the day.
Questions
Will my home insurance be affected if I do not comply?
It might. Some insurers ask whether you meet the legal requirements for fire safety, so check your policy wording and tell your insurer the truth if asked.
Do I need an alarm in every bedroom?
No. The law asks for smoke alarms in the living room and in every hallway and landing, and a heat alarm in the kitchen. Extra alarms in bedrooms are allowed and can add protection.
Can I mix battery and mains-wired alarms?
Some systems allow it, but every alarm must interlink. The simplest approach is to buy all the alarms from one manufacturer and one product range.
Do I need a heat alarm in an open-plan kitchen and living room?
Follow the official guidance for your layout. In many open-plan spaces a heat alarm near the cooking area and a smoke alarm away from it is the usual answer. A qualified electrician can advise.
Sources
- mygov.scot: fire and smoke alarms in Scottish homes (opens in a new tab)
- SELECT: find a member (opens in a new tab)
This guide is general information about Glasgow and Scotland, checked on 3 November 2026. Prices and rules change, so confirm anything important with the organisation named before you act.
