What are the usual maintenance intervals for freestanding smoke detectors and how can I tell when they need replacing in UK?

In the UK, maintenance intervals and replacement criteria for freestanding smoke alarms follow specific regulations and standards. Under an amendment to the Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (England) Regulations 2015, from 1 October 2022, landlords who are notified by a tenant that a smoke or carbon monoxide alarm is faulty must investigate and repair or replace these devices as soon as possible. In addition, landlords should ensure that at least one smoke alarm is installed on each floor of each dwelling.

 

Although there are no specific maintenance intervals for smoke alarms, it is usually recommended that smoke alarms are tested at least once a month to ensure that they are working properly. This can be done during the summer or winter time changes as a good way to test twice a year. It is also recommended that the detector is cleaned at least once a year by gently vacuuming with a suitable soft brush attachment to remove accumulated dust from the sensor.

 

In terms of replacement criteria, if the smoke detector is powered by a standard battery, the battery should be replaced annually or when the low battery warning appears. For detectors with sealed 10-year batteries, the entire unit should be replaced every ten years. In addition, according to the Code for the Design of Automatic Fire Alarm Systems (GB 50116), the spacing and number of smoke detectors installed should be based on the protected area and protection radius to ensure adequate coverage of the required area.

 

In commercial premises, it is recommended that the fire alarm system is routinely checked at least every six months in accordance with BS 5839, and more frequent quarterly servicing may be required for larger commercial premises.