These Regulations outline the smoke and carbon monoxide safety requirements for landlords in the private rented sector in England, and require said landlords to ensure that a smoke alarm is equipped on every storey of their rented dwelling when occupied under a tenancy, and that a carbon monoxide alarm is equipped in any room which contains a solid fuel burning combustion appliance. They also require landlords to ensure that such alarms are in proper working order at all times.
These Regulations are intended to reduce the risk of injury or death caused by smoke or carbon monoxide in the private rented sector. Nearly 40% of fire related deaths occur in properties without a working smoke alarm. Approved Document B (fire safety) which supports the Building Regulations 2010, required all new-build properties (built on or after 1 June 1992) to have a hard wired smoke alarm installed on at least each storey of the property. However, there was no legislation specifically requiring the installation of smoke alarms on every storey of older non licensed dwellings.
Carbon monoxide is a serious and preventable form of poisoning. Each year there are around 40 deaths from accidental carbon monoxide poisoning in England and Wales. Approved Document J (Combustion appliances and fuel storage systems), which supports the Building Regulations 2010, required the installation of a carbon monoxide alarm in all properties when a solid fuel heating system is first installed. However, there was no requirement to install an alarm where the solid fuel system was installed before 1 October 2010.
These Regulations therefore make up for the lack of requirements by implementing numerous safety provisions for smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.
