Perth & Kinross Council announces £2m investment in smoke detector upgrades

The improvement scheme is to ensure safety devices meet with stricter Scottish Government legislation expected next year. The new standard will require all homes to have interlinked smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.

The council has now agreed a deal with Glasgow firm BRB Electrical Ltd to replace detectors at nearly 3,400 properties over the next year.

A spokesman told The Courier: “Through our ongoing commitment to provide our tenants with good quality homes we plan to invest more than £1.82m during the next 12 months to ensure all of our properties comply with the Scottish Government’s new enhanced standards for smoke and systems.

“We have been installing smoke and heat alarms that meet the new building regulations since 2016 and, as a result, there are already in excess of 3,000 properties which currently meet these standards.”

The new devices will be mains-powered with a battery back-up and fire detection alarms will be interlinked by radio frequency.

Smoke detectors will be fitted in halls, living rooms and dining rooms. There will also be a heat detector installed in kitchens.

The new rules, which currently apply to private rented property and newbuilds, will be extended to all homes early next year.