I would be obliged if anyone can advise whether smoke alarms need to be hard-wired or if a battery (10 year life) is compliant with the common parts of a domestic property i.e converted property. Think I know the answer but am getting conflicting information - thanks.

Thanks Invictus, but that document applies to purpose built blocks. I am looking for guidance for converted properties which is more aligned to Lacors guidance, but unfortunately even that document does not properly distinguish between hard wired and battery smoke alarms.

The FRA only identifies a smoke detector(s) should be fitted in the common parts, which by definition in converted properties are quite small areas. There will be no fire alarm for these properties, they are not classed as HMOs. These types of properties are not suitable for a 'stay put' policy because you cannot guarantee the integrity of the fire resistance of the building.

Paul Thanks I will take a look. Been having a mare with this subject, can't wait to get back into construction!

What do they have in the flats? Is there a reason they are not HMO's

From the housing act 'Any building, or part of a building, which is occupied only by two persons cannot be a HMO even though those two persons are unrelated. Therefore, for premises to be a HMO there must be at least three persons involved. This is a different number than that which applies to' Anyway 10 year smoke detection. But who tests it, to ensure it is working and at what intervals?

I think your answer is in BS 5839: part 6. (as already mentioned) and the Building Regulations, Approved Doc B, however these are not retrospective. So the date of the conversion will dictate if these requirements are mandatory. I am guessing the property was converted some time ago and although the requirements are not mandatory I would put forward an argument to the landlord to try and convince them. I would argue that it is these standards you will be judged against if disaster struck, that they will have to justify any decision not to install them as any up to date fire risk assessment would have recommended hard wire alarms. As you have already mentioned there is no battery testing regime but can the landlord hand on hart say that their fire risk assessments and strategies are up to date/regularly reviewed, alarms have not be removed and that they doing want they promised to do or should do. On a large estate this is a big task and I do worry about some landlords I come across. Installation of hard wired alarm goes someway to discharging their duties.

Sorry, but I am a bit confused. From your description each have their own kitchen, bathroom and toilet. So what are the common parts? I have had a similar conversation with a Fire Officer at a block of 4 flats (definite HMO). The ground floor flats had their own front and rear doors, and there was a door to a staircase leading to the two first floor flats. Only the tenants in the first floor flats had access to this area, but the FO insisted this was a common area and that a automatic fire alarm system must be installed. I on the other hand argued that it was a shared access and that the FRA indicated that manual call points were sufficient. Argument went back and forward for over 12 months, and then suddenly the FO stopped visiting and communicating.

After spending 4 years in Social Housing, testing is a difficult one to manage, luckily most our properties had Gas boilers, and during the annual service (CP12) of the boilers, our very helpful Gas Engineers would test the Smoke alarm (hard wired, ten year back up) and we also got them to fit Carbon Monoxide detectors. Again we had to have a Maintenance plan in place for the kit, and when we went out to Tender for the Gas Servicing, the above was added. Common areas were a nightmare, and on the advice of the local Fire Brigade we had to remove any smoke detection and and keep the areas clean of any rubbish,bikes,prams,etc. Never a dull moment, but the FB got fed up with the darlings setting the alarms off, at one block the FB were called out 11 times over a weekend! Difficult to manage at times, I don't envy you!

None of our General Needs properties (300+) have a fire alarm because they are purpose built blocks where fire separation and general building standards should be not require this extra control. Moreover, if the fire alarm was activated who would cancel and reset it? It would of course be set off maliciously more than an actual fire.