§ Dr. GodmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what monitoring regulations he has introduced in relation to the installation of mains-operated smoke detectors in new-build houses in(a) the public housing sector and (b) the private sector; and if he will make a statement.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonWith effect from 23 July 1993, applications for warrant to construct new dwellings must provide for smoke alarms to be installed in accordance with the requirements of the Building Standards (Scotland) Regulations Technical Standards. The local authority will not issue a completion certificate unless the dwellings have been constructed in accordance with those standards.
The fact that smoke alarms now need to be wired to a main electricity supply should to a large extent remove any need to monitor the power supply as is the case with battery operated alarms.
There is no provision in the Building (Scotland) Act 1959 for the monitoring of the maintenance of systems but 184W The Scottish Office Environment Department receives information about the effectiveness of the Building Standards Regulations through contacts with building control and fire authorities.
Early indications are that the new smoke alarm provisions have been well received by authorities, builders and house purchasers.