The safety squad

Members have rushed to volunteer for SELECT’s new goodwill campaign, sponsored by Aico, installing free heat, smoke and carbon monoxide alarms for vulnerable householders across Scotland

Chris Liddell from 2 Core Electricals with one of the Aico fire alarms — Chris Liddell from 2 Core Electricals, Biggar, with one of the Aico fire alarms

It was heartening – but not surprising – to see SELECT Members step up and offer their services free of charge as part of our new initiative to install alarm systems for the people who need them most.

After new fire safety legislation came into effect in Scotland on 1 February, it was clear there were plenty of householders who, for whatever reason, would be unable to install the necessary products in time.

SELECT therefore launched its new Alarm Ambassadors campaign, which will see the supply and fitting of free domestic alarm systems for some of Scotland’s most vulnerable people.

Sponsored by Aico, the European market leader in home life safety, Member businesses will install heat, smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms in selected homes across Scotland to ensure they comply with the new rules.

The recipients will be vulnerable older and disabled people who have been identified by Care and Repair Scotland, the charity which helps householders improve or adapt a home which is no longer suitable.

Tony Boyle and Donald W Orr — Tony Boyle, Aico Relationships Manager and SELECT President Donald W Orr were on site for the first installation in Biggar

The first installation was carried out in Biggar, Lanarkshire, by Chris Liddell of SELECT Member business 2 Core Electrics, with SELECT President Donald W Orr and Tony Boyle, Relationships Manager at Aico, on hand to celebrate the launch.

Similar installations will now take place across Scotland over the coming weeks, with Member firms installing tamper-proof long-life lithium battery alarms from Aico that are sealed, wireless and interlinked, in line with the new regulations.

A demonstration will also be carried out to ensure householders understand how to operate the system, and a completion certificate issued once the work has been completed.

In addition, articles about the installations will be circulated to local and trade press to help raise the campaign’s profile and reinforce its four key aims:

HELP vulnerable people nationwide who need assistance
KEEP the legislation ‘front of mind’ with householders
REINFORCE the importance of using a qualified electrician
REMIND householders to only use compliant products.

The association has been delighted to see so many Members volunteering to install these alarms free of charge, demonstrating their commitment to keeping people safe and ensuring work is carried out to the highest standard at all times.

Although the Scottish Government has said that any necessary work should be done within “a reasonable period” after February 1, taking into account individual circumstances, Alarm Ambassadors also serves as an alert that the clock is ticking.

While homeowners still have some time to become compliant, our initiative is a reminder that now is the moment to take action – and to always contact a SELECT Member for guidance.

THE NEW REGULATIONS

Under the new legislation, all homes in Scotland must have:

A smoke alarm on every storey including hallways and landings
A smoke alarm in the most frequented part of the house, e.g. lounge
A heat alarm in the kitchen
A CO alarm wherever there is a fuel-burning appliance.

SELECT offers a range of guidance about this new legislation, including downloadable guides, technical manuals and an easy-to-follow animation. Find out more at bit.ly/heat-smoke