Scottish Government 'considering a delay' in fire safety regulation changes after facing backlash
The new legislation states that property owners must ensure that fire alarms are in the most frequently used rooms of a property and that all of the alarms are interlinked.
As reported by the Courier, a Scottish Government spokesman said today: “In light of the challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic, the Scottish Government is actively considering a delay in the deadline to carry out this important safety work. A decision will be announced shortly."
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Hide AdThe Scottish Government estimates that it would cost £220 for an average three bedroom house to comply with the new rules. The cost is the responsibility of home-owners and landlords.
The concerns raised have been about the cost of the work, the short time-frame of just a few months and the lack of communication to raise public awareness during a global pandemic.
Concerns have also been raised about allowing tradesmen into homes to carry out the work and install new alarms while current coronavirus restrictions state that home visits are against the rules.
The spokesperson continued: “Improving fire safety is a key priority for the Scottish Government.
"The tragic events at Grenfell Tower emphasised how important building and fire safety is, which is why, following consultation, we announced in 2018 that the standards that
already existed in the private rented sector would be applied to all homes.
“Our intention is that everyone should benefit from the same level of protection, whether you own your home or rent from a social or private landlord.”