Smoke Alarm Positioning - interpreting the regs

[baggy99]

I hope I'm reasonably familiar with the current regs - smoke alarms not to be within 30cm of a light fittings or walls, alarms to be mounted within 3m of all bedroom doors, etc. However I'm a little confused by the "Max 7.5m from any door to a habitable room" clause.
I have a attached a rough sketch of my layout (refurb falling under building regs.) The door between the kitchen and lounge is indeed within 7.5m from the alarm, but that assumes I measure the "shortest" possible distance (ie hugging all the walls across the landing and through the lounge to take the shortest possible route.)
Is this OK??
Thanks
PS I know someone is going to suggest that I simply put an alarm in the lounge/kitchen, but the place is decorated now and it's going to a major pain to start trunking extra cables around!

 

[baggy99]

Ooops - forgot to add the attachment......

Untitled

• baggy99
• 27 Nov 2008
• 1

 

[Chri5]

I think you will find that BC will insist on an alarm in the kitchen, as the most fire 'possible' room in the house it makes sense.

Not sure I understand why the decor would get ruined since its a run on the 1st floor down through the ceiling in 3C+E from the hall unit.

If BC are OK without a smoke in the kitchen then I'd argue that a kitchen isn't a habitable room. It's a functionary room and you are unlikely to spend the night sleep there.

 

[baggy99]

Hi Chri5
This is the 1st floor of a 3 storey building (ground floor commercial, floors 1 & 2 maisonette) so there is a habitable floor above, hence the decor issue.
If (and it's only an if at this stage!) I put a heat alarm in the kitchen, I presumably don't need to put one in the lounge as well?
Cheers

 

[Chri5]

No you don't, but do check with the BC because there vary from region to region, Council to council.

Rules are hallways on every level and kitchen for Enfield Council.

 

[baggy99]

Many thanks - much appreciated