Battery-powered smoke alarms failed in more than a third of property fires

The Local Government Association (LGA) is urging people, including landlords, to test their smoke alarms due to recent analysis which showed nearly two thirds of battery-powered alarms failing in England last year.

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Battery-powered smoke alarms, which are accepted as part of a landlord’s legal obligations to install smoke detectors in their properties, are typically cheaper than mains powered alarms but are more likely to fail.

The data showed that firefighters attended more than 7,500 fires in homes with battery-powered alarms last year and found that 38 per cent failed to alert residents of the danger.

Other data showed:

  • Incorrect positioning caused almost half (45 per cent) of the failures, while missing or faulty batteries caused 20 per cent.
  • Of 29,586 property fires attended in England between 1 April 2018 and 31 March 2019, 22,475 homes were fitted with a smoke alarm.
  • Battery-powered smoke alarms were found in 7,692 of the homes - but, of these, 2,899 (38 per cent) failed to sound.
  • Mains-powered smoke alarms were reported to fail in 21 per cent of fires.

Smoke alarms are proven life-savers, but these worrying ‘failure’ rates are a reminder to people to test their smoke alarms regularly and change batteries where necessary. 

Smoke alarm ownership has risen over the years to more than 90 per cent, but this encouraging trend is being dangerously undermined if they don’t activate due to faulty batteries. 

The run-up to the festive season is a timely reminder of the importance of fire safety, but working batteries aren’t just for toys at Christmas – they are needed in smoke alarms all-year round.

With the increased potential fire risk from Christmas trees, decorations, candles and lighting, and people spending more time using heaters, open fires, and cooking hot food during the colder winter months, anyone without a smoke alarm should buy and fit one as soon as possible. They should also check the alarms of less able family members and those on their own - it may save their life.

Many fire and rescue services can fit smoke detectors for free as part of a home fire safety visit.

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Cllr Ian Stephens Chair of the LGA’s fire services management committee

Helping ARLA Propertymark members comply

ARLA Propertymark members can take advantage of a range of benefits by logging into the ARLA Propertymark website.

Members can download resources which include:

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