Smoke & CO Alarm Regulations: What Changed in 2022

Why the Rules Changed

The Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (Amendment) Regulations 2022 came into force on 1 October 2022, updating the original 2015 regulations. The key driver was simple: too many tenants were still living in properties without adequate alarm coverage, and carbon monoxide poisoning from solid fuel appliances was an avoidable risk that the old rules didn't fully address.

The 2015 regulations already required smoke alarms on every storey and CO alarms where solid fuel appliances were present. The 2022 amendment tightened requirements and closed loopholes. If you install or inspect alarms in rented properties, you need to know exactly what changed.

What the 2022 Amendment Actually Requires

The amended regulations apply to all relevant landlords in England — that includes private landlords and registered providers of social housing. Here are the three core duties:

1. Smoke Alarms on Every Storey

At least one smoke alarm must be installed on each storey where there is a room used wholly or partly as living accommodation. This was already required under the 2015 rules, but it now applies to social housing as well as private rentals.

• A "storey" includes any level with habitable rooms — bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, studies
• Hallways and landings count as part of the storey they serve
• Shared houses (HMOs) were already covered under the Housing Act 2004 and HHSRS, but the 2022 rules reinforce minimum standards

2. CO Alarms in Rooms with Fixed Combustion Appliances

This is where the biggest change landed. Under the 2015 regulations, CO alarms were only required in rooms containing a solid fuel burning appliance (wood burners, coal fires, etc.). The 2022 amendment extended this to include all fixed combustion appliances except gas cookers.

That means a CO alarm is now required in any room containing:

• Gas boilers (including combi boilers in kitchen cupboards)
• Gas fires and wall heaters
• Oil-fired boilers and heaters
• Wood burners and multi-fuel stoves
• Open fires and solid fuel appliances

Gas cookers are specifically exempted, so a kitchen with only a gas hob and oven does not require a CO alarm under these regulations alone — though best practice and manufacturer guidance often recommend one.

3. Alarms Must Be Repaired or Replaced

The 2022 amendment added an explicit duty for landlords to repair or replace alarms that are reported as faulty. Under the 2015 rules, landlords only had to ensure alarms were in working order at the start of each tenancy. Now, if a tenant reports a faulty alarm during the tenancy, the landlord must act.

Where to Position Alarms: Practical Guidance

The regulations themselves don't specify exact positioning — that's covered by BS 5839-6:2019 (fire detection and alarm systems for dwellings). However, getting the position wrong is one of the most common mistakes. Here's what matters in practice:

Smoke Alarms

• Install on the ceiling, ideally in the centre of the room or hallway
• At least 300mm from any wall or light fitting
• Avoid positioning near kitchens and bathrooms where steam or cooking fumes cause false alarms — if you must install near a kitchen, use a heat alarm instead
• On landings, position between the bedroom doors and the staircase so it will be heard if a fire starts downstairs
• In rooms with sloped ceilings, position between 600mm and 900mm below the apex measured horizontally

Carbon Monoxide Alarms

• Install at head height on a wall, or on the ceiling — follow the manufacturer's instructions, as guidance varies by model
• Position between 1m and 3m horizontally from the combustion appliance
• Do not place directly above a heat source, in an enclosed space, or near a window or extractor fan where airflow could disperse CO before it reaches the sensor
• CO alarms conforming to BS EN 50291-1:2018 are required — check the label before fitting

Alarm Types and Standards

The regulations don't mandate mains-wired or interconnected alarms in existing properties — battery-operated alarms are permitted. However, for new-build properties, Approved Document B of the Building Regulations requires mains-powered, interconnected alarms conforming to BS 5839-6 Grade D.

In practice, the type of alarm matters:

• Optical (photoelectric) smoke alarms — best for slow, smouldering fires. Good for hallways and bedrooms
• Ionisation smoke alarms — respond faster to flaming fires but prone to false alarms from cooking. Not ideal near kitchens
• Heat alarms — suitable for kitchens. They won't satisfy the "smoke alarm" requirement on their own, but they complement the system
• Multi-sensor alarms — combine optical and heat detection. Reduce false alarms while maintaining sensitivity. Increasingly the go-to choice

For CO alarms, only use units marked as conforming to BS EN 50291-1:2018. Check the expiry date — most electrochemical CO sensors have a lifespan of 5 to 7 years. A common compliance gap is expired CO alarms that are still physically present but no longer functional.

Enforcement and Penalties

Local housing authorities enforce these regulations. The process works like this:

1. The authority identifies non-compliance (through inspection, tenant complaint, or licensing checks)
2. They issue a remedial notice giving the landlord 28 days to comply
3. If the landlord fails to comply, the authority can arrange the work itself and recover costs
4. A fine of up to £5,000 can be imposed for each breach

In practice, HMO licensing inspections and selective licensing schemes are where most enforcement happens. But tenant complaints to councils are increasing, and some authorities are actively auditing compliance.

Documentation: Protecting Yourself and Your Client

The regulations don't prescribe a specific certificate or form, but thorough documentation is your best protection. When you install or inspect alarms for a landlord, record:

• Property address and date of visit
• Location of every alarm installed (storey, room, position)
• Alarm make, model, and type (optical, heat, CO)
• Relevant standard marked on the unit (BS 5839-6, BS EN 50291-1)
• Expiry date of each alarm
• Test results — every alarm should be tested on installation
• Photographs showing alarm positions relative to appliances and room features

A clear record protects the landlord if a dispute arises and protects you as the installer if questions are raised about positioning or product selection.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Forgetting the boiler cupboard — the most common gap since the 2022 change. If there's a gas boiler, there needs to be a CO alarm
• Only checking at tenancy start — the repair/replace duty is ongoing
• Fitting expired alarms — always check the manufacture date and expiry. A "new in box" alarm that's been in a wholesaler's stockroom for three years may only have two years of sensor life left
• Relying on a heat alarm as the sole smoke alarm — heat alarms are not smoke alarms. The regulations require smoke alarms. A heat alarm in the kitchen is a sensible addition, but it doesn't tick the box on its own
• Ignoring manufacturer instructions — positioning, height, and distance from appliances vary between models. The manufacturer's guidance takes priority over generic rules of thumb

Further Reading

For the full legal text and official guidance:

• The Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (Amendment) Regulations 2022 — full statutory instrument
• DLUHC Explanatory Booklet for Landlords — the government's own plain-English guide
• BS 5839-6:2019 — the British Standard for fire detection in dwellings

Published 2026-03-10. This article is for general guidance only and does not constitute legal or professional advice. Always refer to the relevant standards and consult qualified professionals for definitive requirements.