Fire Detection and Insurance

Home insurers often have requirements for smoke and fire detection, and these can vary. To help you stay protected, we’ve put together some guidelines. Even if your insurer’s standards are met, you may wish to upgrade your home’s smoke detection - or at the very least, check that your current system is working as it should.

Check your smoke and heat detectors

Test your smoke detectors regularly to make sure the batteries are not flat or have been removed. It’s not recommended to use rechargeable batteries as these can fail quickly – meaning that you might miss the ‘chirp’ if you’re away on holiday. Many modern smoke alarms come with 10-year sealed batteries which are particularly useful for hard to reach detectors.

Smoke and heat detectors have an expiration date which can usually be found on the back or the side of the unit. All smoke and heat detectors should be replaced after 10 years. If there’s no expiry date on your alarm, then it is over 10 years old and should be replaced. If you’ve had building works, even very minor ones, a tradesperson may have covered the smoke detector to prevent a false alarm. It goes without saying that these should be removed

Ensure you have enough smoke and heat detectors

As a minimum you should have a smoke detector in the hall and landing of your home and a heat, not a smoke, detector in the kitchen. Check your insurer’s requirements, they may require more than this, particularly if your home is thatched or part-thatched. The UK’s domestic fire detection standard, BS 5839-6 has three smoke detection categories which you may need to comply with:

• LD1: The highest level of protection. Covers all rooms and circulation areas throughout the premises other than toilets and bathrooms. It’s unusual for a UK insurer to require this level of protection, unless thatched.
• LD2: Covers escape routes plus high risk rooms. Typically hallways, living rooms, the kitchen. If insurers place a smoke detection requirement, this is typically the most common.
• LD3: Escape routes only. Typically hallways and landings.

For more information, please see here.

Fire Detection Grades

Along with categories, British Standard 5839-6 grades fire detection in domestic premises. Insurers may require a certain grade, the most commonly requested are:

• Grade A: Separate detectors, sounders and central control and indicating equipment with back-up power supply that conforms to British Standards. Insurers will often require that this be connected to a central station so that the fire brigade are called.
• Grade D1. One or more mains powered detectors, each with a tamper‑proof battery.
• Grade F1: One or more battery-powered detectors powered by a tamper‑proof battery.
• Grade F2: one or more battery-powered detectors powered by a user‑replaceable battery.

Interconnection

Mains wired smoke and heat detectors are usually interconnected, so that if one goes off, all detectors go off. Interconnection is vital in larger homes, particularly where a heat detector in the kitchen may not be heard in the bedrooms. In Scotland, every home must have interlinked smoke and heat detectors plus a carbon monoxide alarm in any room with a boiler or wood-burner (although this doesn’t need to be interlinked).

Modern interlinked fire detectors are radio interlinked and work independently of your home’s wifi. Unless your insurer requires more than this, or you have a mains wired fire detection system, we would strongly recommend a minimum system of Grade F1 interconnected smoke and heat detectors, to Category LD2. The cost of these systems has greatly reduced.

Fire Risk Assessments and Accredited Installers

Finally, rather than stipulate a minimum fire alarm system, especially in larger homes or rural areas, your insurer may require a Fire Risk Assessment to be carried out and then for you to comply with any recommendations. This is often independent of any installation company and is a useful first-step for high net worth homeowners. A list of Fire Risk Assessors can be found on the BAFE site: https://bafe.my.salesforce-sites.com/wb/wbCompanySearch

Howden would always recommend, and an insurer may require, that any company installing a fire detection system be fully BAFE (British Approvals for Fire Excellence) accredited.

How Howden can help

Navigating insurer requirements can feel complex, but that’s where our Private Client team steps in. We work closely with you to ensure your home meets the necessary standards for fire and security, guiding you through policy wording. From recommending accredited installation companies to connecting you with trusted fire and security specialists, we make sure every detail is covered.

To speak to us about your home insurance policy call 020 8256 4901 or email privateclients@howdeninsurance.co.uk