Because recommendations are that more than one smoke detector is
fitted into properties, a comparison of unit sales vs households will
give a higher than actual penetration of households having a detector
- houses which have detectors are likely to have 2 or more.
In Scotland (part of the United Kingdom):
"432,000 homes lack smoke alarms"
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/news/2000/12/se3192.asp
There are about 2 million homes in Scotland, which has a higher level
of rented property, particularly local authority rented, and many
local authorities have been proactive in fitting free detectors.
(I presume) for England and Wales:
"From 1988 we have seen a steep increase in the percentage of
households owning smoke alarms (8% in 1988). More recently, a survey
for the Home Office in 1997 indicated that ownership was 79%, and the
1999 Attitude and Behaviour Monitor recently put that figure at 81%.
... The apparently high level of smoke alarm ownership compared to
1988 disguises the fact that many of these alarms may not be working.
In 1998 Home Office statistics show that in 28% of fires where an
alarm was present, the alarm failed to operate. More than half these
failures are due to missing or flat batteries."
http://www.merseyfire.gov.uk/pages/smoke_alarms/facts_stats.htm
and also at
http://www.firesafetytoolbox.org.uk/ncfsc/hottopics/smokealarms/factsaboutsmokealarmsandsmokealarmownership.htm
"The provision of smoke detectors has increased substantially since
1991,
particularly in the rented sectors where it has almost doubled. Owner
occupied dwellings are the most likely to have such detectors (70%)."
http://www.housing.odpm.gov.uk/information/keyfigures/index.htm or
http://www.housing.odpm.gov.uk/research/ehcs96/summary/index.htm
In response to a discussion in the uk.d-i-y newsgroup I wrote
My understanding is that *all* new houses, new conversions etc, have
to have
mains powered smoke alarms, either on a dedicated circuit, or on a
lighting
circuit with battery/capacitor backup (or a full automatic fire
detection
system)
Also, rented property under the Houses of Multiple Occupancy (HMO)
regulations must be retrofitted.
There is a useful (but not definitive guide) at
http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Technical/Regulations/Fire1.htm
An Approved Document, which takes effect on 1 July 2000, dealing with
the
following Requirement from Part B of Schedule 1 to the Building
Regulations
1991.
(Note that the Building Regulations in England and Wales, and
Scotland, are different, but similar.)
Domestic sprinkler systems could also be considered. They are being
considered by the Scottish Parliament:
Michael Matheson (Central Scotland) (SNP) Is [Deputy Minister for
Justice
(Iain Gray)] aware that where domestic sprinklers have been introduced
there, fire damage has been cut by nearly 80 per cent? Given that I
plan to
introduce a member's bill next week to ensure that domestic sprinkler
systems are provided in homes of multiple occupancy and in the homes
of the
elderly and the disabled, will the Executive be sympathetic towards my
bill
and consider introducing the necessary legislation to which Ken
Macintosh
referred?
http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/official_report/session-01/or110402.htm
and search the text for "fire safety"
Owain |
