Choosing guide
How should you choose safety alarms?
Domestic alarms are additional warning layers; they do not prevent a hazard or replace emergency action, maintenance or competent work.
Evidence sources
Carbon monoxide: general information
UK Health Security Agency · UK
Supports: If an alarm sounds or a leak is suspected, stop appliances, evacuate, contact the relevant emergency service, do not re-enter and seek medical help. A carbon monoxide alarm is not a substitute for regular appliance servicing.
Checked .
Combustion appliances and fuel storage systems: Approved Document J
UK Government · England
Supports: Combustion appliances require adequate air supply and safe discharge of combustion products. The 2022 amendments extend guidance for carbon monoxide alarms.
Checked .
The Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (England) Regulations 2015, regulation 4 (revised)
The National Archives · England
Supports: Relevant landlords have specified smoke and carbon monoxide alarm duties. The requirements depend on tenancy, storey use and fixed combustion appliances.
Checked .
Fire and smoke alarms: the law
Scottish Government · Scotland
Supports: Every home in Scotland has specified interlinked smoke and heat alarm requirements. Carbon monoxide detector requirements are stated separately.
Checked .
Fitness for human habitation: guidance for tenants (contract holders)
Welsh Government · Wales
Supports: Welsh rented-home smoke and carbon monoxide alarm duties differ in scope and power/interlink requirements from England.
Checked .
Landlord and tenant obligations
Northern Ireland Executive · Northern Ireland
Supports: Northern Ireland landlord duties include installation and maintenance of smoke, heat and carbon monoxide alarms. Tenants must take proper care of installed alarms and report faults.
Checked .
Detection: how to choose, fit and test smoke alarms
UK Government Fire Kills campaign · England public fire-safety campaign
Supports: Working smoke alarms provide early warning and should be tested at least monthly. Mains-powered alarms need a qualified electrician. In a fire: get out, stay out and call 999.
Checked .
How to choose
- Check current requirements for the UK nation, tenure, room and fuel context before comparing models.
- Verify the exact intended use, applicable product standard, power source, stated service life and end-of-life indication.
- Check placement, test, fault and silence instructions, interlink needs, accessibility and whether fixed wiring needs a competent installer.
- Check current official requirements and the manufacturer's room and location guidance before choosing the alarm type.
- Verify the exact intended use, applicable product standard, power source, interlink method, service life and replacement signal.
- Check that alarms and controls can be heard, seen, tested and maintained by the people who use the home, and identify any competent installation need.
What it cannot establish
- An alarm does not replace appliance servicing, a gas safety check, flue assessment, ventilation or repair.
- If an alarm sounds or exposure is suspected, leave the property and follow emergency and medical guidance; product comparison is not the next action.
- One standalone alarm may not meet a requirement for a heat alarm, interlinked system, mains power or specialist accessibility provision.
- If there is smoke, fire or a full alarm, get out, stay out and call 999; choosing a product is not the immediate task.
You may not need this product if…
- An existing device or a simple record already answers the decision you need to make.
- You need a one-off professional assessment rather than repeat observations.
- Using the product would move beyond the stated safety boundary.
Products with a current shop link
No shop link to show
No alarm shop product is currently cleared. Do not delay a required alarm, fault response or emergency action while Homecode has no listing.
Homecode does not take payment, take orders or run a checkout. No shop link is shown. No product and shop have yet passed the relevance, commerce and safety checks for this placement.