Smoke & CO Alarm Test Record

The Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (England) Regulations 2015 (as amended October 2022) set out clear obligations for landlords in the private rented sector:

• Smoke alarms: At least one smoke alarm must be installed on every storey of the property that contains living accommodation
• Carbon monoxide alarms: A CO alarm must be installed in any room containing a fixed combustion appliance (gas boiler, gas fire, wood burner, oil heater) — gas cookers are excluded
• Working order on day one: All alarms must be tested and confirmed in proper working order on the day the tenancy begins
• Repair or replace: If a landlord is notified that an alarm is not working, they must repair or replace it within a reasonable time
• Fines: Local authorities can issue penalty charges of up to £5,000 for non-compliance

2022 Amendment — Key Change:

The October 2022 amendment extended the CO alarm requirement to all rooms with a fixed combustion appliance, not just rooms with solid fuel appliances. This means a CO alarm is now required in rooms with gas boilers and gas fires, not just wood burners and coal fires.

Smoke Alarms:

• At least one per storey with living accommodation (hallways and landings are the standard position)
• On the ceiling, ideally in the centre of the room or hallway, at least 300mm from walls or light fittings
• Not in kitchens or bathrooms (use a heat alarm in kitchens instead)
• For open-plan layouts, position in the living area away from the cooking zone

Carbon Monoxide Alarms:

• In the same room as the combustion appliance, at head height (1–3 metres from the appliance)
• On the ceiling or high on the wall — follow the manufacturer’s instructions
• Not directly above the appliance, and not in an enclosed space

Standards:

Smoke alarms should comply with BS EN 14604 and the fire detection system should meet BS 5839-6. CO alarms should comply with BS 50291.

Complete Alarm Test Documentation:

• ✓ Property address and landlord/agent details
• ✓ Tenant name and tenancy start date
• ✓ Test date and tested-by details
• ✓ Individual smoke alarm records — location, type, make/model, serial number, battery type, condition, test method, mounting position, and result
• ✓ Individual CO alarm records — location, appliance type, make/model, expiry date, and result
• ✓ Combustion appliance identification
• ✓ Remedial actions section (for any failed alarms)
• ✓ Cross-references to Gas Safety Certificate and EICR
• ✓ BS 5839-6 system grade classification
• ✓ Interlinked alarm confirmation
• ✓ HMO and specialist alarm sections (accessibility)
• ✓ Next review date
• ✓ Tenant guidance section (optional)
• ✓ Dual signature block — landlord and tenant acknowledgement
• ✓ Legal basis section referencing the Regulations

Professional formatting, structured following the 2015 Regulations (as amended 2022), and ready to sign on move-in day.

What Can Go Wrong:

• Local authority fines: Penalty charges of up to £5,000 per breach — the local authority can enter the property to inspect and install alarms if the landlord does not comply
• No evidence of testing: Without a written record, you cannot prove alarms were tested on the day the tenancy began
• Insurance implications: Some building and landlord insurance policies require evidence of alarm compliance — a failure to test could affect a claim
• Possession proceedings: Non-compliance with safety regulations can weaken a landlord’s position in any possession or dispute proceedings
• Tenant safety: A non-functioning alarm puts lives at risk — CO poisoning is odourless and can be fatal within hours

This test record template helps you document every alarm, record the test result, and create a signed paper trail for your compliance file.