Yes, carbon monoxide alarms are required in homes with fuel-burning appliances. From February 2022, all homes in Scotland – both owner-occupied and rented – must be brought up to a certain minimum standard of smoke alarms and CO alarms. This legislation specifies a common minimum coverage; it does not take precedence over Building Regulations or other specific legislation that may stipulate more alarms are required.
In terms of carbon monoxide specifically, alarms are required in all rooms where there is an appliance of any fuel type (e.g. fireplace, boiler), excluding those solely for cooking, or a flue. All types of alarm must be mains powered (fixed wiring, not a mains plug) or powered by a tamper-proof lifetime battery.
Please see our page on carbon monoxide alarm legislation for more specific guidance or view our ranges of suitable carbon monoxide alarms.
Reviewed: 14/09/2023 (doc:536 V1.0). Our articles are reviewed regularly. However, any changes made to standards or legislation following the review date will not have been considered. Please note that we provide abridged, easy-to-understand guidance. To make detailed decisions about your fire safety provisions, you might require further advice or need to consult the full standards and legislation.
