Members will be aware of the requirement for all households to be fitted with smoke and heat detectors from the 1st February 2022. Care & Repair Scotland provided funding for Local Authorities in 2021 to support the installation of detectors as part of the Care & Repair offering. The Council did not obtain funding through the first tranche but remain in positive dialogue with Care & Repair Scotland regarding future funding streams/opportunities, and should funding be secured will look to offer an installation service via our Care & Repair service at that time.
In order to ensure those residents eligible to use the Care & Repair service in East Dunbartonshire can be supported to have detectors installed, the Property Maintenance service has engaged with Scottish Fire and Rescue (SFR) to support installation requests. SFR have funding to install smoke and heat detectors in private households. There has been some confusion around how this referral to SFR works therefore this technical note is intended to clarify the process for Members.
All enquiries to the Council are directed via Customer Services. Once it is established the enquiry relates to smoke and heat detector installation the resident is advised to contact SFR via their website as the preferred method of communication (click on “Request a Home Fire Safety Visit”). They will also be provided a telephone number (0800 0731 999) in addition to a Text number (text FIRE to 80800). SFR will thereafter process the request.