From this month onwards, all landlords in the UK will be required by law to ensure that a smoke alarm is installed on every floor of a rental property.  In addition, carbon monoxide alarms must be stored in ‘high risk’ rooms, such as rooms which contain a fuel burning device such as a stove or open fire.

Although the majority of responsible landlords already fit smoke alarms, this legislation has been brought in to help prevent death and injury from fire or the inhalation of fumes.  New build properties are already required by law to have smoke alarms fitted and this new legislation is intended to bring rented homes in line with the rest of the property market.

Smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors are incredibly important when it comes to providing protection from the risk of fire and deadly fumes and this is something we’ve covered in several of our previous blog posts.  A wide range of smoke alarms are now available: from simple, low-cost alarms designed to provide basic protection, through to complex fire protection systems.  In addition it is now possible to buy combined smoke/carbon monoxide detectors, designed to offer all-round protection and complete peace of mind.  Remembering to check or change the batteries in a smoke alarm is rapidly becoming a thing of the past as alarms are now available with built-in batteries: the entire alarm is designed with a long life (typically ten years) and should be replaced once this lifespan has elapsed.

Here at Dalec we are specialists in providing fire protection systems to suit all properties and budgets.  If you are a landlord in Leeds and would like advice or further information on installing smoke or carbon monoxide detectors in your rental properties, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Winter is rapidly approaching and as the temperatures drop the chances are you’ll be lighting the fire or stove and maybe thinking about creating a cosy atmosphere with a few candles.  Whilst nothing quite beats the glow from an open fire or candles, the risk of fire is something that should be taken seriously.

A wide range of fire, smoke and heat alarms are available with a choice of products suitable for installation in residential properties.  There are four main types of smoke alarm on the market: ionisation, optical (sometimes described as photo electronic), heat and combined alarms.

Ionisation: Ionisation smoke alarms are the cheapest option with a number of products available which cost under £10.  Ionisation smoke alarms are incredibly sensitive to the small particles of smoke which are generated by fast flaming fires, such as fires caused by burning wood or paper.  Ionisation alarms will detect this type of fire before the smoke has had a chance to get too thick.  However, they are slightly less sensitive to slow burning or smouldering fires as these tend to give off a much larger quantity of smoke before any flames appear.  In addition, this type of alarm is generally not suitable for use in a kitchen as they are too over-sensitive.

Optical alarms: These smoke alarms are more expensive but have the advantage of being able to detect the large particles of smoke which are produced by the slow burning fires which are generated by smouldering foam-filled furniture or PVC wiring which has overheated. On the flip-side they are slightly less sensitive to fast flaming fires.  Optical alarms can be installed near to kitchens but not inside a kitchen.

Heat alarms: This type of alarm is insensitive to smoke and detects increases in temperature, making it suitable for use in kitchens.  However, they only cover a fairly small area so if you have a very large kitchen you might need more than one heat detector.

Combined optical smoke and heat alarms: These alarms combine the benefits of optical and heat alarms in one unit and offer a higher speed of fire detection.

Combined smoke and carbon monoxide alarms:  Combined alarms combine the benefits of smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors and are a great way to save space and costs.

Protecting your home and family from the risk of fire is vital and if you would like further information on domestic smoke alarm systems, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

We know Christmas is still weeks away but it’s that time of year when we like to remind you about the potential dangers of outdoor Christmas lighting.  Outdoor lighting is becoming incredibly popular in the UK – last year more than one in four household succumbed to the trend – and with this in mind we thought we’d give you some advice on how to use electricity outside safely.

Whether you’re thinking of decorating the front door with an illuminated wreath or are planning on going full-on and covering every spare inch of brick, using Christmas lighting outdoors should be treated with caution.

Using electricity outdoors comes with added risk because of the damp conditions and it’s important to remember that December can be one of the wettest months of the year in the UK.  In addition, most people leave their Christmas lights switched on for long periods of time which presents the additional hazard of overheating.

First things first and you need to make sure that the Christmas lights you buy are suitable for use outdoors. At a minimum the lights should be ‘rain-proof’ or have an IPX3 rating. The safest type of Christmas lights available operate at a lower voltage and lights such as these can significantly reduce the risk of shock – even if a bulb breaks or there’s a fault.

Any lights you use outdoors should be connect to your indoor electricity supply via an RCD protected socket as this way even if a fault occurs, the power will automatically cut out.

If you would like further information or advice on using Christmas lights outdoors, please don’t hesitate to get in touch – we’ll be happy to help.

Christmas is perhaps the one time of year when many businesses close for a couple of days and with this in mind, security is more important than ever.

Here at Dalec we have many years of experience in providing effective security solutions for business, commercial and industrial customers in Leeds.  Our expertise covers everything from large-scale security and fire protection systems, through to the installation of smoke detectors and entry phone systems.

If you run your own business, you’re probably all too aware of the importance of security but public holidays and weekends can leave your premises at risk of burglary.  There are a number of things you can do to ensure that you’re protected and first and foremost arranging to have your security system serviced is definitely worthwhile. Regular servicing is vital – regardless of the complexity of your security systems – and it’s important to remember that if your security system isn’t working properly, your insurance could be invalidated.

In addition, there a number of relatively easy steps you can take to protect your business premises.  Security lighting can prove to be an incredibly effective deterrent to intruders and a few simple dusk until dawn lights placed at strategic points will help to put off even the most determined burglar.

A cctv system offers another way to deter intruders and we have the expertise to install a range of systems, with options suitable for all sizes of business premises.  A standard system will offer protection round the clock and can include up to four day/night cameras, whilst a bespoke system can be designed to provide comprehensive protection with up to 16 cameras per video recorder.

Rather than worrying about your business when you should be relaxing this Christmas, why not get in touch with us for advice?  We offer security solutions to suit all premises and budgets and we’re happy to provide a quote at a time to suit you.

Not long to go now until the big day and if you’re anything like the team here at Dalec, the chances are you’re already looking forward to a huge Christmas dinner!

However, you might not realise that around half of all house fires start in the kitchen and with this in mind; we thought we’d take the opportunity to offer some advice on electrical safety in the kitchen.

Kitchen fires start for all sorts of reasons but the majority are due to unattended pans, dodgy wiring or electrical sockets coming into contact with water.  Provided you follow a few simple safety rules though, your kitchen will be a much safer place.

The majority of modern kitchens include an incredible selection of appliances and gadgets so it’s very important that you have enough plug sockets.  Sockets should never be overloaded and regardless of the size of your kitchen, stretching a cable to reach a socket is a definite no-no.  Sockets must be positioned well away from the sink and any other sources of water.

It goes without saying that electrical kitchen appliances must meet current British safety standards, however if used incorrectly, they can still be very dangerous.  Small appliances like kettles and toasters should be turned off when they’re not in use and you should ensure that electrical cables are kept well away from sources of heat or moisture. Never, ever put a toaster or kettle underneath curtains or blinds.

If you’re thinking of investing in a new kitchen, or simply updating the one you have, here at Dalec we are happy to provide advice on electrical safety in the kitchen.  Our services are available to homeowners in Leeds and whether you’d like a quote for a couple of extra sockets or an electrical installation, we’d be happy to help.