Written question WQ84617
- Asked by
- Joel JamesConservative
- To be answered by
- Minister for Social Justice
- Tabled
- Due
- Answered
- Time to answer
- 2 days
Question
How many homes have been assessed as high risk as part of a fire safety visit and then had a fire and smoke alarm system installed that is compliant with the latest regulatory standards?
Answer
Answered by Deputy Minister for Social Partnership
In the last 5 years, our Fire and Rescue Services (FRS) have carried out almost 235,000 home safety visits across Wales. As part of each visit, the FRS provides fire safety advice and equipment including smoke or heat alarms (or visual or tactile alarms for people with sensory impairments) where households do not already have them.
These visits are available to anyone in Wales who would like one by contacting their local fire and rescue service. The visits are not restricted to those who could be at high risk. The FRS does, however, prioritise visits to households at most risk, in partnership working with public and third sector organisations to whom those individuals are already known.
The alarms that the FRS supplies are sealed long-life battery-powered units which comply with British Standard BS 5839 Part F. Firefighters are unable to install mains-powered alarms, which will shortly be required in all rented properties in Wales. This is a task for a qualified electrician.
Smoke alarms and all other items of equipment are fully funded by the Welsh Government and are therefore free of charge to householders. Overall, the programme we have in place in Wales is significantly more extensive and generous than those elsewhere in the UK.