Smart Home Fire and CO Detection Integration Guide¶
Guide to integrating smart smoke and carbon monoxide alarms with UK smart home platforms covering legal requirements, interconnected alarms, emergency automations, and compliance with BS 5839 Part 6.
UK Legal Requirements for Smoke and CO Alarms¶
UK regulations require smoke alarms on every floor of rented properties (Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm Regulations 2015). From 2022, alarms must be working at the start of each tenancy. For owner-occupied homes, Building Regulations (Part B) require mains-wired or battery-powered smoke alarms complying with BS 5839 Part 6. Carbon monoxide alarms are required in rooms with solid fuel appliances (wood burners, coal fires) and are recommended near all fuel-burning appliances. Smart smoke alarms: FireAngel Thermoptek Smart (Wireless interconnected, BS 5446-2 compliant, £30-£45 each), Kidde Smart (Wireless, £25-£40, works with Kidde app), Nest Protect (Battery or wired, split-spectrum sensor, Smoke + CO, £100-£130 from Currys), Ring Alarm Smoke Alarm (Wireless, integrates with Ring system, £35-£50), Hive Smoke Alarm (Integrates with Hive ecosystem, £35-£45). All must carry CE/UKCA marking and BS EN 14604 certification for smoke or BS EN 50291 for CO.
Smart Home Integration for Fire Safety¶
Integrating fire/CO alarms with your smart home creates life-saving automations. Detection automations: when smoke alarm triggers - unlock all smart locks (enables escape), turn on all interior lights (illuminates escape route), turn off gas boiler (prevents gas explosion risk), announce via all smart speakers FIRE - EVACUATE - ASSEMBLE AT [meeting point], send urgent push notification to all household phones, flash exterior lights (visibility for fire service), and call 999 via Alexa Guard Plus or Nest Aware. When CO alarm triggers: open smart blinds and windows (where motorised), turn off all fuel-burning appliances, announce CARBON MONOXIDE - EVACUATE IMMEDIATELY via smart speakers, send urgent notification, and call gas emergency 0800 111 999. Night-time safety: when alarms trigger at night, smart lights on the escape route should illuminate at full brightness (not dim night mode). Smart locks must unlock immediately - do not require code to exit. Pre-warning: some smart smoke alarms (Nest Protect) give an early warning via voice before the full alarm - use this to pre-trigger escape route lighting. Maintenance reminders: smart smoke alarms send low-battery warnings and cleaning reminders. Test all alarms weekly via the app. Replace all detectors every 10 years per BS 5839 guidance. Keep a fire extinguisher (BS EN 3 rated) and fire blanket in the kitchen. Smart home integration turns your house from passively alerting you of danger into actively helping you escape and alerting emergency services automatically.
Specifications and Comparison¶
| Alarm Type | Smart Model | Integration | UK Price | Battery Life |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smoke + CO | Nest Protect | Alexa, Google, HomeKit | £100-£130 | 5-7 years sealed battery |
| Smoke only | FireAngel Thermoptek | Alexa (via hub) | £30-£45 | 10 years sealed battery |
| Smoke only | Kidde Smart | Kidde app + Alexa | £25-£40 | 10 years sealed battery |
| Smoke only | Ring Alarm Smoke | Ring ecosystem | £35-£50 | 5 years (replaceable) |
| Smoke + CO | Hive Smoke/CO | Hive ecosystem | £35-£45 | 5 years (replaceable) |
FAQ¶
- Are smart smoke alarms worth the extra cost?
- Yes - the integration with smart home systems provides life-saving automations: unlocking doors, turning on lights, announcing evacuation instructions, and automatically alerting emergency services.
- Do I still need professional fire alarms if I have smart ones?
- Smart home smoke alarms meet BS 5839 Part 6 requirements for domestic use. They do not replace commercial-grade fire alarm systems (BS 5839 Part 1) which may be required for HMOs or larger properties.
- Can my smart home automatically call the fire brigade?
- Alexa Guard Plus can call emergency services. Nest Aware offers professional monitoring. For most smart alarms, the alert goes to your phone - you must call 999 yourself or arrange ARC monitoring. For more information see our Smart Home Child Safety and Parental Controls Guide.
Last updated: 2026-05-31.
Related Guides¶
- Smart-Home Overview
- Smart Home Child Safety and Parental Controls Guide
- Smart Home Hub Setup Guide UK
External Resources¶
For further information consult authority guidelines at the Electrical Safety First.