Information relating to the reform of the fire and smoke alarms standards: FOI release

Information requested

1) Was an Equality Impact Assessment conducted at any point during the drafting process of this legislative change?

•  Was disability, a protected characteristic per section 4 of the Equality Act 2010, considered in this assessment?
•  Was consideration given to providing an approved appropriate alternative to the alarms set out in the reformed standards for Deaf and Deafblind tenants/homeowners who cannot be alerted by alarms designed for hearing people?

2) Were any equality groups consulted about the change in legislation?

3) When conducting the consultation regarding the new fire and smoke alarms, were third sector organisations/registered charities, other than social housing providers involved in the process?

Response

1. An interim EQIA was published at https://www.gov.scot/publications/equality-impact-assessmentinterim-consultation-fire-smoke-alarms-scottish-homes/.  Disability was one of the protected characteristics considered in the assessment.

In view of the responses received on the EQIA, on which see analysis at https://www.gov.scot/publications/consultation-fire-smoke-alarms-scottish-homes-analysisresponses/pages/7/ we decided that a full impact assessment was not required.

Consideration was not given to providing an alternative alarms system for Deaf and Deafblind tenants or homeowners. The legislation applies to homes in Scotland under the Housing (Scotland) Act 1987 (Tolerable Standard) and relates to the building as opposed to tenants and homeowners. Alarms must meet at least this standard to be suitable for any occupier, but where a deaf or deafblind occupier requires additional or combined alarms, then they may wish to contact their local authority who may be able to provide further advice and support.

2. When the consultation was launched, we alerted 88 individuals representing a wide range of organisations, including several equality groups, some of whom work with disabled people to the consultation and, as with all public consultations, equalities groups and organisations were free to submit responses. A list of responding organisations can be found here: https://consult.scotland.gov.uk/housing-regeneration-and-welfare/fire-and-smoke-alarms-in-scottishhomes/

3. As with all consultations, third sector organisations were free to submit responses to the consultation and we received 109 responses. A list of organisations can be accessed at Appendix 1: Respondent Organisations Fire and smoke alarms in Scottish homes consultation: analysis of responses - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

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