The event then heard a social housing perspective from Jack Devlin, Acting Housing Services Manager for Clydebank Housing Association and Alan Burns, Team Leader at Perth and Kinross Council. Both detailed their approach to the implementation of upgrades to the Fire and Carbon Monoxide alarm systems across their housing stock, praising the invaluable training and support Aico have provided. Jack Devlin outlined the challenges to actioning these upgrades posed by property access, the effects of the pandemic and the issue of evidencing compliance. He went on to say how Aico’s Ei1000G SmartLINK Gateway has provided a solution to the latter, proving to be a crucial tool for the Housing Association. Alan Burns echoed these challenges, highlighting that resident engagement is paramount to reducing access issues. Perth and Kinross Council are also looking to implement Aico’s SmartLINK Gateway in the future, recognising the benefits this will bring to efficient management and maintenance.

An interactive question and answer session concluded the event, with themes around consequences of failing to meet the requirements, the impact on insurance policies, siting and future scope for improvements to standards and legislation pertaining to home life safety.

Tony Boyle, Relationships Manager for Aico commented “The feedback from our Tolerable Standard event has been resoundingly positive with excellent engagement from all those who attended, resulting in insightful and thought-provoking discussions. For the last couple of years we have had many enquiries from Registered Social Landlords, the private rented sector and homeowners on what the Tolerable Standard means for them. As a thought leader within the industry, we took it upon ourselves to provide an opportunity to learn more and pose questions to the Scottish Government, directly clearing up any grey areas and gaining full clarity on the requirements.”

Looking to the future of fire safety legislation throughout the UK, he says “Scotland has been leading the way with fire safety for a number of years, and events like this will be a catalyst for the other home nations to adopt similar legislation and promote best practice, which will in turn create safer communities.”

Aico’s virtual event highlighted that Scotland is adaptive and raises the question can the rest of the UK follow suit in this holistic approach to home life safety?

For more information on the new Scottish legislation, please visit: www.aico.co.uk/scottish-legislation/