The London Fire Brigade runs a free Home Fire Safety Visit (HFSV) for households at higher risk of fire. A LFB officer or community partner visits, surveys the home, and where the existing detection is missing or end-of-life they fit free 10-year sealed-battery alarms on the spot. Eligibility is broad: anyone aged 65 or over, disabled occupants, single-parent households with young children, anyone with mobility or cognitive impairment, smokers, and households that have already had a fire incident.
The HFSV is the right first call for owner-occupier households that meet the eligibility criteria. The scheme fits Grade F (battery-only) detection sized to a domestic LD3 schedule — enough to meet the legal minimum, not enough to meet HMO licensing or rental compliance. Landlords cannot use the free scheme to discharge their own legal duty under the 2015 Regs — that responsibility sits with the owner of the tenancy.
When the free scheme does not apply — landlord, HMO, BS 5839-6 LD2 required, or simply not eligible —Electrician London installs at £180 per point. A typical 3-bed owner-occupier upgrade to Grade D mains-interlinked detection runs £550-£750 covering everything: alarms, wiring, interconnect and the BS 5839-6 certificate.
Why Electrician London
LFB Home Fire Safety Visit
Free survey + free sealed-battery alarms for eligible households. Book direct at london-fire.gov.uk or call 0800 028 4428.
Eligibility is broad
Over 65, disabled, mobility impaired, single parent with young children, smoker, prior fire incident. Most households tick at least one box.
Self-funded upgrade £180 / point
When the free scheme fits the legal minimum but you want LD2 interlinked Grade D, we upgrade for £180 per point all-in.
Landlord pathway
Free LFB scheme does not cover landlord duty. We provide BS 5839-6 LD2 install + council-ready paperwork for rentals and HMOs.
Smoke alarm grant and self-funded pricing
Free scheme via LFB for eligible owner-occupiers. Self-funded prices below.
LFB Home Fire Safety Visit
Sealed-battery alarms for eligible households
Free
Self-funded Grade D mains install
BS 5839-6 LD2, mains + battery
£180 / point
Self-funded sealed-battery install
10-year alarm, owner-occupier
£85 / point
Owner-occupier 3-bed full upgrade
3-4 points interlinked Grade D
£550-£750
Landlord per-property install
Full LD2 + CO + council paperwork
£900-£1,260
What's covered (self-funded install)
- Site survey and LD2 schedule
- Grade D or sealed-battery alarms (your choice)
- Interconnect (wired or radio) if mains
- Mains supply from lighting circuit
- BS 5839-6 commissioning test
- BS 5839-6 commissioning certificate
- Minor Works certificate (mains installs)
- Logbook and install photographs
Frequently asked questions
How do I book a free LFB Home Fire Safety Visit?
Apply at london-fire.gov.uk/safety/the-home/home-fire-safety-visit or call 0800 028 4428. LFB will ask a few eligibility questions and book a visit, usually within four weeks. Visits are free regardless of tenure but the fitted alarms only cover owner-occupier domestic detection.
Who qualifies for the free scheme?
LFB criteria are broad: aged 65+, disabled, mobility impaired, single-parent household with young children, regular smoker, hoarding behaviours, recent fire incident, alcohol or drug dependency, or living alone with one or more of those factors. Most older or vulnerable households qualify.
What alarms does LFB fit for free?
Currently a 10-year sealed-battery optical smoke alarm (Grade F). Coverage is typically one alarm per storey in escape routes (LD3 standard). Heat alarms and CO alarms are sometimes fitted depending on the property and the appliances present.
Can a landlord use the free scheme to comply with rental duty?
No. The landlord duty under the Smoke and CO Regulations 2015 is non-transferable and the LFB scheme does not discharge it. Landlords must provide and certify alarms separately. Tenants can still personally request a Home Fire Safety Visit for their own benefit.
Why pay £180 per point if LFB fits free?
Because the LFB scheme fits LD3 battery-only — the legal minimum for owner-occupiers. £180 per point upgrades to Grade D mains-interlinked LD2 — the standard required in rentals and the recommended standard for any household sleeping behind closed bedroom doors. Different jobs, different prices.
Are there other smoke alarm grants in London?
Some boroughs run targeted schemes for over-75 households or for properties with known fire history. Age UK occasionally partners with LFB on extended visits. Beyond those, no general-purpose smoke alarm grant exists for working-age homeowners or landlords.
Will LFB upgrade existing Grade F to Grade D?
No — the free scheme fits sealed-battery alarms only. Mains-powered Grade D installs require an electrician working under BS 7671 and BS 5839-6, which is paid work. We install at £180 per point.
How long does the LFB visit take?
Usually 45-60 minutes for the survey plus 15-30 minutes per alarm fitted. Most visits finish in under two hours including a fire-safety briefing. LFB also leaves general fire-safety advice and a contact card for ongoing support.
Related services
NICEIC engineers, same-day across London.
Director-led, no call-centre. Same-day digital certificate, no upfront payment.
Call 020 3633 5557