What we learned from 828 LD1 fire alarm upgrades

Written by Michael Simm, Co-founder and Operations Director, SEGplc. Published 26 October 2026.

Each visit combined two jobs: an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) on the home, and an upgrade of its fire detection to LD1. For this article we read a random sample of 40 jobs: 31 EICRs and 28 alarm reports. The figures below come from that sample, so treat them as a guide, not a census.

1. A quarter of homes didn’t need new alarms

In 7 of the 28 homes, the existing alarms were in date and in the right places. We serviced and tested them and fitted nothing new. In 3 more, we kept some alarms and added the rest. Only 18 needed a complete new system. Surveying first, rather than replacing everything by default, saves money and a day of disruption for the tenant.

2. A typical home ends up with five alarms

After the work, the median home had 5 alarms, with a range of 1 to 9 depending on size. Across the sample we fitted 96 new alarms: 59 smoke, 19 heat and 18 multi-sensor. 27 of the 28 homes ended up with a heat alarm in the kitchen; the one exception was a home where the tenant refused access to the kitchen.

3. Radio-linked alarms keep the disruption down

Most homes got Aico battery alarms that talk to each other by radio, so there are no new cables to chase into walls. Where mains alarms went in, radio bases linked them to the rest. Only 6 of 28 homes needed a new cable run to an alarm point. In 19 homes we also fitted a wall controller, so the tenant can test and silence the system from one place.

4. Light fittings are part of the job

We replaced at least one light fitting in 19 of the 28 homes, mostly old fluorescent kitchen battens swapped for LED. Plan for it in the programme budget.

5. Most homes passed their EICR, but the installations are old

• 26 of 31 EICRs were satisfactory as found. The 5 unsatisfactory reports held 10 C2 observations between them, and no C1s.
• The median installation was about 30 years old, and none of the 31 homes had a record of a previous inspection.
• The most common observations were improvement recommendations (C3): older type AC RCDs (27 of 31 homes), no surge protection (27 of 31) and plastic consumer units (14 of 31).
• Other finds: too few sockets, with adaptors in use (4 homes), missing RCD protection on some circuits (4), and damaged consumer unit covers (3). Small things, such as a cracked socket, were put right on the day.

For more on what EICRs find, see what we found in 101 home EICRs.

6. Record every refusal

In 3 of the 28 homes, the tenant refused access to at least one room. We record each refusal on a form at the door, so the landlord can show it took reasonable steps and rebook.

What this means if you are planning a programme

1. Survey before you specify. Up to a quarter of homes may only need a service.
2. Do the EICR and the alarms on one visit. One appointment, one access attempt, one set of photos.
3. Budget for the extras: light fittings, the odd new cable run, and remedials on about one home in six.
4. Make refusals part of the paperwork, not an afterthought.

Figures from SEG’s job records (828 jobs) and a random sample of 40 jobs’ reports, read in October 2026. Percentages from a sample are indicative.