Hello. If you are planning, managing or buying a new home, use this checklist to confirm that fire safety, security and electrical systems are considered before handover.
Conwy County Borough Council consented plans on 19 October 2026 for 70 affordable homes at Maes y Felin in Glan Conwy, according to Place North West’s report. The project is part of a wider local need for affordable housing. In Llandudno, ClwydAlyn’s Builder Street development is a separate scheme of 77 affordable homes, with electric-car charging facilities among its features, as described by ClwydAlyn.
These schemes highlight a practical point: safety systems should be planned alongside the homes themselves. This checklist is for developers, registered providers, landlords and buyers across Conwy, Denbighshire and Gwynedd. It is general guidance, not confirmation of the specification for any named development. Dragon Security & Electrical Ltd is not involved in the Glan Conwy scheme.
1. Set the fire strategy before installation
A house and a flat do not necessarily need identical fire detection arrangements. The design should reflect the building layout, occupants, escape routes and applicable Welsh Building Regulations and fire strategy.
For individual houses, specify suitable domestic fire detection and alarm arrangements for the property. For flats, determine how detection within each dwelling relates to shared corridors, stairways and other communal spaces. Avoid assuming that an alarm in one flat should automatically operate throughout an entire block. The fire strategy must set out the intended operation and interfaces.
In Wales, requirements for new homes can include automatic fire suppression, subject to the applicable regulations and any relevant exceptions or transitional provisions. Confirm the requirement for the particular project with the design team and building control. Refer to the current Welsh Approved Document B fire safety guidance and its applicable amendments.
At handover, ask for the fire alarm design information, commissioning records, user instructions and maintenance recommendations. For further context on fire alarm systems, see our guide to BS 5839-1:2025 and fire alarm systems.
2. Include emergency lighting in communal areas
Communal areas need careful assessment. Consider entrances, corridors, staircases, changes in level and final exits. The fire strategy and applicable requirements should determine where emergency lighting is needed and how it should perform if normal lighting fails.
Check that the design, installation and commissioning records are provided. Ask who is responsible for routine inspection and testing once residents move in. Do not assume that lighting installed for everyday use automatically provides emergency lighting.
3. Collect electrical certificates before handover
Electrical safety is a core handover item. Confirm that fixed electrical work has been inspected, tested and certified using the appropriate process. In Wales, electrical work in dwellings must meet Building Regulations requirements; Welsh Government guidance also points to BS 7671, the wiring regulations. Depending on the work and installer, compliance may be certified through a competent-person scheme or checked through building control. See Welsh Government guidance on building regulations and electrics.
Ask for the relevant Electrical Installation Certificate, building regulations compliance certificate where applicable, and details of any outstanding remedial work. Ensure the certification covers the work completed and can be matched to the correct home or communal area.
Buyers and landlords can also ask what inspection and testing arrangements are recommended after occupation or following alterations. Dragon provides electrical testing services for property owners and organisations.
4. Plan EV charging for current and future needs
Decide early how residents will charge electric vehicles. The right approach depends on the site, parking layout, electrical capacity, planning conditions and the development specification. Do not assume every new home is subject to one universal EV-charger requirement: check the project’s planning permission, approved plans, funding requirements and applicable regulations.
Even where chargers are not installed at every parking space on day one, consider how future provision can be made practical. Review available electrical capacity, distribution routes, metering, cable pathways and the layout of parking spaces. Document what is installed now and what would be needed for later expansion.
For more on planning an installation, see our guide to EV charger installation. Dragon can also discuss EV charger installation in North Wales as part of a site-specific assessment.
5. Make communal access simple and secure
Access control systems and door-entry equipment help manage entry to shared entrances. Consider how residents, visitors, carers and maintenance teams will enter, and what happens if a fob is lost or a power supply fails.
Before handover, test the system from both sides of the entrance. Check the release method, intercom, accessible operation and arrangements for managing credentials. Provide residents and the property manager with clear instructions. Agree who can add or remove users and how faults are reported.
6. Assess CCTV and home security separately
CCTV may be appropriate for shared parking, entrances or other communal spaces. Specify the areas to be monitored, the purpose of the system, who may access recordings and how long footage is retained. Consider privacy, signage and the system’s position before installation. Avoid capturing more of neighbouring homes or public space than is necessary.
Individual homes need a separate security assessment. Doors, windows, lighting and residents’ preferences all matter. A suitable intruder alarm can form part of a home security system, but the choice and coverage should match the property and the household. Dragon installs Risco intruder alarm systems.
7. Start planned maintenance on day one
Do not wait for a fault to expose gaps in the maintenance plan. Before occupation, identify who will maintain fire alarm systems, emergency lighting, door entry, access control, CCTV, intruder alarms and communal electrical installations.
Record inspection intervals, test responsibilities, emergency contacts and the process for reporting faults. For multi-property landlords and registered providers, keep consistent records by address and system. A planned preventative maintenance schedule helps ensure checks are completed and issues are tracked.
Handover: what to ask for
Before accepting a home or taking responsibility for a development, ask for a complete, clearly organised handover pack:
- Electrical installation and compliance certificates, as applicable.
- Fire alarm and emergency lighting commissioning records and user instructions.
- Operations and maintenance documentation for installed systems.
- Product and workmanship warranties, with contact details for claims.
- A maintenance schedule, including the party responsible for each task.
- Instructions for access control, door entry, CCTV and intruder alarms.
- Details of any unfinished work, agreed remedial actions or system limitations.
- Relevant building-control records and fire safety information for the responsible person.
Check that documents identify the correct property, system and installer. Keep digital copies where possible, and provide residents with the information they need to use the equipment safely.
Arrange a free survey
Each site has different layouts, occupancy needs and infrastructure. Dragon Security & Electrical Ltd provides free surveys to help developers, landlords and property owners review their fire, security and electrical requirements. Our credentials include NICEIC and SSAIB accreditations.
To discuss fire alarm systems, home security systems, access control systems, electrical testing services or EV charger installation North Wales, call 01492 330330. Selected Risco home alarm installations start at £499.99 + VAT, subject to survey, specification, terms and conditions.
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