The alert comes after reports of some devices for vulnerable people being removed during the fitting of new systems to comply with the regulations that came into effect on February 1.

Bob Cairney, director of technical services at SELECT, said: “Social alarms carry out the critical function of connecting vulnerable people to essential services to ensure they get the help they need in the event of a fire.

“Such devices are in addition to internally interlinked smoke alarms and should NOT be removed during installation of new fire and CO system installations. SELECT Members should remember to ask their customers if they have any social alarm systems installed, which they may also refer to as a ‘community alarm’, ‘warden alarm’ or ‘Telecare’.

“If the customer is unsure, you can check by pressing the test button. If it is a social alarm, it will connect to the call centre, and you can tell the operator that you’re testing the alarm.”

Bob Cairney added: “Social alarm systems tend to be used by older people and those with physical and learning disabilities. However, this is not exclusively the case, so it’s always best to check before starting work.”