Here in Scotland, flats are normally freehold with the communal parts like roofs and stairwells jointly owned by the owners of the flats. If someone wants to sue after falling in the stairwell, the owners probably have joint and several liability. In practice the problem is not being sued by visitors, it is getting all the owners to agree to do something.
Can I replace a capacitor pack with a battery?
- Thread starter dnjb
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Would they probably have insurance to cover that liability?
What if Person A ends up with a liability because of something Person B did without A's knowledge or consent?
Think we're getting into murky waters here! 
Firstly, I would hope that in many cases common sense prevails - For example if someone trips and falls because the lights are out and it's dark then IMHO it's their own fault for not carrying out a quick risk assessment and not entering/exiting the building, or getting a torch. The law, leaning more as we are towards the American "it's always someone else's fault" mentality might say different, I do not know.
If the stairs collapsed for some unseen reason then I would say that all the residents are in some way culpable, even if they didn't know about it. Not sure insurance covers common areas and this kind of liability but possibly not.
As endecotp wisely said - the practical problem in this kind of setup is getting people to agree on anything or agreeing to pay their share. I solely pay the majority of things that NEED doing (lights and weedkiller mainly) and don't even bother trying to get anyone to pay - the hassle would cost more in time and aggravation.
Firstly, I would hope that in many cases common sense prevails - For example if someone trips and falls because the lights are out and it's dark then IMHO it's their own fault for not carrying out a quick risk assessment and not entering/exiting the building, or getting a torch. The law, leaning more as we are towards the American "it's always someone else's fault" mentality might say different, I do not know.If the stairs collapsed for some unseen reason then I would say that all the residents are in some way culpable, even if they didn't know about it. Not sure insurance covers common areas and this kind of liability but possibly not.
As endecotp wisely said - the practical problem in this kind of setup is getting people to agree on anything or agreeing to pay their share. I solely pay the majority of things that NEED doing (lights and weedkiller mainly) and don't even bother trying to get anyone to pay - the hassle would cost more in time and aggravation.
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If you do something outwith your competence and someone suffers a loss then you deserve to be.
Interesting choice of word - competence. I'd suggest that twisting then unplugging a box and plugging in a new one is within 90%+ of the population's ability. I've built my own PCs for nearly 20 years so am ultra skilful at unplugging things, and plugging them in.
The issue here is that the battery will be receiving charge intended for the capacitor. If it's alkaline it may burst and damage the electronics. If NiMh the charge current may still not be right for it, and the same may happen. These supercaps are available from electronics suppliers and I suggest you fit correct replacements. Or, call someone who has more experience of alarms.
Other important point, these units are typically 'live chassis' so it is NOT safe to work on the low voltage side with the supply live. If it's a type that unclips off a powered base OK, if not you must isolate before working on it.
Other important point, these units are typically 'live chassis' so it is NOT safe to work on the low voltage side with the supply live. If it's a type that unclips off a powered base OK, if not you must isolate before working on it.
I'd suggest that your incompetence extends to you not having any understanding that what you did was inadvisable.
Trying to repair the old alarm - you're completely correct.
Replacing the entire old unit with a new one, tested and working - you're being a 21C H&S nanny. You know nothing about me, or how careful I was with this - stop being so judgemental and assuming that everyone is somehow incapable of simple things.
ETA: Read a few of your posts on other matters - I recognise your type from many other forums and I won't be responding to you here any more so go ahead fella, have the last word you desperately crave.
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I am sorry dnjb but your own words show that yopu lacked the basic knowledge and replaced a capacitor with a battery. At least you did ask the question but after the event.
I lacked the basic knowledge to mess with the internals of the unit, I have admitted and agreed with (several times) - that was silly.
I asked the question before the day was out and minutes after I tried and realised my mistake. Do not take "I think this might work" as a basis for my entire approach to everything! I may start there sometimes, but I quickly realise and learn. If I had received no response here the least I would have done would have been to disconnect the unit until I got better information.
As I have repeatedly said, in the end it was a truly trivial thing to replace the entire unit. If you guys get off on wrist slapping a mistake (that I admitted to) and assuming that means I cannot change a light bulb then go for your lives.
I have to say, I've read a bit here and see I'm not the only one getting the ban_all_sheds condescending, holier-than-thou, attitude.
There are only two floors to the building with one alarm on each floor. The one on my (ground) floor was already a 9V backup. I had no idea what was in the other one until it started beeping and the girl upstairs asked me to have a look. I assumed a 9V as that was all I'd ever seen. So they were different and worked. Now they are the same and work.
I'm being neither.
I've been trying to get you to grasp the principle that anybody with an IQ bigger than their shoe size should realise the need for formal documented competence in the maintenance of fire alarm systems, and should recognise the existence of legal liabilities when working on shared services in blocks of flats.
An apparently fruitless task - you either cannot or will not understand.
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