Smoke alarms are now fitted to all new houses as stated in building regulations. A smoke
alarm will detect smoke and fumes before a dangerous fire develops. By fitting an alarm
vital seconds will help to prevent a major fire incident. When a fire is developing, time
is the most important factor for treating the cause or evacuating the property. The most
common type is battery powered and very easy to install. It incorporates a test button as
well as an early warning signal indicating a low battery, by emitting an intermittent alarm.
Before choosing a smoke detector, make sure it carries the British Standard Kite mark and
conforms to BS 5446 Part 1.
