Replacement Smoke Alarms

[securespark]

Going to replace our two stand alone battery smokes.

They are Kidde i9080EU with a small evac light on them. They are overdue for replacement.

I want to ask sparks here what they are currently fitting. I don't want to go the hardwired route unless I really have to.

Is the RF kit reliable?
My current ones were recommended by Which? more than a decade ago. Are ones with lights on still made? I haven't seen them for a while. Are they even effective in smoke?

Which? are currently recommending the Aico EI 650RF. Has anyone used these?

Thanks peeps.

 

[Murdochcat]

Aico every time. Fitted hundreds, installed them in our home.

 

[JohnW2]

..... I don't want to go the hardwired route unless I really have to. .... Is the RF kit reliable?

Presumably pretty reliable, particularly when from as reputable a source as Aico. However, as I always say, in any context, whenever it's possible/practical, I always favour (and am more comfortable with) 'hard-wired' rather than new-fangled 'wireless' connections - and that thought process is obviously at its greatest when something as safety-critical as smoke alarms are concerned.

In the final analysis, one could only be certain of the 'reliability' of anything by testing it 'every five minutes'

For what it's worth, in my own home, and homes of family members, I've always installed hard-wired Aico ones, and have never had any problems with them. However, they are probably also the most expensive brand, particularly when 'wireless', if that is an issue.

Kind Regards, John

 

[Scally-Ho]

https://www.screwfix.com/p/aico-ei650-battery-standalone-optical-smoke-alarm/998hr

 

[JohnW2]

https://www.screwfix.com/p/aico-ei650-battery-standalone-optical-smoke-alarm/998hr

That's very much 'old hat' s far as Aico alarms go.

 

[endecotp]

Are ones with lights on still made?

I haven’t seen any with find-the-exit lights for a while, though there are some with flashing strobes for the deaf.

Aico do make a relay unit though; I believe you can fit this under any one of your interconnected alarms and make it turn on your own light - e.g. your existing hall lights.

 

[JohnW2]

I haven’t seen any with find-the-exit lights for a while, though there are some with flashing strobes for the deaf.

In any event, one wouldn't normally have an alarm particularly close to an exit, would one?

Aico do make a relay unit though; I believe you can fit this under any one of your interconnected alarms and make it turn on your own light - e.g. your existing hall lights.

Yes, I've seen those in the past, and presume that they still exist. One of my neighbours uses one to feed an "even louder than Aico" siren/klaxon/whatever

 

[pete01]

Can Aico be wirelessly linked?

 

[securespark]

I believe the model I mentioned can be. But I don't know of its reliability.

 

[securespark]

Aico every time. Fitted hundreds, installed them in our home.

Have you used the RF stuff?

 

[JohnW2]

Can Aico be wirelessly linked?

Yes, of course they can (provided they are 'linkable' ones in the first place) can, and have been able to for a long time. If Aico were offering such functionality, then no-one would be

However, wireless interlinking does not come cheap!

 

[pete01]

Yes, of course they can (provided they are 'linkable' ones in the first place) can, and have been able to for a long time. If Aico were offering such functionality, then no-one would be

However, wireless interlinking does not come cheap!

Ive never had the need to do it, what do you need?

 

[JohnW2]

Ive never had the need to do it, what do you need?

"What do I need" ?????

As I've said, I've always used Aico and have always hard-wired them, because I personally feel much more comfortable with a 'safety critical' system hardwired than I would be relying on (unnecessary, even if 'convenient, but pricey) wireless communication.

 

[pete01]

"What do I need" ?????

As I've said, I've always used Aico and have always hard-wired them, because I personally feel much more comfortable with a 'safety critical' system hardwired than I would be relying on (unnecessary, even if 'convenient, but pricey) wireless communication.

You, me, whoever, calm down just after some info, dont worry about it.

 

[securespark]

I'm considering using the Aico EI 650 RF.

Aico EI650iRF RadioLINK Optical Smoke Alarm 10 Year Lithium Battery

Aico's EI650RF is a RadioLINK Battery Powered Optical Smoke Alarm (see's smoke). Detects all domestic fire types with no electrical wiring required. Easy to fit – twist on base and multi-fixings Uses built-in RadioLINK+ technology to interconnect and for data extraction. 10-year life

acaselectrical.co.uk