Aico ei141rc smoke alarm replacement needed

Just been woke up by the damn smoke alarm beeping every 40 secs,Dog going crazy same as the mrs.

I don't know who designed this alarm but trying to get the top off is impossible the instructions make it sound so easy insert screwdriver into slot and push the same way as the arrow only it doesn't budge at all! Gave up trying after 45 mins trying all sorts.

Even turning the fuse off for the smokes still doesn't stop it!

Any way it's been ripped off the ceiling so looks like I'll be shopping for new smoke alarms in the morning any recommendations?

I'm going to test the one at the top of the landing today to see if that one opens ok

If you have other smoke detectors,it is best to replace with same manufacturer can be a different model number.

bettz1 said:

trying to get the top off is impossible the instructions

Click to expand...

For future reference, if you have more in the house, push a thin slotted, parallel tip screwdriver, 3.5mm wide, into the centre of the slot, fairly deep, maybe 10 to 15mm. Don't try to lever or twist or anything, it will release, just keep it parallel with the ceiling. The slot being quite wide makes it look like you need a wide screwdriver, but anything wider than 3.5mm will hit the other parts of the tab, preventing you from pushing it in far enough to release it.

As rsgaz says, a small screw driver is needed, and even then there is a bit if a nack, and it is fustrating.
But I would suggest getting another Aico as they are good.

Found this youtube video last night followed the instructions but it would not budge.

Just tried the one at the top of the landing and it opened straight away

Is there any difference in the ei141rc vs ei146rc?

Aico's website is saying the 141 is good for bedrooms where's the 146 fits in Hallways, Landing, Livings Room, Dining Room i want it for the hallway but would that mean i'd have to change the one upstairs

So my quick answer is that both 141/Ionisation and 146/Optical are good and much much better that not having one.
It does not matter to your system if you have a mixture of 141/Ionisation and 146/Optical.
Whichever you get will impove your safety, so if on budget get 141/Ionsiation. But best to get 146/Optical one if you can afford it.
Also, you do not need to change the one you have upstairs - if you are happy you can update that one to correct version when/if it starts to fail.


Longer answer is
ei141 is Ionisation costing about £15
ei146 is Optical costing about £25

ei141 --- £15 --- Ionisation smoke alarms (stairwells, landings, offices):Ionisation smoke detectors have traditionally been used throughout properties for many years. Designed to react quickly to fast flaming fires, ionisation smoke alarms are most sensitive to small particles. When fires produce little or no smoke but the fuel is subject to rapid combustion, the ionisation smoke detector is the quickest to sense its presence. These fires tend to originate from materials such as paper and clothing. It's quick reaction to small particles can make the ionisation smoke alarm prone to false alarms, particularly when located near kitchens. Because of this, it is recommended for ionisation alarms to be installed in stairwells, upstairs landings and offices. This should avoid the occurrence of nuisance alarms when cooking or burning toast!

ei146 --- £25 ---Optical smoke alarms (also called photo-electric smoke alarm) (bedrooms, lounges, offices, hallways and landings):
Less prone to false alarms than ionisation, optical smoke detectors are slightly quicker at detecting slow smouldering fires that tend to produce a lot of smoke. These fires tend to originate from upholstery type materials or over heated wiring. Also known as photo-electric alarms, this quick response time to smouldering fires is down to the optical smoke alarm's high sensitivity to large particles in the air. The optical sensing chamber effectively "sees" when smoke is present, as the large particles block and cause an infrared light to scatter. Optical smoke detectors are suitable for installing in bedrooms and living rooms where soft furnishings and cables are common place. They can also be installed in downstairs hallways as they are significantly less likely than ionisation alarms to sound falsely when cooking fumes are present from the kitchen. Optical alarms are, however, not suitable for areas open to the elements and very dusty environments.
https://www.safelincs.co.uk/smoke-alarm-buying-guide/

You are correct in that Aico website says different from the website I used above.
Note that my house is filled only with Ionisation sensors because that was what was commonly avaliable when fitted.

Ionisation Sensors - Bedrooms
Alarms containing ionisation sensors use a small radioactive source to detect the invisible smoke particles given off by fast-flaming, clean burning fires such as bedding and clothing.
However they can be prone to false alarms from cooking fumes if fitted near kitchens.

Optical Sensors - Living Room, Dining Room, Hallway, Landing
Alarms containing optical sensors use an infra-red beam to detect smoke. They detect smoke from slow, smouldering fires such as electrical fires and are less prone to false alarms from cooking fumes if fitted in the hallway next to kitchens.
https://www.aico.co.uk/technical_support/choosing-alarm-sensor-types/

Cheers guys went for the ei146

One thing to add, if it does not have a date sticker, suggest you write todays date on the back next to the battery. Then in a few years you will know this is new one and the others are older.
SFK

I've ordered some spare 9v battery's as we never have them lying around