General overview appreciated please

[muchtolearn]

Hi all,
First post after reading this excellent forum for ages...

I have converted my cellar to habitable space and am ready to plasterboard it all out. However, I would much appreciate some general advice re alarms and their wiring.

1. Is there an alarm system that I can add fire/smoke alarms to directly, or are they always a separate system?

2. Is it wise to wire smoke alarms to the lighting circuit or does it HAVE to be back to the consumer unit. And if I am wiring two, do they have to be joined?

3. What is the best type of fire alarm - there seem to be quite a lot of different sorts?

Those are my main questions, however if anyone has any strong recommendations of house alarms, I would be very interested. I'm self-installing, but have run 8-core cable to every window and door, so hopefully I'm covered for all eventualities.

My needs:
It's a ground/basement flat. Two cats. Need separate key pad and control box (keypad on the ground floor). An attractive appearance would be welcomed. Wired system. Sash windows. Would be great to have it email/text when it goes off. No subscription.
And ideally I can add ip cameras, or get separate system (any advice).

Sorry for the broad scope of all this, but would welcome any input.

Thank you.

 

[chaindaisy]

Hi,

I've just come across this post and I'm surprised it has been on here for a week with no reply.

Smoke and fire detectors can be added to a security system but this does not mean that your insurer will approve. Fire systems are covered by BS5839 whilst, although there are newer EN regulations, we can say that security is covered by BS4737. So, although you would gain some personal satisfaction in fitting smoke and fire detectors to a burglar alarm system, which you can do without any problems, it would not constitute a bona fide fire system.

Alternatively, settle for a fairly low cost two zone fire panel and detectors which are seperate from the security system. The choice is yours really.

If you're working near the mains lighting circuit, why not add a few maintained lights which come on in the event of a mains failure and may also be linked to the fire panel.

I don't really approve of fitting smoke detectors to the lighting system, emergency lighting is the exception obviously, nor for that matter connecting the security system into the mains lighting wiring.

There are some good looking systems around, most of them are these days.. have a glance at www.securitywarehouse.co.uk or google 'alarm systems', the choice is enormous.

Congratulations on using eight core, and a bit of common sense to boot. It's surprising how many trade installers run six core without the scope for spare cores as and when the need arises.

You should get a few more replies now, so keep an eye on your post.

 

[muchtolearn]

Thank you for your reply chaindaisy. It is much appreciated. I imagine the scope of my question may have been too broad, but I seem to have a lot of questions!

I am not too concerned about meeting any particular regulations, although if I can meet them, so much the better. I'm now thinking a separate fire system is the way to go as you suggest. Keep it simple. I'm just wanting to improve on the couple of battery jobbies I had, which are no longer operational. My priority is getting the wiring in place to keep my options open as I'm gradually boarding out and losing my options.

Thanks for your comments re 8-core wiring. I was wondering if it was overkill, but guess you can't run too much!

Thanks for the link, just don't want to order a system that is totally rubbish and hope for a few recommendations if anyone would be so kind.

I'm sure most on here are veteran installers and this is elementary, but I would very much appreciate any guidance, however sparse.

Thanks again.

 

[Europlex]

we can say that security is covered by BS4737.

We can, but it would be wrong.

Been out of the business that long have you?

 

[chaindaisy]

I always regarded you as a bigger man than that Europlex, and even fought your corner in some posts and thanked you in others ... I am beginning to have second thoughts.

"...Fire systems are covered by BS5839 whilst, although there are newer EN regulations, we can say that security is covered by BS4737..."

You know as well as I that the hypothesis is merely confined to distinguishing smoke detectors in a security system and those in a fire system solely for the benefit of the OP, and simply on that basic precept upon which I base a first reply viz; 'make it as simple as possible' . You know as well as I, that I have covered this topic on several occasions and confirmed that 4737 is, and can be relied upon, in certain eventualities. I therefore make no apology for mentioning 4737, neither to you nor anyone else on this forum. Reference 'wikipaedia' if you're that bored. You may have the last word, I always give the last word to 'trifling unsubstantiated and boring posts'. So say what you have to say, then say Goodbye. I shall not reply to your post. Thank you for all your help in the past and I wish you well for the future.

 

[Europlex]

You obviously don't have a sense of humour, never mind, if that's the way you feel, bye.