Smoke alarms

[AS]

Any tips on makes models of smoke alarms that have to be wired into the mains with battery back up.

Are these wired in independently (not part of ring) and what cable size is required?

We are not doing this work ourselves I just want to understand what will happen so i know which floor boards to replace and where not to decorate!

 

[andy]

on their own radial using 1 or 1.5mm cable

 

[ban-all-sheds]

If they're battery-backed up, they can share a circuit, and there's a lot to be said for putting them on a lighting one, as you tend to notice, and fix, the loss of lights PDQ.....

 

[andy]

as you tend to notice, and fix, the loss of lights PDQ.....

never thought of it that way

 

[AS]

What do you mean you tend to notice the loss of lights and fix them PDQ?

 

[ban-all-sheds]

What I mean is there's a good case to be made for putting the smokes on a lighting circuit. If they're on their own, and the MCB trips for any reason, you might not notice immediately - guess it depends on the alert that the alarm provides.

If they're on a lighting circuit, and the MCB trips, then you would notice immediately, and not many people sit around in darkness for days/weeks on end because they can't be bothered to reset the breaker....

 

[comms]

Have seen some new ones on the market, that replace existing ceiling rose of the lighting. They are battery backed so will illuminate the light & sounder for a couple of hours if the circuit goes down or is indeed going off due to a smoke logged room. They can also be linked to provide a lighted pathway through a building in the event of fire.
Sorry cant remember the name.

 

[andy]

ive seen them aswell

 

[ban-all-sheds]

They look pretty naff - proper emergency lighting is better.

 

[alertelec]

The best smoke alarms are either the Firex ones ( 4870 with battery backup)or the EI ones (EI141 with battery backup). You will pay between £12 - £16 for one.

There are also alot of cheaper unbranded ones around that may well be OK.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Do they do any wireless ones, to save all that tedious interlinking?

 

[treacleman]

[/url]http://www.aico.co.uk/radiolink_ts.htm available from most reputable wholesalers. Not cheap, but time saved on installation......

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Ta

 

[comms]

Cheers
These will save me an ear bashing from her indoors (no interlinking cable runs & dust required), need to link the new extention to the old hall way.
Building regs pain in the backside.