On a combo electric / battery smoke alarm do you 1, Just test with the power on 2, Test with power off 3, Test with power both off / on 4, Advise customer / tenant / landlord etc of either 1, 2 or 3 5, Use Smoke smatches such as http://www.screwfix.com/p/smoke-matches-tub-of-75/64177?_requestid=288174 What are you thoughts on this ??
If you are talking about testing the interlinked alarms with the test button then just leave the power on and press the button, ensuring that all alarms sound. A control switch is useful for this.
I was mainly referring to smoke alarms in domestic properties, where there are perhaps only 1 or 2 smoke alarms IE: 1 upstairs & 1 Downstairs. However as you made the reference to "interlinked alarms" that can also be added into the questions above please differentiate between the 2 though as to avoid any confusion