Which smoke alarm?

Discussion in 'Electricians' Talk' started by Big Dee, Feb 5, 2008.

  1. Big Dee

    Big Dee New Member

    Hi,

    I am considering installing a smoke alarm in the loft but do not know if this is :-

    1) a good idea and worth doing?

    2) if it is, then whether it should be battery or mains operated? any recommendations (for either)?

    3) if it's mains, can I connect it to the loft light circuit?

    4) will the smoke alarm be affected, for example, by the high temperature of the loft in the Summer so that is doesn't go off accidently?

    Your advice is appreciated.

    Thanks.
     
  2. sparky Si-Fi

    sparky Si-Fi Screwfix Select

    Hi,

    I am considering installing a smoke alarm in the loft
    but do not know if this is :-

    1) a good idea and worth doing?

    Yes it is cannot have too much fire protection.

    2) if it is, then whether it should be battery or
    mains operated? any recommendations (for either)?

    Mains is the way to go

    3) if it's mains, can I connect it to the loft light
    circuit?

    Yes you can fixed live from the supply NOT switched as per the lamp.

    4) will the smoke alarm be affected, for example, by
    the high temperature of the loft in the Summer so
    that is doesn't go off accidently?

    Nope

    Your advice is appreciated.

    Thanks.
     
  3. Smokey

    Smokey Active Member

    If the loft is unconverted, it's known as an aggressive environment and therefore no go area for smoke alarms, because of dust etc
    The correct alarm is a Heat Alarm as here Big Dee:

    Way 2 Go!!
     
  4. *welsh.wizard*

    *welsh.wizard* New Member

    Agree with Smokey.
     
  5. Big Dee

    Big Dee New Member

  6. Smokey

    Smokey Active Member

  7. Smokey

    Smokey Active Member

    By the way the <u>Slick</u> ones on that page have integral terminal block, so you don't normally need a surface kit.
     
  8. sparky Si-Fi

    sparky Si-Fi Screwfix Select

  9. Big Dee

    Big Dee New Member

    Thanks for the recommendations guys.
     
  10. graham3232

    graham3232 New Member

    The 2007 update to Part B building regs B1 dwellings (domestic) requires all smoke and heat alarms to have a backup power supply. Although NIC do not appear to have adopted this policy yet. Still if certifing to building regs i.e. part P registered then you would have to provide backup to all alarms or the building inspector will hunt you down :(

    Espicially if someones house catches fire during a power cut!
     
  11. Tootyfruity

    Tootyfruity New Member

    Can I ask you what it was that scared you to death for you to want an alarm fitted.
     
  12. sparkin!

    sparkin! New Member

    Never, had a prob, with a smoke alarm, in the old loft!
    Modernised or not!
    YOU, WILL NEED ONE HELL, OF A DRAUGHT!:)
     
  13. sparkin!

    sparkin! New Member

    RULE OF THUMB!
    NEVER INSTALL, A HEAT ALARM AS LIFE SAFETY, DEVICE!:)
     
  14. Big Dee

    Big Dee New Member

    Hi Tootyfruity, I'm not "scared to death". I wanted to add extra smoke alarms in the house and the one for the loft was something I was considering.

    Sorry, a bit confused now, which alarm should I think about, smoke or heat?

    Thanks.
     
  15. Jimbo

    Jimbo Screwfix Select

    The dust in the loft will kill an ionisation or optical alarm.

    Problem with heat detector is that your loft could well approach the trigger temp on a hot sunny day. A couple of years back when it was 37*C I don't think it would be unreasonable to suggest a loft temp would be nugging high 50's.

    Anyway give these could folk a bell:
    http://www.eielectronics.com/contactus.php
     
  16. Smokey

    Smokey Active Member

  17. Big Dee

    Big Dee New Member

    Hi Jimbo,

    I called eielectronics and this confused me, they told me to install an ionisation alarm (EI141) as he said it's less prone to nuisance contamination eg dust. The optical and heat alarms were not recommended.

    Hmmm, not the response I was expecting as it differs from what the others have said in this post. I thought the call would reinforce what you guys have said.
     

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