Different makes of interlinked smoke alarms

[Paul L]

Hi Everyone,
What are your thoughts on adding a different make of battery back up mains powered smoke alarm?. The quick back story is that there are 2 BRK (I think) interlinked alarms fitted in a property and that particular make are now discontinued. Building control now want an extra one fitted due to extra building work being done and the house owner was just going to get another make but I'm not sure if it will work with the others.

My gut instinct is just to get them to get 3 new ones but as usual they are on a tight budget so I guess I'm asking if anyone has ever fitted one of a different make and it still worked in interlink mode.

 

[telectrix]

replace the old ones and fit 3 Aico. ask customer if his family's lives are worth less than the cost involved. bodge it up and it's you in front of the judge.

 

[westward10]

What is the replacement date on the existing detectors.

 

[Paul L]

replace the old ones and fit 3 Aico. ask customer if his family's lives are worth less than the cost involved. bodge it up and it's you in front of the judge.

I totally agree to be honest Tel, it's not me doing the install because I'm not in a scam now but I did a bit of work for them many moons ago. I've looked at some of the manufacturer advice on this and obviously it not recommended good practice

 

[Paul L]

What is the replacement date on the existing detectors.

They said they were fitted about 7 years ago,am I right in thinking a 10 year recommended replacement or is it less now?

 

[westward10]

There will be a date on them so you need to check. Different models will interact with each other but the cost to replace them all is trivial in the grand scheme of things.

 

[telectrix]

think it's 10 years so they are getting towards replacement anyway. and if a customer says 7 years, it's probably 9 .

 

[Paul L]

It's a no brainer to be honest isn't it. For the sake of a few quid and the fact they've been there for a while just replace the lot. From vague memory I believe they have a volex consumer unit too which I think is now discontinued too.
Think they are going to have to revise their budget ?

 

[littlespark]

if a customer says 7, its probably nearer 11 than 9.


Aico all the way. Fit the lithium battery ones with radiolink... Not cheap, but....

A - no mains, don't need to be on a scam
B - speed of install. 3 up in 10 minutes, time for a coffee

 

[westward10]

The expiry date is from the point of manufacture not the installation date so they could have already lost time sitting on a shelf or rolling around in the back of a van.

 

[Paul L]

if a customer says 7, its probably nearer 11 than 9.


Aico all the way. Fit the lithium battery ones with radiolink... Not cheap, but....

A - no mains, don't need to be on a scam
B - speed of install. 3 up in 10 minutes, time for a coffee

The two existing ones are mains wired and physically interlinked but you're right, it would probably take more time to get an interlink cable to the new position than fit new radio linked ones

 

[Mikegh]

The two existing ones are mains wired and physically interlinked but you're right, it would probably take more time to get an interlink cable to the new position than fit new radio linked ones

You canbuy a radiolink base tpan existing wire head and add a wireless alarm

Or could , been a while since I fitted them but that would probably be my approach

 

[Mikegh]

You can fit a radiolink base to an existing wired head and add a 3rd wireless alarm

Or could , been a while since I fitted them but that would probably be my approach

 

[Mikegh]

I'm probably old school but I prefer a wired link in general

 

[Paul L]

You canbuy a radiolink base tpan existing wire head and add a wireless alarm

Or could , been a while since I fitted them but that would probably be my approach

That certainly sounds like a good solution. They asked me for some initial advice but I'm sure the sparky who may be doing the job would come up with something.
I always wonder when people ask things whether they are doing work themselves but I believe building control are involved so they wouldn't get away with it in this case.

 

[Mikegh]

building control are involved

All is well

 

[Paul L]

All is well

Would you be referring to those electrical experts in most building control departments? ?

 

[MJPD29]

Just replace all 3 they aren't very expensive and it will save any hassle as generally they can't be mixed.

 

[UNG]

The expiry date is from the point of manufacture not the installation date so they could have already lost time sitting on a shelf or rolling around in the back of a van.

The expiry date on Aico detectors is 11 years after manufacture to allow for "shelf time" of up to a year

With the existing detectors already 7 years old I would replace the existing and add the new detector no point wasting time researching what will work with the existing it will probably cost more than replacing

 

[timhoward]

Why is a 'scam' is required to swap two smoke detectors and extend a circuit to add a 3rd, unless 3rd needs completely new circuit or is in a bathroom?