Different makes of interlinked smoke alarms

[newfutile]

AICO don’t need a radio base any more for the 3000 series you get a plug in radio link or 2

 

[Paul L]

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?

There are lots of other bits required to be done such as extraction fans in certain areas and some other bits of wiring that definitely need notifying and although qualified I'm not in a scheme or currently hold any insurances so i would rather say no to the whole lot. Sad really but its the way it is.

 

[Midwest]

We have BRK fitted in our residential premises, the developers also fitted Aico products on the same install. I emailed each of the manufacturers, as to whether this was acceptable. Not surprisingly they said they could not guarantee they would function correctly, as they have not been tested with each other.

BRK are still available from some online sources, but have risen in price.

 

[Paul L]

Its difficult isn't it when things get discontinued. Seems to happen an awful lot with electrical stuff. BRK seemed to be around for a long time but suddenly stopped in around 2018 i think it said. Other makes would probably work with them but as all have said it could never really be guaranteed and anything as safety critical as smoke alarms are not to be messed with.

Many thanks to all for your comments and replies, much appreciated.

 

[Mikegh]

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

Oops yes I forget about the expiry when I was posting about adding on

 

[pirate]

I have to agree that messing around to try and fit different makes is a waste of time, and you will have diferent expiry dates etc.
I live in a small development of 30 flats, and there are 2 types, 2-bed and 3-bed. I've fitted a few new smoke/heat alarms for folks who were cognisant of the new regs in Scotland (shelved for a year due to Covid). There's no gas, all electric. Pretty much all that's needed is a heat in the kitchen and a smoke in the living room and another smoke in the hall. All bedrooms are off the hall, and none is more than 5m from the detector in the hall.
I use Aico exclusively, and if you add up the cost of the 3 units, with radio bases, it's not a huge amount. I charge a modest fitting fee, obviously, and any time I have met with a bit of resistance I simply said "how much is your safety worth?" and also pointed out that if they write down the cost over the 10 years life, it's not exactly a king's ransom. I have half a dozen to do on my return from holiday in September. I'll do one a day, and none of the flats is more than 100 metres from my door, so no lugging stuff for miles, and hopefully I'll pick up some more as i go about the place. Anyway, basically, scrub old stuff, fit new, and diary it for replacement as appropriate. Most of my neighbours are quite affluent, which helps, obviously. I suggest it is folly to put your name to a mixed bag of makes, and a mish-mash of interwiring. If you have a detector failure, and you fitted all the same make at the same time, the manufacturers will help you out, but if you add new types to old, I expect you will be on your own, and maybe hung out to dry...

 

[loz2754]

Just to add my bit too what's already been said:

Smoke alarms are there to protect life primarily.

There's not a chance of me taking any kind of risk that the alarms do not function as intended, which means a big fat NO to mix and matching different makes of alarm.

In my opinion, Aico make the best alarms for use in dwellings.