retrofit fire alarm to wired smoke detectors in home

[higgs]

Hi
Is this possible. I have wired in smoke detectors in each room in a 4 bed semi. However they are not loud enough and I worry in the event of a fire they will not wake anyone if they sound during the night. I'd like to retrofit a fire alarm to the system which sounds if any smoke detector goes off in the home. Please advise if this is possible. I can provide the makes of the smoke detectors if required.
What would be the cheapest and most elegant solution.

Thanks in advance for any replies.
regards
Higgs

 

[Specialist]

What are the smoke detectors currently connected to ?.

 

[westward10]

How have you decided they have inadequate audibility.

 

[higgs]

What are the smoke detectors currently connected to ?.

Nothing they would just sound but they are connected together so they sound collectively albeit not in perfect synchronisation. Still not loud enough though.

 

[higgs]

How have you decided they have inadequate audibility.

I was asleep and a family member was cooking in the kitchen something burnt and set off the smoke detector but I didn't hear anything and wasn't woken by the sound. Neither am I a heavy sleeper.

 

[Specialist]

Do you know if they're mains or battery powered ?.

 

[higgs]

Do you know if they're mains or battery powered ?.

mains powered

 

[Specialist]

As long as they are linked using 3 core & earth cable, they should be able to be replaced with other mains powered smokes. I would suggest Aico, meaning no disrespect but if you can sleep through those going off your deaf.
You would be best off getting advice from a good local electrician who can see what's installed and give you better advice.

 

[Midwest]

Think the OP has provided live feed to each new detector and not linked them?

OP you could install 'radio linked' detectors, which while not cheap, would negate the need to hard wire between each detector. I would also consider installing a control switch as well.

I would also concur with the advice of employing a competent electrician.

 

[LankyWill]

Out of interest why the need to provide smoke detectors in each room? I think an interlinked high quality smoke detection system(aico) should suffice in your situation. Best get an electrician in to offer some advice.

 

[onions1066]

I have 13 linked together ( aico ) when they go off they are soooooo loud it makes the kids cry so how you sleep through it is have no idea. It would be cheaper to get your ears syringed. I had to put one in every room aservice a compromise with building control rather than fire doors after a loft conversion

 

[Specialist]

If they're not linked then it's not much wonder the OP couldn't hear the alarm, ridiculous idea & waste of money to my mind.

 

[Octopus]

I have 13 linked together ( aico ) when they go off they are soooooo loud it makes the kids cry so how you sleep through it is have no idea. It would be cheaper to get your ears syringed. I had to put one in every room aservice a compromise with building control rather than fire doors after a loft conversion

13 smoke alarms, really?

We have 5 and when they go of is enough to wake the dead

 

[onions1066]

Get yourself some wireless bases.

 

[westward10]

Our sense of how loud something is

I have 13 linked together ( aico ) when they go off they are soooooo loud it makes the kids cry so how you sleep through it is have no idea. It would be cheaper to get your ears syringed. I had to put one in every room aservice a compromise with building control rather than fire doors after a loft conversion

May as well have put a Part 1 system in.