Which smokes to fit - mains or battery powered?

[ringer]

I don't normally get involved in this but have been asked by customer to fit smoke alarms - this is for a property that will be rented out. I know that mains powered smokes used to be the way to go in this situation as tenants tended to take out the PP3 batteries to use in other equipment. Nowadays though you can get sealed in 10-year lithium versions which to my mind negates the 'battery removal' problem. Fitting these battery powered ones is clearly the cheaper option for my customer as he does not have to pay for me to install wiring (converting existing premises so access for new cabling is not easy) and gives greater flexibility in fitting them in the ideal position (rather than only where it might be possible to get a cable to it). I understand that even mains powered smokes need replacing every ten years, so what are the benefits of fitting mains powered smokes these days?

 

[telectrix]

the main benefit is the interlink, so that if, say, the downstairs smoke activates when you're away with th fairies, then the upstairs one will also sound, thus waking you from your slumber before the house has burnt down.

 

[Octopus]

Mains interlinked...

 

[Paul.M]

Rented properties and HMO's need to be hard wired. Here is a very useful link with a PDF link for the building regs Doc B.

Interlink fire alarms – What’s the connection? - https://www.fireangel.co.uk/blog/interlink-fire-alarms-whats-the-connection

 

[Octopus]

^^ that's interesting, tell that to landlords and they don't believe you....

 

[Risteard]

Battery-only units are not a Grade D system - they are Grade F. The Standards have not caught up with the extended battery life so these are not an option.

 

[Deleted member 93172]

Personally I hard wire detectors and use multi sensors and heat detector for kitchens, plus co2 detectors where required its more expensive to install but a better system in my opinion, I will also include a test and reset switch.

 

[NDG Elecs]

Rented properties and HMO's need to be hard wired. Here is a very useful link with a PDF link for the building regs Doc B.

Interlink fire alarms – What’s the connection? - https://www.fireangel.co.uk/blog/interlink-fire-alarms-whats-the-connection

According to whom Paul? Is this 5839?? I thought hard wired in rentys was a requirement in Scotland, but that England only required a functioning smoke alarm on each floor (there was new legislation last October). I had a little read through the legislation at the time and it only stipulated one on each floor, nothing more nothing less.

 

[MJPD29]

As the others say the interlinking is a major plus of the mains ones, a better job all round

 

[Paul.M]

According to whom Paul? Is this 5839?? I thought hard wired in rentys was a requirement in Scotland, but that England only required a functioning smoke alarm on each floor (there was new legislation last October). I had a little read through the legislation at the time and it only stipulated one on each floor, nothing more nothing less.

"As defined in Buildings Regulations Document B, new residential buildings, conversions or houses of multiple occupation (HMOs) require a mains-powered interlinked smoke alarm with a dedicated battery backup supply. With this in mind, it’s imperative that landlords work to implement these interconnected alarm systems in order to provide the highest levels of fire and CO protection for tenants."

 

[NDG Elecs]

"As defined in Buildings Regulations Document B, new residential buildings, conversions or houses of multiple occupation (HMOs) require a mains-powered interlinked smoke alarm with a dedicated battery backup supply. With this in mind, it’s imperative that landlords work to implement these interconnected alarm systems in order to provide the highest levels of fire and CO protection for tenants."

Ah ok, thanks. So it is more new builds and HMOs rather than your typical buy to let type property.
Interlinked is obviously a whole lot better than single units, and I am sure the Scottish stance on interlinked and compulsory EICRs will filter down here within the next few years..

 

[geordie]

Try these ones battery and interlinked wireless
FireAngel WST-630Q Wireless Interlink Thermoptek Smoke Alarm - https://www.screwfix.com/p/fireangel-wst-630q-wireless-interlink-thermoptek-smoke-alarm/87048

 

[telectrix]

Try these ones battery and interlinked wireless
FireAngel WST-630Q Wireless Interlink Thermoptek Smoke Alarm - https://www.screwfix.com/p/fireangel-wst-630q-wireless-interlink-thermoptek-smoke-alarm/87048

interesting.

 

[NDG Elecs]

They are actually a very decent price too. Never used them, but fitted plenty of the 10yr non interlinked ones. They look smart too.

 

[ashg285]

Mains interlinked. Aico lithium

 

[telectrix]

ahhh.lithium. dog's bollox.

 

[Octopus]

Anyone issue fire alarm certs to domestic customers?

tin hat on.

 

[Andy78]

Anyone issue fire alarm certs to domestic customers?

tin hat on.

Yes. With every interlinked system. Doesn't even take as long as the accompanying MWC.

 

[kingeri]

Who advises customers on smokes during EICRs? Not as part of the formal process, obviously. I always give the advice as an aside, sort of thing. The wiring could be perfect, but there could be no smokes at all in the house, I just think it is worth a mention.

 

[Octopus]

Who advises customers on smokes during EICRs? Not as part of the formal process, obviously. I always give the advice as an aside, sort of thing. The wiring could be perfect, but there could be no smokes at all in the house, I just think it is worth a mention.

If they are fitted and are main powered, I will comment on them ..... if there aren't any I do comment but as they are not part of an EICR, they can't influence the outcome..