Aico.
no one else makes them with a 10yr battery and radio interlink.
As far as I know.
no one else makes them with a 10yr battery and radio interlink.
As far as I know.
The fireangel battery wifi detectors, in my experience at least, don't last.
I've been to a few properties to install wired systems after the owner has installed these and they are failing after 12 months or so.
The regulation states that the batteries should be tamper proof which the Fireangel are.
Something like the Fireangel is the cheapest option but I'd always recommend hard wired Aico with lithium battery backup.
The legislation is available on the Scottish government website and Aico have a guide on theirs too.
I've been to a few properties to install wired systems after the owner has installed these and they are failing after 12 months or so.
The regulation states that the batteries should be tamper proof which the Fireangel are.
Something like the Fireangel is the cheapest option but I'd always recommend hard wired Aico with lithium battery backup.
The legislation is available on the Scottish government website and Aico have a guide on theirs too.
Aico for me. I've installed a few in the past years to make rented properties comply and not had a failure yet, and I will be using them in the coming months. Just worry that as the new Scottish regs become more widely-known, Aico may run out of stock...
Aico have just sent out leaflets to everyone on the planet about the change in legislation due in Feb.
N
nicebutdim
I'd imagine Aico will have planned for this and intend getting their product into every possible home.
Aico being very proactive on this.
I got a leaflet through the door last week, from aico on the 12th.... the same day the Scot govt published the same thing on their website.
looked at fire angel pro brand detectors in Homebase today, but I think I’ll still insist on aico.
I got a leaflet through the door last week, from aico on the 12th.... the same day the Scot govt published the same thing on their website.
looked at fire angel pro brand detectors in Homebase today, but I think I’ll still insist on aico.
Just to correct your post
The new legislation for Scotland was introduced in February 2019 with a period of 2 years allowed to meet the requirements of that legislation. The February 2021 date is the date by which all properties must be compliant with the legislation
I knew it had been introduced 2019 with the Feb date for everybody to comply. Most people will be like me, either never payed attention or just don't know.
I'll be getting my finger out over the next few months and getting dad and my own up to spec.
I'm a spark but have never really worked domestic, number one son is an electrician and works for himself, and he says he only uses Aico. My brother keeps looking into cheaper options like HiSpec, I'm just trying to get the consensus from sparks who install these things on a regular biases.
The Aico stuff is expensive, comparatively...and telling customers it will last 10 years isn't helpful, but what price safety?
The answer you will get is "I haven't had these in my house for the 40 years I've been here, so why now?"
Move on...
Fit the best, fit it properly, and you can't be blamed.
The answer you will get is "I haven't had these in my house for the 40 years I've been here, so why now?"
Move on...
Fit the best, fit it properly, and you can't be blamed.
Dartlec
Arms
I've seen guidance (I forget where - possibly in an ESF document), that when a tenant is on a key meter and may go through periods with no power, a battery only solution may be preferable - as it ensures that the alarm is still active when they have no money on a Friday night to load the meter.
Not sure what the standby time is on the mains ones with lithum battery - they may still be the best option though.
From my experience with EICRs on rented properties , the 9V battery backup ones are pointless as they will either run out or be removed when the toast sets them off - same with those on their own circuit - that circuit always ends up turned off.
The legislation is trying to do away with the 9v replacable battery’s for just that... people taking the battery out...
I saw a fire angel pro display in Homebase that stated they were “used by 90% of fire brigades”
Yes.... cheap and cheerful. When the fire service would put one in when none existed before. The cheap ones they put in are now all illegal (in Scotland)
Actually....my local Homebase is in England.
Edit
I signed up for the aico expert installer course... it’s done online now.
possibly just going over the instructions regarding positioning, but maybe I get a badge???
I saw a fire angel pro display in Homebase that stated they were “used by 90% of fire brigades”
Yes.... cheap and cheerful. When the fire service would put one in when none existed before. The cheap ones they put in are now all illegal (in Scotland)
Actually....my local Homebase is in England.
Edit
I signed up for the aico expert installer course... it’s done online now.
possibly just going over the instructions regarding positioning, but maybe I get a badge???
Last edited:
It beggars belief, but as said above, the number of times folk remove the PP3 batteries from alarms for kid's toys, etc. Surprising when thought about, and sad when it is discovered in a fatal accident inquiry.
I personally prefer ones I can replace the battery in, but then I like to think I am not a complete muppet who is going for a trip on moron road!
I personally prefer ones I can replace the battery in, but then I like to think I am not a complete muppet who is going for a trip on moron road!
Dartlec
Arms
Didn't they have a problem a few years back when a load of their '10 year battery' ones were giving up after 3 years?
Still better than nothing at all I guess...
A 10 year battery smoke detector will work for all that time as long as it doesn’t go off.
Surely every time it sounds, the battery will be depleted a bit
Surely every time it sounds, the battery will be depleted a bit
I usually install a mains powered smoke with 10 year battery, run off the hall lighting circuit, and use radio linked battery only for the other smokes/heat. I think every time the alarm sounds on the battery ones they will deplete a little, but apart from the monthly test that lasts about 10 seconds, i doubt if that depletion will significantly reduce the 10 year life.
In Scotland you can now fit all-battery radio linked in rented houses and existing houses. This is to encourage fitting. However, I believe that Building Control have not yet adopted this, so in new builds hard wired mains powered is still the way to go. Nobody ever checked up on my rentals, it's the rules to have detectors, and until recently they had to be hard-wired. Just as with EPCs, it's the landlord's duty to have one, but nobody ever checked unless a problem arose. I used the hybrid layout I mentioned earlier and made an enquiry of BC and they effectively shrugged and said it was fine in the circumstances, but obviously not in writing. Their attitude was that they were more concerned that landlords did actually fit something, rather than do nothing. A tenant did, some years ago, remove the detector from the kitchen ceiling in one of my flats, because of nuisance alarms. Thereafter when I fitted the new Aico system they couldn't readily do that, and anyway nuisance alarms didn't occur.
Isnt there a "replace by" date on this smoke detector? usually 10 years also.
EI electronics is Aico under a different name.
The Scot govt publication does state mains powered OR long life battery, with hard wired interlink OR radio.... so that covers it.
It makes sense to make them hard wired in new builds, while the rest of the wiring is being done. Cheaper when it comes to replacing them.
Do you have a link for this as it was my understanding they still had to be hard wired? I'd like to update my info.
It’s on the government U.K. site. If you type Gov Scotland fire alarms in google you should find it. Interested in your opinion hard wired vs wireless and battery vs mains powered. I think the price quoted mentions diy prices and states you need electrician off hard wired!
In addition the site mentions a guidance document and I quote from it:
“Mains-operated alarms (with battery backup) are permitted, and tamper proof long-life lithium battery alarms (i.e. not PP3 type or user-replaceable) are also permitted. Alarms should be regularly maintained and tested in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions.”
Never seems to get mentioned that the Aico 3000 series of alarms HAVE to be mains powered to charge the batteries that enable the ten year period to be maintained, if not mains powered the battery will keep the units working for four months only.
I think it's expected that mains powered battery backup detectors would need to have mains power.
It may just be me, but the Aico description could be miss-read:
Its a bit clearer in the Downloaded Data Sheet, but I'm a man I don't read instructions. LOL
https://www.aico.co.uk/product/ei30...o.co.uk/wp-includes/images/media/document.png
- Mains powered with 10 year rechargeable lithium cell back-up
Its a bit clearer in the Downloaded Data Sheet, but I'm a man I don't read instructions. LOL
https://www.aico.co.uk/product/ei30...o.co.uk/wp-includes/images/media/document.png
Last edited:
Aico instructions;
“The mains and battery power is automatically connected as the Alarm slides onto the mounting plate. Each Alarm comes with built-in rechargeable backup batteries to power the Alarm in the event of a mains failure.”
Pretty obvious to most competent electricians it needs mains supply to recharge the battery, maybe not to DIYers?
“The mains and battery power is automatically connected as the Alarm slides onto the mounting plate. Each Alarm comes with built-in rechargeable backup batteries to power the Alarm in the event of a mains failure.”
Pretty obvious to most competent electricians it needs mains supply to recharge the battery, maybe not to DIYers?
If would seen not to even competent electricians reading some of the previous post on Aico alarms.
Are you top or front loading dryer? LOL
Where I think any confusion could come in is the battery only units are described as 10 year Life Lithium battery units.
Where I think any confusion could come in is the battery only units are described as 10 year Life Lithium battery units.
- Battery powered with a sealed in lithium battery
- Easy to fit – twist on base and multi-fixings
- 10 year life
- Standalone unit
- Mains powered with 10 year rechargeable lithium cell back-up
Standalone units also suggests no interlink....
Aico do a wide range of detectors, but I only see 4 that are wholly 10 year battery (no mains)
Carbon monoxide standalone
Carbon monoxide with radiolink
Heat alarm with radiolink
Optical smoke with radiolink
All the rest have mains connection, with either a PP3 or rechargeable battery as back up, and can use a wired interlink.
You can add a radiolink module or base to a mains detector to allow it to communicate with one of the sealed lithium units with radiolink
Aico do a wide range of detectors, but I only see 4 that are wholly 10 year battery (no mains)
Carbon monoxide standalone
Carbon monoxide with radiolink
Heat alarm with radiolink
Optical smoke with radiolink
All the rest have mains connection, with either a PP3 or rechargeable battery as back up, and can use a wired interlink.
You can add a radiolink module or base to a mains detector to allow it to communicate with one of the sealed lithium units with radiolink
I installed I think it was 7 of the Fire Angels at our house in Fife when we started to Air BnB and then into full-time rental. No complaints and two years on they all work fine still. Couldn't use a wired system due to the nature of the building and it being Grade 2 listed but the Scottish B&B/Rental regs changed around the same time so a radio solution was permitted.
As always, correct selection is the key.
as for installation, many DIY folks can install the battery ones, but some will baulk at the extra cost of the radio modules to link them. However, the saving in time/labour/decoration etc still makes them a good choice in many homes.
as for installation, many DIY folks can install the battery ones, but some will baulk at the extra cost of the radio modules to link them. However, the saving in time/labour/decoration etc still makes them a good choice in many homes.
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