alarms

[fire]

wanted to install 2 mains smoke alarm (1 upstairs and 1 down stairs) and a mains heat detector in the kitchen.

all circuits are on rcbo so wanted to tap into the lighting circuit and just install it next to the ceiling rose saves me taking our floorboards or do chasing.

is that a good idea?

 

[DurhamSparky]

its not the best way as can look shoddy but if done correctly then fine!

 

[topquark]

Needs to be separately isolatable from the lighting circuit.

 

[DurhamSparky]

Needs to be separately isolatable from the lighting circuit.

why???

 

[topquark]

Onsite guide page 65, wiring of smoke and heat alarms paragraph b ..... or supplied from a local, regularly used lighting circuit (there should be a means of isolating the supply to the alarms without affecting the lighting

I'd guess so that they can be serviced in the dark

 

[DurhamSparky]

oh well stand corrected...! service an Alarm .... hmmmm test button/hush button

for the sake of retro fitting in to a preexisting house i would bang them in as per the ops suggestion...! on a new install yes seperate circuit

rather have smokes than no smokes!

 

[topquark]

oh well stand corrected...! service an Alarm .... hmmmm test button/hush button

for the sake of retro fitting in to a preexisting house i would bang them in as per the ops suggestion...! on a new install yes seperate circuit

rather have smokes than no smokes!

Hehe, more likely where one has failed in the chain and needs replacing ... most these days have detachable bases that are interchangeable though, so that may be sufficient isolation.

 

[spark 68]

Hi TQ,

there should be a means of isolating the supply to the alarms without affecting the lighting

Is this not taken care of by un-clipping from the base (on the types I normally fit) ?

Because I usually install them similar to the OP (on existing), agreed on a new install, to fit the 'keyed' type isolator.

Ps. I Posted too slow TQ, you have already answered, thanks

 

[topquark]

IMHO for the alarms yes, but it's really the circuit that's being isolated not just the device.

 

[ezzzekiel]

With the exception of full rewires or newbuilds then doing as you suggest is standard practice

 

[Richard Burns]

When you say fitted next to the ceiling rose you should note that smoke alarms should not be fitted within 300mm of light fittings or walls.

 

[oxocube]

And they should be interlinked, so that one sounds they all sound.

 

[ezzzekiel]

Aico do decent Wireless range

 

[fire]

the smoke alarm and heat detector i have has three wires, two of them are live and netral what happens to the 3rd one (white wire)?

 

[Richard Burns]

That is the interconnect wire to join two detectors together so that they both sound if one is triggered. Joins from detector to detector.