Hard Wired Smoke Alarm - Certification

[claret73]

The searches I found from the forum didn't conclude what I am needing to know, so hopefully people will be able to assist me.

We have just finished a domestic extension. The customer has had a large utility room added to the side of the house, along with a new kitchen & updated living room. The lights & power are fed of a sub board, so new first & second fix for these areas. There is now a hallway off the utility leading to the living room. We were asked by the builder to install a smoke detector in this hallway. We fed it off the newly installed lighting circuit. Since finishing he's had the building inspector in & they asked for a certificate for this. We certificated on the Electrical side but do not know about certificating for 1 smoke alarm off the existing light circuit?

It is not interconnected to any others. They already have other interconnected detectors on 1dt & 2nd floors. The property is a 3 storey house, not rented, a family home.

So, question is have we not complied with 5839 Pt.6? I spoke to the firebrigade. Somebody whom trains & assesses commercial premises for fire risk assessments etc. He said it doesn't cover domestic & the Fire reform order 2005 does not stipulate installation requirements. We have complied with building regs. Although NICEIC Tech line said we did need to certify??

Any suggestions?
Thanks Guys
Andy

 

[brs73]

i have a man who commisions my fire alarm 's for me.he advises me what to do and then commisions afterwards.
where are you based?

 

[claret73]

We're based in Birmingham.
I've just had a nasty thought or rather observation...(after looking at Building Regs)

The alarm we put in on the ground level is not interlinked with the already installed detectors on the first & second floors (Think second floor is a loft conversion into bedrooms). I'd imagime this isn't right from a common sense point of view? Fire at ground floor does not trigger detectors above.

I'm the Sparks Mate still doing 2330 so until this came up I haven't read into too much detail about these requirements as yet. College skim over Fire installs due to 5839 Regs...
I'll take your response though of having somebody design & commission. I'm sure now after this he'll be interested in doing the same. Any chance of contact details if he's close to Midlands region?
Cheers
Andy

 

[electro]

Hi

The system you have installed does not comply with LD1, LD2 or even LD3, you must interlink with three cores to the other smokes. It will still not comply with LD2 but you could certificate it with LD3. A modern system should have a low-level control point, but I would concentrate more on interconnection and certificating to get it completed.

The smoke you have installed should have battery back-up and be compatible with the other smokes. You can get a certificate from one of the major suppliers, i.e. Aico and kiddie most likely of their websites.

Regards

 

[daver]

Change all your wired ones for wireless. Not the cheapest of options, but cheaper than trying to get your 3 core to the next point.

Smoke Alarms, Fire and CO detection and fire protection specialists Aico Ltd

Dave

 

[claret73]

The detector does have a battery backup...
Concerns now rest on interconnection!! Apart from spending the 200 quid on 5389 are there any more references to compliance with detector installs. I'll look at Aico site too.
Thanks for all responses Lads
Andy

 

[Spudnik]

i have just fitted the wireless system in a flat.

Normal smokes, then you buy the wireless base.

As long as you can get a feed to the second detector from a local lighting circuit it should be fine.

 

[daver]

The detector does have a battery backup...
Concerns now rest on interconnection!! Apart from spending the 200 quid on 5389 are there any more references to compliance with detector installs. I'll look at Aico site too.
Thanks for all responses Lads
Andy

http://www.------.org/publishing/wiring-regulations/mag/2005/17-firealarms.cfm?type=pdf

 

[claret73]

Thanks again Jason
Spent some time on Aico site & will call for product info. Printed off some stuff to read for myself at the moment. I think the Interconnection might not be too bad?? The detector we installed is on the ceiling below the 1st floor landing, so if we can get a 3 core up to there then up to next ceiling height it may the way to comply as Electro states to LD3...

Everything on that job was an afterthought by the building contractor. I know it doesn't take away our responsibility, but no information was passed by Architect, no specification to us by anybody just some hashed up copied plans on fixing points for accessories. (Smoke detector not highlighted until we'd finished first fix!)

What I am learning is there's a bloody lot of info to take in to ensure compliancy...so for me, even though this looks like it's a potential disaster (albeit will & can be put right at minimal expense) the info I'm reading up on helps me loads as College do not give you this amount of detail.

Therefore I'd like to Thank all the info given by yourself, The Moderators & all the other Guys...it's a learning curve & a half but on here I learn HEAPS!
Cheers
Andy

 

[daver]

No problem Andy, thats what we are here for. The link I gave you is direct to the IEE Pdf on Fire Safety.

I use the Aico's and the radiolink are superb. About £25 - £30 for a base though + the detector. Just remember to keep away from the ceiling rose 300mm minimum if you are picking up power from them.

Good Luck

Dave

 

[claret73]

Thanks Daver
Took a look at that also...
Seem to have the minimum info for now, so will follow up to AICO & Pass this on to the Boss...don't wish to ruin his weekend yet...
Cheers again