Mains Smoke Alarm

[dexy]

Hi All,

After some information, I have a friend who is a landlord, they recently had a battery powered smoke alarm installed in the flat with the local fire brigade,however fire brigade found out it was rented accomodation and have written to local council to say a mains smoke alarm is required to be installed.
My questions are,

I am an Approved spark so can i install a mains smokie by tapping into the lighting circuit at the DB? and would a minor works certificate be required for the installation? can i do it myself or because if it needs certified and the council are aware would my friend have to get an electrical contractor to do it?

Any help appreciated

Cheers

Dexy

 

[Jay Sparks]

Hi dexy,

If you are running the smokes from an exsiting lighting circuit, you will also need to run it through an fcu, so they can be isolated without turning off the lights aswell. As for notifying, as long as there not installed in a kitchen or bathroom (which they shouldnt be), then they shouldnt need notifying (I could be wrong on this), but you will need a MWC and a smoke certificate.

Jay

 

[Hiddo]

I don't connect through an FCU, nor do I provide a smoke certificate. If its 2 story, you will need coverage downstairs and up on the landing and they need to be linked. Link either by 3core&e or radio link. Then provide a MWC.

 

[baldelectrician]

Glad to hear the fire brigade are on the ball

You need a MWC- if its adding to an esxiting circuit or an EIC if it's a new circuit (checking the bonding status etc)

The preference now is a reguarly used lighting circuit so the tenants can't switch a MCB off or pull a fuse to isolate the smoke detector alone

You will need to give a BS 5839 Pt 6 certificate as well

No notifying stuff required as no part P in Scotland

 

[Guitarist]

As Jay says, if connecting to a lighting circuit then you "should" provide isolation. Easiest way is through a SFCU.

 

[Jay Sparks]

I don't connect through an FCU, nor do I provide a smoke certificate. If its 2 story, you will need coverage downstairs and up on the landing and they need to be linked. Link either by 3core&e or radio link. Then provide a MWC.

I also dont connect via a fcu but thats what it says in the bgb. I try and fit them on there own circuit either on the none rcd side of a board, or via an rcbo. But I do give the client a smokes cert, looks more professional and in this case, the council may want to see one. The last house I put some in, had just had there loft converted and the labc told them to either fit a fire door, or fit a smoke in the loft and every bedroom and on the landing up and down, 6 in total. Overkill IMO but the customer said fit them and when the labc have been and ok'd it all, he would remove all the ones in the bedroom and just have the attick and landing ones.

I mean are the labc expecting the type of fires as in "Backdraft" lol


Jay

 

[Jay Sparks]

No notifying stuff required as no part P in Scotland[/QUOTE]


Ha ha ha, nice one, I didnt notice were he was from!!! Cheers for that!


Jay

 

[dexy]

Cheers Guys, Information gratefully appreciated. Can now let my friend know the bad news!!

 

[yellowvanman]

I also dont connect via a fcu but thats what it says in the bgb.

Can you quote the reg? Not aware of that.

 

[Jay Sparks]

Can you quote the reg? Not aware of that.

Not word for word, but its some thing like, "If you run them from a lighting cicuit you should provide a means of isolation that wont disrupt the lighting circuit"

Jay

 

[Guitarist]

Part B of building regs. Page 123 of Electrician's guide to building regs

 

[kingeri]

I think it's safer to have the smoke detectors on a lighting circuit and NOT to have isolation. I normally fit either an FCU or DP switch, but question the logic.....the last repeat punter I went out to had turned his smokes off inadvertently and had no way to realise what he had done. Not good....

 

[DaveyD]

No extra isolation needed. But don't just take a chance on me - I called AICO about this before. They state that all their alarms CAN be isolated without turning off the lighting circuit they are (or could) be connected to as the act of sliding them off the bases is isolation enough. They were born that way - They state they designed them to isolate this way to satisfy building regs.
Regards, Dave

 

[Jay Sparks]

Part B of building regs. Page 123 of Electrician's guide to building regs

Thanks Guitarist, I knew I had seen something somewere.
Appolgise yellowvanman, it was not in the bgb but I knew Id seen it somewere.


Jay

 

[Guitarist]

I think it's safer to have the smoke detectors on a lighting circuit and NOT to have isolation. I normally fit either an FCU or DP switch, but question the logic.....the last repeat punter I went out to had turned his smokes off inadvertently and had no way to realise what he had done. Not good....

A nice printed label on the switch is a must saying "DO NOT SWITCH OFF", with whatever description you want to give the circuit.
Personally, I give them their own circuit, but that doesn't help the OP.