Smoke Alarm?

[billy-w]

Hi sorry if this is a stupid question,can someone just verify if it's ok to cut into a lighting circuit (live between 2 lights) to take the feed for a smoke alarm and be compliant?

 

[Digster]

Hi sorry if this is a stupid question,can someone just verify if it's ok to cut into a lighting circuit (live between 2 lights) to take the feed for a smoke alarm and be compliant?

We use this method quite often and is ok to do if you are only fitting one alarm. If you are fitting more you must either run 3 core t&e ore use radio bases. Don't forget to list the alarm and its location on the dis board under the relevant MCB.
Extra note for you: Radio bases are expensive to buy but in most cases the saving in labour cost,and damage to a finished property far outways this. I use them alot.
Hope i'm not teaching you to suck eggs with the rest.

 

[billy-w]

Cheers Digster,live will go to heat alarm cut into d/s lighting and then 3 core and earth will go to 2 smoke alarms,Sound ok?

 

[Digster]

Yep, perfect. Good luck.

 

[jase]

isnt it better to have smokes on their own supply? if lights trip then smokes arent mains powered? although i spose this is why they have battery back up

 

[Tester Steve]

Yep, they can go on their own circuit, but the idea of using a lighting circuit is that (hopefully!!!) if the lights trip, the smokes will get back on as well.


Steve.

 

[billy-w]

I can't help thinking, although more wire,it seems to me anyway,a lot neater to have smokes on there own circuit and join a lighting circuit at the MCB. That's why i'm wondering about joining between 2 lights is compliant,something just doesn't seem right with it.

 

[pushrod]

If you put smokes on their own circuit and there is a fault on it the customer might not realize it , at least by putting them on a lighting circuit if there is a fault they are immediately aware of it because their lights go out! So you could argue that in many ways it is safer to put them on a lighting circuit.

 

[jase]

is this just down to preference then and not regs

 

[Sav]

Hi,

I often use the grade D system for smoke alarms (supplied by regularly used lighting circuit) and its been ok so far.

If its a rewire and access is ok throughout, then you can put in an rcbo and have the smokes on their own supply (grade E system).

Main thing to remember is to make sure that they are interconnecting, either by wiring or by radiolink.

If there was a fault, then the green LED on the smoke alarms switches off and the red LED (battery back up ) comes on.

I normally use AICO alarms, as I find them user and installation friendly.

Best regards,
Sav

 

[Sintra]

Hi,

I often use the grade D system for smoke alarms (supplied by regularly used lighting circuit) and its been ok so far.

If its a rewire and access is ok throughout, then you can put in an rcbo and have the smokes on their own supply (grade E system).

Not being picky but your definitions of grade D and grade E systems are incorrect.

Grade E - a system of interlinked mains powered smoke and heat alarms with NO battery back up.

Grade D - a system of interlinked mains powered smoke and heat alarms with battery back up.

 

[Sav]

Sorry Sintra,
I should have made it more clear.
Its me, trying to show that I know something !!!!!!

Appologies again,
Sav

 

[Sintra]

No need to appologise mate, it's just me being picky.