Smoke from rings..

[Just]

Hi, I prefer to see the smokes from a lighting circuit for obvious reasons or at least on their own circuit. I have just come across 3 smokes connected to their nearest sockets via FCU's all with trunking down the wall and over the ceiling... lovely. Is this odd looking installation acceptable or do I need to put this down as a departure from the regs as I can only find reference from separate circuit or lighting? Do I need to disconnect the smokes before IR tests on the ring?

 

[IQ Electrical]

I think it's a requirement of Approved Document B that the detectors are supplied by a dedicated circuit or a single regularly used lighting circuit.
I think there was also a requirement for isolation of the detectors without isolating the lighting circuit if that option was used.

No access to Document B right now so if someone could verify this?

 

[Electricalserv]

Be permanently wired with an independent circuit from DB

OR supplied from a local regularly used lighting circuit( there should be means of isolating the supply to alarms without affecting lighting)

Part B building regs

On-site guide page 65

 

[IQ Electrical]

Be permanently wired with an independent circuit from DB

OR supplied from a local regularly used lighting circuit( there should be means of isolating the supply to alarms without affecting lighting)

Part B building regs

On-site guide page 65

That's it verified then, thanks!

 

[Just]

Thanks does this mean I can still change the DB and note this as a departure? I have suggested that it may not comply and need to check but can see where she is coming from as all the trunking has been painted and she only paid for the work a few years ago so is reluctant to have more work to same done plus re-decoration. I was going to use this one for assessment so what do I need to do please to make the inspector a happy chap?! Good biscuits?!

 

[malcolmsanford]

When you change the DB on your EIC in the section comments on existing installation make a note, and you could supply a cover letter to advise of the building regs regarding this.

Chocolate hob nobs have always been an inspectores choice of empty calories.

 

[IQ Electrical]

When you change the DB on your EIC in the section comments on existing installation make a note, and you could supply a cover letter to advise of the building regs regarding this.

Chocolate hob nobs have always been an inspectores choice of empty calories.

As Malcolm stated, put your comment in the existing installation box.

The dapartures box is for departures on the work that you are installing.

 

[PC Electrics]

If you are changing the CU, then your concern for the existing installation is one of electrical safety. You are not concerned about whether every nuance of every building reg has been met throughout the house.
So I would suggest treating each FCU/smoke combo as a sub circuit. I & T them as you would any other circuit. If all is good then list their details on the schedule. You could comment that the smokes install does not meet the requirements of BS5389t6 by not being interconnected and being connected to a sockets circuit, but I think that should be the end of your involvement.

IIRC, AD-B gives guidance on the electrical supply to smokes and BS7671 has nothing to say on the subject.

And, yes, disconnect smokes before IRing the circuits.