Wireless Smoke & Heat Detectors

[gryphon]

With new legislation in Scotland coming in shortly i was wondering what's peoples preferred maker of 10 year lithium battery smoke and heat detectors.

 

[Mike Johnson]

It may just be me, but the Aico description could be miss-read:

• Mains powered with 10 year rechargeable lithium cell back-up

It certainly does not say the alarm must be mains powered and its not until you delve into the small print of the specification that it indicates they will run for four months without mains power.

Its a bit clearer in the Downloaded Data Sheet, but I'm a man I don't read instructions. LOL

https://www.aico.co.uk/product/ei30...o.co.uk/wp-includes/images/media/document.png

 

[DefyG]

Aico instructions;

“The mains and battery power is automatically connected as the Alarm slides onto the mounting plate. Each Alarm comes with built-in rechargeable backup batteries to power the Alarm in the event of a mains failure.”

Pretty obvious to most competent electricians it needs mains supply to recharge the battery, maybe not to DIYers?

 

[Mike Johnson]

Pretty obvious to most competent electricians it needs mains supply to recharge the battery, maybe not to DIYers?

If would seen not to even competent electricians reading some of the previous post on Aico alarms.

 

[Ziggie]

If would seen not to even competent electricians reading some of the previous post on Aico alarms.

I’m an idiot dryer and I think that this is obvious. They do make battery only units .

 

[Mike Johnson]

Are you top or front loading dryer? LOL

Where I think any confusion could come in is the battery only units are described as 10 year Life Lithium battery units.

• Battery powered with a sealed in lithium battery
• Easy to fit – twist on base and multi-fixings
• 10 year life
• Standalone unit

As I said above perhaps its just me, I tend to read what is on the page not assume what somebody may have meant.

• Mains powered with 10 year rechargeable lithium cell back-up

That statement to me reads that the rechargeable Lithium cell will last ten years as per their battery only units, it does not indicate to me that the unit must be mains powered and the Lithium battery has a duty cycle of ten years.

 

[DefyG]

I thought (see your post #29) it was about the 3000 series?

The 'stand alone' lithium powered are a totally different series!

 

[littlespark]

Standalone units also suggests no interlink....

Aico do a wide range of detectors, but I only see 4 that are wholly 10 year battery (no mains)

Carbon monoxide standalone
Carbon monoxide with radiolink
Heat alarm with radiolink
Optical smoke with radiolink

All the rest have mains connection, with either a PP3 or rechargeable battery as back up, and can use a wired interlink.

You can add a radiolink module or base to a mains detector to allow it to communicate with one of the sealed lithium units with radiolink

 

[Rockingit]

I installed I think it was 7 of the Fire Angels at our house in Fife when we started to Air BnB and then into full-time rental. No complaints and two years on they all work fine still. Couldn't use a wired system due to the nature of the building and it being Grade 2 listed but the Scottish B&B/Rental regs changed around the same time so a radio solution was permitted.

 

[pirate]

As always, correct selection is the key.
as for installation, many DIY folks can install the battery ones, but some will baulk at the extra cost of the radio modules to link them. However, the saving in time/labour/decoration etc still makes them a good choice in many homes.

 

[pirate]

Also, this:
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-54621068


So that's my pre-Cristmas earners bgrd!

 

[loz2754]

The legislation is trying to do away with the 9v replacable battery’s for just that... people taking the battery out...

I saw a fire angel pro display in Homebase that stated they were “used by 90% of fire brigades”
Yes.... cheap and cheerful. When the fire service would put one in when none existed before. The cheap ones they put in are now all illegal (in Scotland)
Actually....my local Homebase is in England.


Edit
I signed up for the aico expert installer course... it’s done online now.
possibly just going over the instructions regarding positioning, but maybe I get a badge???

I just recently did the online expert installer course. I'm now an Aico Expert Installer! Yay. Still waiting for the van sticker.

 

[DefyG]

Well done Loz, all the Aico questions can be directed to yourself now ?

 

[littlespark]

A van sticker? I just did the online course yesterday, no mention of a van sticker!!!

 

[Mike Johnson]

I know a couple of guys with rattle cans that would do it for you.

 

[Ziggie]

I’m always behind the curve. I have a 35 year old Ei smoke detector mains powered tested last week hardwired into my burglar alarm system.

When a test failed a couple of years ago, I installed a battery powered Nest smoke and CO alarm in the downstairs hall. This doesn’t talk to the EI alarm upstairs hall.

unfortunately Nest don’t do a Heat alarm

I wish I had installed EI as they do the complete range and if England follows Scotland’s lead, I could use lithium battery powered and wireless linked alarms through out.

The Scottish government says that the cost for alarms in the living room , two halls, and kitchen all interlinked would be £220 if diy and about the same + electricians time to do mains powered.

I think that the EI units needed would cost more than the £220 figure .