Wireless Smoke/Heat Detectors

[ahll]

I am looking into sourceing some smoke/heat detectors. I dont any experience in this area so looking for feedback. Is wired in better or are both just as good ? Any recommendations ?

 

[Octopus]

If its a new build they have to be mains interlinked.

Aico is your best bet

 

[MarkieSparkie]

The major players in the market are Aico, Kidde and BRK, see links below:
Smoke Alarms - Carbon Monoxide Alarms - Heat Alarms - BRK
Smoke Alarms, Carbon Monoxide Detectors, Fire Extinguishers by Kidde
Aico - Fire & CO Detection & Fire Protection Specialist | Aico | Smoke, Heat & CO Alarms and Fire Barriers

 

[MarkieSparkie]

The Optical Smoke Alarm.
This type of smoke alarm uses light technology to detect smoke. Inside of these alarms, there is a small light emitting diode or LED. This little light shines a thin beam of infra-red light to a sensor. If any small particles of smoke interrupt this infra-red light the voltage read by the sensor will drop and the alarm will sound. This type of smoke alarm is best where the threat of smoldering, where thicker smoke is present.
The Ionisation Smoke Alarm.
This type of smoke alarm employees a completely different technology to detect smoke particles in the air. This type of smoke detector has about one milligram of radioactive metal (usually Americium) in it, that has been scientifically proven safe for humans. The sensor part of the smoke alarm is called an ionisation chamber. Inside of this chamber there are a small amount of electrodes with a current running through them.
If a small particle of smoke enters the chamber it ionises the radioactive element in the alarm and the current flowing between the electrodes is interrupted. This causes the alarm to sound. This type of detector is good at detecting smoke when the fire is more flaming than smoke producing because it can detect such small particles.
Which Is Better?
Ionisation smoke detectors can detect smoke quicker than optical smoke alarms due to the difference in technology. However, the ion type of smoke detectors are extremely sensitive and can cause more false alarms than there optical counterparts.
Many manufacturers are starting to discontinue production of ionisation smoke detectors because of advances in optical smoke detection technology. Those that continue to produce both ion and optical smoke alarms usually house them in the same outer casing.
The only real way to determine which type of detector you are buying is to read the packaging that comes with your smoke detector. Ion detectors are more sensitive and expensive, while optical smoke detectors are cheaper but less sensitive.
In order to get the best of both worlds you should employ a mix of both types of detector in your home.
In practice.
Optical smoke alarms are the best choice for rooms on the same floor as the kitchen, also for circulation spaces e.g. hallway and landing, because they less effected by low levels of 'invisible' particles contained in kitchen fumes, that cause false alarms.
Ionisation smoke detectors are the best choice for bedrooms where the speed of detection is paramount.
Heat detectors or alarms are the best choice for kitchens, garages and any room containing an open fire due to the level of smoke or fumes that would otherwise readily cause false alarms.

 

[Top Cat]

The Optical Smoke Alarm.
This type of smoke alarm uses light technology to detect smoke. Inside of these alarms, there is a small light emitting diode or LED. This little light shines a thin beam of infra-red light to a sensor. If any small particles of smoke interrupt this infra-red light the voltage read by the sensor will drop and the alarm will sound. This type of smoke alarm is best where the threat of smoldering, where thicker smoke is present.
The Ionisation Smoke Alarm.
This type of smoke alarm employees a completely different technology to detect smoke particles in the air. This type of smoke detector has about one milligram of radioactive metal (usually Americium) in it, that has been scientifically proven safe for humans. The sensor part of the smoke alarm is called an ionisation chamber. Inside of this chamber there are a small amount of electrodes with a current running through them.
If a small particle of smoke enters the chamber it ionises the radioactive element in the alarm and the current flowing between the electrodes is interrupted. This causes the alarm to sound. This type of detector is good at detecting smoke when the fire is more flaming than smoke producing because it can detect such small particles.
Which Is Better?
Ionisation smoke detectors can detect smoke quicker than optical smoke alarms due to the difference in technology. However, the ion type of smoke detectors are extremely sensitive and can cause more false alarms than there optical counterparts.
Many manufacturers are starting to discontinue production of ionisation smoke detectors because of advances in optical smoke detection technology. Those that continue to produce both ion and optical smoke alarms usually house them in the same outer casing.
The only real way to determine which type of detector you are buying is to read the packaging that comes with your smoke detector. Ion detectors are more sensitive and expensive, while optical smoke detectors are cheaper but less sensitive.
In order to get the best of both worlds you should employ a mix of both types of detector in your home.
In practice.
Optical smoke alarms are the best choice for rooms on the same floor as the kitchen, also for circulation spaces e.g. hallway and landing, because they less effected by low levels of 'invisible' particles contained in kitchen fumes, that cause false alarms.
Ionisation smoke detectors are the best choice for bedrooms where the speed of detection is paramount.
Heat detectors or alarms are the best choice for kitchens, garages and any room containing an open fire due to the level of smoke or fumes that would otherwise readily cause false alarms.

Brilliant bit of info Markie but you didn't answer the OP's question!

 

[Octopus]

Brilliant bit of info Markie but you didn't answer the OP's question!

I think that was deliberate, as was my post. Can't give away everything we know for nothing can we? How do we expect sparkies to research and learn themselves?

 

[ahll]

If its a new build they have to be mains interlinked.

Aico is your best bet

No it is not for a new build it is for a 2 storey 70s 3 bed terrace. As I understand it, it is best to put them

Lounge - Heat
Kitchen - Heat
Landing - Smoke
Hall - Smoke

And for them to have battery back up ?

I will take a look at Aico thanks

 

[Amp David]

Get yourself on Aicos website, they tell you exactly what is needed.

If the property is fully decorated, then your best bet is using the wireless bases as this saves you having to run the cable through the house to interlink the alarms.

Thing also to remember with the wireless bases is that they contain a battery and with Aico alarms, manufacturer reckons on replacing the bases after 10 years.

 

[Darkwood]

The Optical Smoke Alarm.

The Ionisation Smoke Alarm.
This type of smoke alarm employees a completely different technology to detect smoke particles in the air. This type of smoke detector has about one milligram of radioactive metal (usually Americium) in it, that has been scientifically proven safe for humans. The sensor part of the smoke alarm is called an ionisation chamber. Inside of this chamber there are a small amount of electrodes with a current running through them.
If a small particle of smoke enters the chamber it ionises the radioactive element in the alarm and the current flowing between the electrodes is interrupted. This causes the alarm to sound. This type of detector is good at detecting smoke when the fire is more flaming than smoke producing because it can detect such small particles.

Nice informative post but you just got a bit muddled up with re' to ionisation and how it works, in general you are correct that they use a small radioactive source although its is the alpha particles it emits that create an ionised path which allows a small current to flow between the gap of 2 electrodes, if the foreign particles of smoke pass through this ionised stream it deflects or absorbs the Alpha radiation and the ionised path is reduced or lost thus the curret flow is reduce or lost respectively, its not as you mentioned the smoke that ionises the radiative element.

Im been a bit picky admittedly but next time you need to explain it you will be spot on with your explanation.

 

[Des 56]

I am unable to contribute much,if anything at all in the technical department (just as well, because, that has been well covered previously) :sailor:
however,

I am led to believe that choosing the best type of smoke alarm for the location (optical or ionisation or a mixture)is also wise

Apparently,Optical are starting to become the best type with improving technology, but a mixture of both is the ideal

When I fitted them for a council.they wanted Optical upstairs and ionisation down,maybe there is good cause for that choice,I dont know

 

[ahll]

Get yourself on Aicos website, they tell you exactly what is needed.


If the property is fully decorated, then your best bet is using the wireless bases as this saves you having to run the cable through the house to interlink the alarms.

Thing also to remember with the wireless bases is that they contain a battery and with Aico alarms, manufacturer reckons on replacing the bases after 10 years.

Yes the website seems really informative thanks. The house is having some work so I believe I could get under the floors and acess through the attic relatively easily to good locations.