Smoke alarms

[classic33]

I thought all smoke detectors worked off mains now with presumably a back up for power failures. At least that is what I was told after getting some work done. Mebbe England is different.

Sealed battery seems to be the most popular. 10 year lifespan before they need replacing, for Fire Angel alarms at least.

 

[Mo1959]

Haven’t had one for several years, but the thread has prompted me to order one. Bit silly not to for all they cost.

 

[aferris2]

I thought all smoke detectors worked off mains now with presumably a back up for power failures. At least that is what I was told after getting some work done. Mebbe England is different.

I think they have to be mains powered for rented accommodation but we had one that started to give the "low battery" beep even though it was still being powered through the mains. Just ended up buying direct replacements which solved the problem.

Sealed battery seems to be the most popular. 10 year lifespan before they need replacing, for Fire Angel alarms at least.

...but who can remember when the 10 years are up. Our CO detectors are sealed battery with no indication of how long they last. I know we got them in 2015 so they might be working, or they might not. Both make a sound when the button is pressed, but I've no idea if they can actually detect CO (or have ever done so for that matter)

 

[classic33]

I think they have to be mains powered for rented accommodation but we had one that started to give the "low battery" beep even though it was still being powered through the mains. Just ended up buying direct replacements which solved the problem.


...but who can remember when the 10 years are up. Our CO detectors are sealed battery with no indication of how long they last. I know we got them in 2015 so they might be working, or they might not. Both make a sound when the button is pressed, but I've no idea if they can actually detect CO (or have ever done so for that matter)

There's a handy sticker on the back of the alarm, Fire Angel at least, telling you when it requires changing. Main body twists into the mounting plate.

Largest private landlord round here uses them. No mains supply.

 

[aferris2]

No stickers on ours. Would be a good idea though.
Not tested our alarms yet but they came with the house so have probably been there for many many years. As we are about to rent it out, might be a good idea to change the whole lot.

 

[classic33]

No stickers on ours. Would be a good idea though.
Not tested our alarms yet but they came with the house so have probably been there for many many years. As we are about to rent it out, might be a good idea to change the whole lot.

Check your local B&Q, often £5 each.

 

[DaveReading]

There's a handy sticker on the back of the alarm, Fire Angel at least

We were given two Fire Angels in a campaign by the local RFFS. Both gave up the ghost well before the date on the sticker.

To be fair, they were replaced promptly by the manufacturer when we contacted them.

 

[oldwheels]

I was aware of the regulations re smoke and CO alarms in rented property since we are trying to renovate a tenement property in Aberdeen but I own my own home and the person doing the work in my house had a contract to fit alarms in houses with oaps at Scottish government expense.

 

[NorthernDave]

Free smoke alarms are available by ringing Trumpton and they'll send some people round in a fire engine to fit one.

If you've got a chip pan they'll also swap that for a free deep fat fryer.

 

[pjd57]

Free smoke alarms are available by ringing Trumpton and they'll send some people found in a fire engine to fit one.

If you've got a chip pan they'll also swap that for a free deep fat fryer.

I spent a lot of time during my last few years in the fire brigade fitting smoke detectors.
Like many I was a bit sceptical at first about going out on home visits while still being available for turn outs.

But it didn't take long to realise that it worked , and that it made a difference.

 

[classic33]

I spent a lot of time during my last few years in the fire brigade fitting smoke detectors.
Like many I was a bit sceptical at first about going out on home visits while still being available for turn outs.

But it didn't take long to realise that it worked , and that it made a difference.

Used to be a fire safety officer, locally, in an Escort sized van. Now it's an appliance, on call, fully manned.

 

[Brains]

I have tenants.
It never ceases to utterly amaze me that smoke and carbon monoxide alarms regularly had the batteries removed "as we needed a battery in the TV remote"

A couple of years ago I stopped buying ones with replacement batteries and now only buy the ones that last 5 years or so with an internal battery.
The internal battery ones cost more, but at least they cant be easily disabled.
(Unless unscrewed from the ceiling or have the sensors covered in gaffa tape, both of which we have had in the last couple of years)

I don't know about you lot, but we set off our kitchen fire alarm about once a year by accident, it would appear it's a weekly event for many people.

 

[NorthernDave]

I don't know about you lot, but we set off our kitchen fire alarm about once a year by accident, it would appear it's a weekly event for many people.

Oh yes - there is someone in our street who seems to use their smoke detector as a handy alternative to the timer on their oven...

 

[fossyant]

My cooking tests them

This. Usually toast. Both fire alarms are 'mains'. No co2 detector though. Both smoke and co2 at the caravan though.

 

[fossyant]

I thought all smoke detectors worked off mains now with presumably a back up for power failures. At least that is what I was told after getting some work done. Mebbe England is different.

Only new houses...