Where are smoke alarms REQUIRED

[ProDave]

5 hours ago, saveasteading said:

As we have several months before having to start  the fire /gas alarm installation I am keeping my eye on the  wireless market. Had a targeted ad on facebook with lots of kits from £150 to £300, which looked very promising. 'No wiring' has to be a big cost and time advantage.

Madness.  Wireless ones are generally £50 more than a fixed hard wired alarm.  The bit of cable to connect them is WAY less than £50 and easy to fit in a new build (which is what yours is in effect)

 

The only place for wireless is a retro fit where the amount of disruption to the building to hard wire it is too much.

 

[saveasteading]

23 minutes ago, ProDave said:

Madness.  Wireless ones are generally £50 more than a fixed hard wired alarm.

 

But won't these prices plummet and/or quality improve as the market gets more competitive?

There is a lot of business in this.

If diy proves easy then there will  likely also be objections/ scare stories from the established market.

 

This for example? No wires and will be as easy to fit as standalone smoke alarm units.

£160 the lot , so average £32 each. expandable to 15 units.

It would appear that a 'lifetime battery' applies to the life of the battery! 

 

Radio-Interlink Sealed Battery 3 Smoke, 1 Heat Alarm and CO Alarm Kit - Firehawk W Series

• Detector Battery: 10 year sealed lithium battery
• Wireless Base Battery: 7 year sealed lithium
• Warranty: 7 year manufacturer's warranty
• Easy expansion – Interlink up to 15 alarms
• Suitable for the 2022 Scottish legislation

Do smoke alarms need to be hardwired in Scotland?

No, there are alternatives to hardwired smoke alarms that comply with the new regulations. To comply with the new Scottish law from February 2022, all smoke alarms in Scotland should be either hardwired to a circuit (mains-powered) with a back-up battery or powered by a lifetime tamper-proof battery.

 

[ProDave]

The new Scottish law that comes into effect next year are NOT building regulations.  It is something dreamed up at Holyrood and apples to all houses, so most will be retro fit.

 

Building regulations still apply to new builds and they are different, as are the smoke alarm requirements for rental properties.

[saveasteading]

20 hours ago, ProDave said:

The new Scottish law that comes into effect next year are NOT building regulations.

Thanks. Had not thought about that.

We have a response from our warrant application, and the requirement is for an LD2 system.

 

The one supplier I have asked about wireless has not come back to my query about satisfying the reg's yet. Maybe they can't?

Will keep you informed.

[saveasteading]

In my experience of education and commercial installations, ie not housing, fire alarm systems are very expensive.

Maybe it is much less for domestic and my concerns are unnecessary.

I liked the idea of £40 a room, installed and working. Do you have any guidance?

As you say, it is like new-build so wire fixing is easy.

[Mr Punter]

The domestic alarms for new build are normally mains heat and / or smoke detectors with integral sounders and battery backup, interlinked so that they will all activate.  They are installed by the sparky.

 

Battery only alarms are not acceptable for new build.

 

Commercial alarms have a central control panel where the building can be split into zones.  The sensors and sounders are often separate.  They may have break glass type call points.  They normally need an annual service and installation from a fire alarm specialist.

[ProDave]

The requirements when I built mine (check they have not changed) was smoke alarms in hall, landing (within 3 metres of each bedroom,. may need to id a large landing) living room, and heat alarm in kitchen.  So 4 alarms for a typical property.

 

I chose to add additional ones not actually required, another smoke alarm in the utility room (I would rather know the tumble dryer was smouldering long before the smoke started coming under the door, shut to keep the noise in) and plant room (again it is remote I want an early indication of something hot and bothered)

 

You will also need CO alarms for a room with a combustion appliance and a room with a flue passing through it.

 

If cost is your worry, how does £16.44 sound for an Aico mains smoke alarm?  https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/174151783726

I but lots from that seller, always quick delivery and they a re genuine new, up to date units.

 

Heat alarms I usually find about £30 and CO usually about £40

[JohnMo]

Certainly in Scotland there is no requirement for main powered alarms, but have to be sealed not replaceable battery with 10 year life.  Radio linked.  CO doesn't need radio link to heat or smoke alarms.

[saveasteading]

Great news on simplicity and cost. Yes I am used to central  panels, break glass, etc, even in tiny units where the fire would be immediately obvious by sight, smell or sound.

 

Just got some thorough responses for an Ei wireless system.

It would need the upgraded units that are connected to the mains, so the price has become average £75 each to buy instead of £35, and needs mains connection.

Saves on interlinking wire and would be very easy to adapt if necessary. But if we have £60 change for wiring then that seems to be the way.

To complete my report. CO2  detector also about £75 and CO (not linked ) is £16 but is only an alarm, and does not keep a record, as i think is required.

 

I will relax and assume all wired for now.

Thanks.

[ProDave]

2 minutes ago, saveasteading said:

t would need the upgraded units that are connected to the mains, so the price has become average £75 each to buy instead of £35, and needs mains connection.

Saves on interlinking wire and would be very easy to adapt if necessary

I don't understand your logic?  What's wrong with the £16.44 alarms I linked to and no more than £10 of cable to connect each alarm to the next one?

[saveasteading]

3 minutes ago, ProDave said:

I don't understand your logic? 

sorry if not clear: I am agreeing with you. The radio units have to be mains connected so there is no saving on that  , and they are much more expensive than your £16 so the interlink wiring is not a cost concern.