effectively means smoke alarms in escape routes such as corridors and landings only, and a heat alarm just in any kitchen open to escape routes. But, as the Code stresses, with Category LD3
the evacuation time once fire is detected in the escape route might be quite short and “might not prevent death or serious injury of occupants of the room where fire originates”. Self-builders should therefore think seriously about installing more alarms than demanded by Part B to ensure the safety of their families or tenants. Building Regulations and the Code are agreed in demanding Grade D hard-wired, intercon- nected smoke and heat alarms with back-up power for new homes and many existing types. Hard-wired smoke and heat alarms should
always be interconnected so that all the alarms sound when one is triggered. But there are both practical and aesthetic reasons to avoid interconnect cabling in existing buildings. Here, wireless interconnection is an ideal solution, with each alarm simply powered from a lighting circuit nearby. Some wireless alarms also offer additional facilities using extra access- ories, for example a remote switch to control an alarm that might otherwise be difficult to access. This is particularly useful for elderly or disabled people, or where alarms are fitted on higher ceilings.
Curbing carbon monoxide poisoning
There is also a strong case to fit carbon monoxide (CO) alarms in all homes. The main difficulty with CO is that the dangers are often far from obvious and it comes from a surprisingly wide variety of sources, causing headaches, nausea, unconsciousness – and finally death. We simply cannot predict all the possible causes of CO in a home, but CO alarms that provide an audible warning at exposure levels well below those critical to healthy adults can alert occupants – whether awake or asleep – and save lives.
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passing through should also have an alarm. Building Regulations throughout the UK all
require CO alarms to varying degrees but only with installation of new or replacement combus- tion appliances (whether in new-build or existing homes) – and that excludes those used for cook- ing. In particular, BS EN 50292’s more rigorous approach contrasts starkly with Building Regulations Part J applying to England and Wales. This only demands a CO alarm with installation of certain, solid fuel heating appli- ances, whether as replacements or in new- builds. The continuing toll of deaths and illness resulting from carbon monoxide incidents asso- ciated with other fuels and types of combustion appliances – including cookers – has to further highlight the need for CO alarms in all homes.
Self-builders should think seriously about installing more alarms than demanded by Building Regulations Part B to ensure the safety of their families or tenants
Mains or battery CO alarms? ] The latest guidance on CO alarms is pro-
vided by BS EN 50292:2013. It recommends that, ideally, a CO alarm should be installed in every room containing a fuel-burning appliance and also in other well-used rooms remote from the appliance, as well as all bedrooms. In addi- tion, rooms with extended or concealed flues
All Regulations and BS EN 50292:2013 are unanimous in allowing either mains or battery- only CO alarms. Battery-powered alarms should incorporate a battery designed to operate for the working life of the detector. With this in mind, the latest long-life carbon monoxide alarms, enjoying a full 10-year guarantee cov- ering both the alarm and sealed-in lithium bat- tery, provide long-term protection. Alternatively, mains powered hard-wired (but not plug-in) alarms, fitted with a sensor failure warning device, can be used. Some hard-wired CO alarms can not only be interlinked with each other but also matching hard-wired smoke and heat alarms, effectively forming a complete system. Here, it is essential that products have different, distinct alarm sounder patterns for carbon monoxide and fire. This arrangement can automatically alert occu- pants throughout the property of the specific hazard that confronts them, without the need for any further operation of the system (such as remote switches). This allows occupants to respond quickly, making the right choice from the very different potential safe actions for either fire or carbon monoxide.
Enq. 158 selfbuilder & homemaker
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