Fire & Safety Multiple choice
Kidde Safety discusses how electrical wholesalers can advise their customers on today’s complex selection criteria for domestic smoke, heat and CO alarms.
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S 5839-6:2013 reviews various types of alarms and which is best to alert occupants of fire, while avoiding
nuisance alarms that could result in disabling the alarm. Ionisation smoke alarms are sensitive to small
smoke particles from rapidly burning, flaming fires but less so for smouldering fires and smoke that has travelled some distance. Optical smoke alarms are sensitive to larger
particles from smouldering fires and less prone to nuisance alarms than their ionisation equivalents, especially from steam. Heat alarms respond more slowly to fires than
smoke alarms but are less likely to give nuisance alarms and require less maintenance: they must always be interlinked with smoke alarms. BS 5839-6:2013 therefore recommends optical smoke alarms for Circulation Spaces (Halls and Landings) and Bedrooms; heat alarms for Kitchens and Garages; and ionisation alarms for Living Rooms.
Wireless interconnection Professionally installed, hard-wired, interconnected smoke and heat alarms are Building Regulation requirements for new- builds, extensions and some alterations. But they are equally applicable to most existing properties as well. Interconnection simply
Kidde’s fast-fit Slick range includes a wireless alarm base accessory to interconnect alarms.
enables all the alarms to sound when one is triggered by a fire. But there may be both practical and visual implications for avoiding disruptive interconnect cabling between alarms. Here, wireless interconnection is an ideal solution, for example using Kidde’s Slick Wireless Alarm Base accessory. This simply replaces the standard base plate and is used to interconnect Slick smoke or heat alarms, with each alarm separately powered from a lighting circuit nearby. It can also be used with Kidde’s Remote Test & Hush switch to communicate with a Slick alarm that might otherwise be difficult to access. This is particularly useful for older or disabled
residents, or properties with particularly high ceilings. Alternatively, a wired remote test and hush unit is available and this can also be used with Kidde’s Firex range.
Simplified installation is also a consideration
to keep costs down and manufacturers now offer systems designed with this in mind. For example, Kidde’s Slick fast-fit system utilises a separate base plate that can be installed and its integral terminal block wired at first fix. Then, near completion, the alarm simply slides onto the base plate hinge flap and locks into place by default. This feature also makes maintenance or replacement simpler.
Kidde’s Remote Test & Hush switch communicates with a Slick alarm that might otherwise be difficult to access.
Energy saving The market’s growing interest in energy saving products and lower running costs for homeowners and tenants is focusing on safety products too. In response, the latest generation of Firex optical and ionisation smoke alarms, and heat alarms, manufactured and supplied exclusively by Kidde, now offers a much lower mains consumption than previously. Firex alarms cost less than £1 per year to run – a major benefit for tenants.
Wireless
interconnection is an ideal solution for avoiding disruptive interconnect cabling between alarms.
26 | electrical wholesaler August 2017
www.ewnews.co.uk
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