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Fire & CO alarms


Putting domestic alarmson the spot


Kidde Safety reviews the latest guidance on where smoke, heat and CO alarms should be located in homes to maximise safety, potentially also increasing sales.


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moke and heat alarms are essential in minimising domestic fire fatalities and injuries, while CO alarms play an


important role in reducing instances of carbon monoxide poisoning in the home. Although alarms may be requirements of national Building Regulations or other mandatory rules, the most comprehensive guidance can be found in the Code of Practice BS 5839-6:2013 for smoke and heat alarms, and BS EN 50292:2013 for CO alarms. Both apply to any domestic properties – whether existing or new, rented or owner-occupied – and they also form the basis for the regulations themselves.


Mains smoke and heat alarms For fire alarm systems, BS 5839-6:2013 defines ‘Grades’ and ‘Categories’ of systems comprising smoke and heat alarms. Essentially, ‘Grade’


addresses the reliability of a system in terms of its power sources. Building Regulations and BS 5839-6:2013 are agreed in demanding Grade D mains, interconnected smoke and heat alarms with back-up power for all new-builds. The Code also recommends Grade D for most types of existing housing and all rented properties as well. Of course, Grade D mains systems should be professionally installed. ‘Category’ defines in which areas smoke/heat


alarms are required for detection. Typically, for new houses up to three storeys and most existing homes, the Code recommends Category LD2 – now considered the norm for the majority of domestic properties. This means smoke alarms in all escape routes and any areas where fires might start, such as living rooms, plus heat alarms in all kitchens. However, Building Regulations Approved


Document B for England and Wales falls short with only Category LD3 – alarms in escape routes and some kitchens – although Regulations elsewhere in the UK do require LD2. The Code stresses that with LD3, the evacuation time once fire is detected in the circulation area might be quite short and “might not prevent death or serious injury of occupants of the room where fire originates”. Clearly, it makes sense to encourage installers to opt for Category LD2 and more alarms.


Making the right choice BS 5839-6:2013 reviews various types of alarm and what they do best. 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


Category LD2 calls for smoke alarms in rooms where fires might start, such as living rooms.


equivalents, especially from steam. Nuisance alarms result in disabling and could lead to death or serious injury. 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. The Code recommends which types of alarm


are most suited to specific areas, based on these performance characteristics: lCirculation spaces (halls and landings): Optical smoke alarms


lKitchens and garages: Heat alarms lPrincipal living room: Ionisation smoke alarms


BS 5839-6:2013 recommends heat alarms in all kitchens, interconnected with smoke alarms.


22 | electrical wholesaler March 2017


Category LD3 might not prevent death or serious injury of occupants of the room where fire originates.


www.ewnews.co.uk


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