SAFETY ALARMS Alarm choice is more than smoke and mirrors
There is a huge variety of safety alarm systems on the market, so it’s important that merchants recommend the right ones to their customers.
decision. But recent years have seen an avalanche of smoke alarm features and functions. Keeping up to date and sifting between the genuinely useful and those that lean more towards a gimmick, is tricky and time consuming.
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Wireless Alarm Interconnection The modern consumer expects things to be wirelessly connected and smoe alarms are no different. Although such technology was introduced to domestic smoke alarms well over ten years ago, as Martyn Walley, national technical manager at Aico explains, wireless alarm interconnection remains one of the most valued smoke alarm features by contractors.
“It enables alarms and accessories to be interconnected using Radio Frequency (RF) signals rather than hard wiring,” he says. “Hard wired interconnection is time consuming, disruptive and costly in existing properties, whereas wireless interconnection is quick, easy and requires no redecorating.”
The RF technology has traditionally been housed in the alarm bases, but Walley says that the latest alarms in the market have moved this to the alarm itself as a plug in module. “The small module, sold separately, simply plugs in to the alarm quickly and easily by the Contractor, turning it immediately into an alarm with wireless interconnection. Aico’s RadioLINK+ compatible alarms now all come with a plug in RF module.”
Alarm Control Devices
The importance of alarm interconnection is recognised under Building Regulations and BS 5839-6:2013 (the British Standard for domestic Smoke Alarm installation),Walley adds. When one alarm goes off, all the other alarms on the system activate to provide an earlier warning and the best chance of escape. Wireless alarm interconnection has led to an increase in the number of devices in one system and therefore a need for a simple, convenient method of controlling them.
“Alarm controllers, such as the wall mounted Ei450, provide a cost effective method of doing this from a safe, accessible location. At the very least, the controller should allow the resident
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here was a time when a smoke alarm was a relatively simple thing, so deciding which stock you required was an equally simple
information on the number of devices on each system and their serial numbers, types of alarms, location of alarms and how long the alarm has been in operation.
Walley says that while data extraction’ might sound scary and complicated to many contractors, the right informaton can make all the difference, so it’s important that merchants recommend an alarm where data extraction is quick and easy to undertake.
“Merchants should look for alarms that enable data extraction to be performed on site, in real time, all without taking the alarm off the ceiling,” he says. “At Aico, we offer two methods of data extraction: AudioLINK for individual alarm data (via a free App) and RadioLINK+ for system data. “The data also needs to be simple to understand. AudioLINK, for example, converts the data into an easy to read, colour coded report.”
Interconnection
to test and silence alarms on the system and, ideally, also locate the trigger alarm, which is essential if CO Alarms are included in the system.” Merchants should look at
recommending an alarm controller to any customer buying a large number of alarms for a single property.
Data Extraction Technology Smoke and CO Alarms have the potential to provide useful information such as battery life, alarm sensor status, number of times tested and any alarm activations with details of when it occurred. In the case of CO Alarms (carbon monoxide), this could go further with information on detection levels of CO.
More recently, this data has extended to cover whole alarm systems, providing
Walley points out that it is now easier to connect Fire Alarm systems to other systems, the most common being tele- care/warden call systems (especially in sheltered housing); sprinkler systems (now a legal requirement in new build properties in Wales); and BS5839 Part for the communal areas of houses in multiple occupation).
“Relays are one option for achieving this, but there are products in the market that have been designed Aico Ei414 Fire/CO Alarm Interface.” These are small items to stock, but ones that have multiple uses, providing a wider sales opportunity for merchants and a wider choice of the right products for their customers.
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