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Cheaper alarms may not be also create a cheerful situation – recommending the Aico Fire Alarms
Posted by sparksdirect in all-time best-seller, ask Mr Sparks, customer service, fire alarms, guest expert, new technologies, technical data on July 22, 2010
Many of you are likely to be aware of the issue that made national news earlier this year regarding the domestic ten year smoke alarms beeping as if they were low on battery power, despite being just a few years old. The smoke alarms were fitted as part of free home fire safety visits by the Fire and Rescue services in properties across many areas of the UK. Thousands of people have now complained about problems with these alarms. This doesn’t make for good reading and it certainly doesn’t show the fire safety industry in a good light. But the real problem here isn’t one of public relations for the fire industry. It’s actually a very real, very serious issue of safety as residents often disable the alarms to stop the noise, leaving them completely unprotected if a fire should break out.
At the time of writing there still hasn’t been a public explanation for the alarms’ malfunction, although there has been talk about them not being cleaned regularly enough by residents or being affected by nicotine and other forms of contamination. Unfortunately, this whole episode raises serious concerns over the quality of some of the fire alarms on the market. ‘Built down to a price rather than up to a high quality standard’ comes to mind and surely this is not an acceptable principle for a life safety product.
Quality products – High Quality Fire Alarms
A misconception also exists that an alarm manufactured to BS EN 14604: 2005 is an endorsement of the quality of the alarm and therefore all alarms produced to the standard are directly comparable. But conformance only means that it meets the criteria set down in the standard; this doesn’t necessarily mean that the product is of high quality.
There are some major differences in the alarm build and quality between manufacturers, mostly as result of building down to a price. Often a manufacturer has just done the bare amount of work needed to make the alarm meet the requirements of the standard. Transients are often the cause of intermittent, random beeping and can even trigger fully fledged nuisance alarms. This problem can be minimised or even eliminated by careful circuit design that incorporates additional components to smooth out the transients. However, you are only likely to find them in a quality alarm because their inclusion requires a high degree of circuit design expertise and they also increase manufacturing costs which, in turn, increases the market price.
The design and build of the sensor chamber, particularly in optical alarms can have a significant effect on susceptibility to nuisance alarm. There has been some talk that the smaller the chamber, the more sensitive the device. There is some truth in this, but this benefit can be more than outweighed by the problem of dust contamination and the resulting false alarms that could be experienced if the design of the chamber is suspect. Is there an insect mesh in place to protect the chamber from insects and fibres that are the most common cause of false alarms? And has the chamber been purposely designed for use in a domestic smoke alarm rather than simply copied from a commercial detector design? What would be wrong in copying a commercial design, you may ask. Nothing, except that they are designed to be stripped down for cleaning on at least an annual basis. As a result, there is no requirement to be robust enough to last up to ten years without any proper maintenance, as a smoke alarm sensor chamber probably has to be. All of these points should be serious considerations by a manufacturer but all are costly to effectively design into the product. They most certainly should be taken into account when considering which smoke alarms to stock.
The industry standard for the Domestic Fire Alarms
Another feature worth noting is the horn. 85dBA at three metres is the industry standard sound level and you can pretty much guarantee that the alarm will produce this. However, the horn assembly on all alarms are not the same. Most manufacturers use pressure contacts for the horn disc, because they are a lower cost option. This may not cause a problem, but if the unit is subjected to high levels of humidity (and they often are) there is a possibility that corrosion of the contacts could occur causing a failure of the alarm to sound at the critical time of a fire.
Manufacturer testing of alarms is also an activity that you could argue separates the good from the not-so-good. Many manufacturers only batch test smoke alarms, which in our view simply isn’t good enough when you’re dealing with a life saving device. Aico alarms, for example, are comprehensively tested at several points of the manufacturing process, including at the Printed Circuit Board stage (In-circuit Test) and at the final assembled stage, where a Functional Test is carried out. Environmental stress testing is conducted and optical alarms have their sensitivity set by calibrating in actual smoke. Quality Assurance checks are carried out on all products at the sub-assembly, final-assembly and packaged stages. It’s a major task that has an impact on the price of the product but surely the peace of mind is worth that little bit extra.
The fire alarm’s power source
The other major consideration in ensuring you purchase quality smoke alarms is the power source and security of it. It’s estimated that at any given time around 50% of the nation’s battery smoke alarms are disabled. People remove the batteries to silence them, or to use in another device. Even if they leave them well alone, the standard batteries can be affected by changes in temperature, plus you have to rely on the resident to change them.
The only reliable way to overcome this is to use mains powered smoke alarms with rechargeable Lithium cell back up which can’t be removed like common PP3 batteries or used in anything else. Rechargeable Lithium cells also offer exceptional back up performance over a long period of time, but check that they are Lithium cells and not a PP3 battery, as these can be removed, despite any claims that they are tamperproof. But, don’t assume that all rechargeable cells are the same; the type of rechargeable cells used in the product and the way the charging circuit is set up are extremely important. Both of these often overlooked points can have a significant effect on the reliability of the back-up supply.
The Functionality of the Smoke Alarms
Then we come on to added alarm functionality and accessories, which will be more widespread with a good quality alarm. The ability to interconnect smoke alarms is a requirement of BS5839 Part 6 and Building Regulations and any half decent alarm will allow for this. Interconnection can be achieved through hard wiring or, more recently, through wire free RF technology. The latter is ideal for retro fitting as it removes the need for ugly trunking or re plastering and decorating. Aico offers such a facility with its RadioLINK system in addition to a wide range of complementary ancillary products to tailor-make a system to specific requirements.
So the question is are you going to risk selling lower cost, lower quality alarms that may cause your customers considerable aggravation, and potential returns to store? More importantly, are you going to consider the implications if one of these low cost, low quality alarms does not operate effectively when a fire occurs? By only stocking an alarm that has been quality tested at all stages of manufacture and has been designed and built up to a standard rather than down to a price, can you rest assured that you have done all you can to protect yourself and those whose life may depend on you making the right decision.
By the way, the high quality Aico Domestic Fire Alarms, Smoke Alarms, Heat Alarms, and CO Alarms, can be found on our website via the Fire Alarms section. This article is written by Neil Perdell(National Technical Manager for Aico Ltd) for the Electrical Wholesaler News(re-posted with permission) – at Cheap May Not Be Cheerful.
Install a quality Aico smoke/heat alarm system in a fraction of the time!
Posted by sparksdirect in fire alarms, technical data on July 13, 2009
Save time and money in choosing and installing the smoke/heat/fire alarms – choose the Aico Fire Alarms / Aico Smoke Alarms / Aico Heat alarms – domestic alarms and alarm systems. These alarms incorporate wireless communication for mains powered smoke and heat alarms – RadioLINK.
RadioLINK benefits – briefly
- The installation time is greatly reduced. You don’t need to lift the floorboards and the carpets, and the level of user disruption is minimum.
- The “Easi-Fit” technology applied/incorporated saves further time and money on every installation of the fire/smoke/heat alarms.
- These alarms have a wireless interconnection(no need to hard-wire their connection) and a zoning capability(you can plan/divide the house into zones, assigning each alarm to a zone);
- The interconnection cost is fixed, actually it is included in the cost of the devices;
- The radio transceiver technology used has been tried, tested and proven for a while now;
- This system is fully upgradeable – future proof fire alarm system;
- The risk of accidental mis-wiring is minimal;
- False alarms – no false alarms from normal electrical transients;
- The usage of the Easi-Fit alarms has proven to be an excellent idea in millions of installation nationwide;
- There is a wide range of optional devices available:
- The remote control switch(Ei411H) – only for use with the Ei160RC series(the Ei161RC, Ei164RC, and Ei166RC models);
- the Manual call point Ei407;
- The relay module Ei428;
- The alarm for the deaf Ei170RF.
So, why not save time, trouble, and money with the Aico RadioLINK devices!
RadioLINK – wireless interconnection of the smoke/heat alarms
RadioLINK is the only mains-powered smoke and heat alarm system that interconnects not via hard-wiring but via a radio signal(not cable wiring but wireless). What you need to do is to simply install each alarm with an Aico Ei168RC RadioLINK base and then wire them to the nearest light fitting. Activate the House-Code switch on each of the units in the system – now all the alarms on the system will sound if any one of them detects fire! They are inter-connected via the RadioLINK technology.
Major Time Savings with RadioLINK
Because there is no need to run cables and fix them in the walls/ceilings, causing a good mess in the process, you can complete the installation in a fraction of time! All you need to do is to just connect / wire the heat/smoke alarm to the nearest light fitting for power supply.
RadioLINK – in conjunction with EasiFit
This wireless interconnection technology, RadioLINK, features the unique and patented Easi-Fit installation system that has been widely positively received and acclaimed by the contractors and domestic installers. This way of installing the fire / smoke / heat alarms ensures that you save even more time on every installation.
Ideal for Larger Systems and HMO’s
With RadioLINK, a larger alarm system can be installed easily quickly, with a minimum disruption. This wireless technology of interconnecting the fire alarms also allows simple alarm zoning and setup as optional ancillary devices such as the manual call points, the remote signalling relays, etc.
Special Needs compatible
The RadioLINK technology and devices can also meet additional system requirements very simply and easily – whether it is providing warning for deaf persons (see Aico Ei170RF), installing a relay (see Aico Ei428) to signal to a Warden Call System, or providing a switch (see Aico Ei411H) to control a system without having to climb on a chair to access the alarms.
Unique House Coding
The RadioLINK units have a simple and unique coding system for the use of installation. The activating of the House-Code switch on all the units allows the RadioLINK alarms to automatically “learn” each other as a system – they automatically detect one another and coordinate together. This eliminates the risk of interference from the neighbouring systems.
The Multiple Repeater Function
The Ei168RC RadioLINK base unit now features a multiple repeater function as standard – this allows the radio signals to trave aling multiple paths. This multiple path capability allows the system to manage many RF impenetrable structures in the property, providing a more robust and reliable interconnection between all alarms in the system.
A Proven Technology
The RadioLINK technology has been developed, designed, and manufactured by Ei Electronics – the first name in domestic fire safety for quality, performance, and reliability. This radio technology incorporated in the RadioLINK base is already widely proven in literally thousands of domestic applications, while the detection element consists of the best-selling Aico Ei160RC series or the Aico Ei140 series alarms – the most successful and popular designs in use today.
Planning for the future – future proof
With this wireless technology from Aico, it is exceptionally fast, simple and cost-effective to change or add alarms and ancillary devices. If the requirements change, a RadioLINK system can be adapted easily to meet the new requirements.
When installing a mains powered smoke alarm system, how much time do u waste? With the Aico Easi-Fit installation system incorporated in the RadioLINK devices, you don’t have to:
- remove carpets – interconnecting the smoke alarms is vital, but it can also be consuming, highly disruptive and often damaging to the property. It does not have to be so, in a normal way! Easi-Fit solves that problem! No Removing of the Carpets!
- lift the floorboards – you may need to channel into walls, rip up and then replace floorboards, install obtrusive trunking, make good any plaster damage, replace damaged wallpaper, repaint the surfaces, or even re-lay the carpets. The preparation and repair work can add hours to an installation. The Easi-Fit technology does not make this kind of mess/require you to go through this trouble! No Lifting Of The Floorboards!
- have unsightly trunking – No Unsightly Trunking! You can now install a high quality mains powered alarm system in a small fraction of the normal time – and in the same time avoid all the mess, expense and time wasted with hard-wired interconnection – thanks to the RadioLINK technology!
You can overcome all these troubles with the RadioLINK technology! Read more about the RadioLINK technology on fire-detect.co.uk, read the RadioLINK Frequently Asked Questions (here also), and buy online Aico Fire Alarms – domestic alarms – with the RadioLINK technology integrated. Also, more details about the Easi-Fit technology can be found here. To help you in your choice of the domestic fire alarms, we also recommend the Domestic alarm selector, choosing what alarms to fit and where, based on BS 5839-6:2004.
User responsibilities in the testing and maintenance of the fire alarm system
Posted by admin in ask Mr Sparks, fire alarms, standards and regulations, technical data, website update on June 12, 2009
In a case of a fire alarm, and not only, the following rules are the general User Responsibilities for Fire Systems.
- The responsible person is required under BS5839 to undertake certain tasks with respect to the testing and maintenance of the Fire Alarm System.
- The responsible person is also required to liaise with the building maintenance personnel to ensure that their work does not impair or otherwise affect the operation of the Fire Alarm System, and to ensure that a clear space is maintained in the vicinity of detectors, and call points (break glass units) remain unobstructed and conspicuous.
Routine Testing
- The responsible person should also ensure that the following routine testing is carried out. If there is a link to a remote monitoring centre it will be necessary to advise the centre prior to a test.
- On larger systems it may be necessary to isolate building services interfaces to avoid disruption to the occupants.
- In any case the panel should provide audible and visual indication that parts of the system are isolated. This may take the form of a light on the main control panel.
Daily testing
Check that the panel indicates normal operation and that any fault is recorded. Also check that the recorded faults have been dealt with.
Weekly testing
Every week, a different Manual Call Point should be operated to test the ability of the control equipment to receive a signal and sound the alarm. The results should be recorded in a log book.
Biannually (previously quarterly) testing
The system should be checked by a Fire Alarm service organisation. This may be the system installer or an approved maintenance company, and is normally arranged via a maintenance agreement which specifies the number of visits and the level of service. The agreement should also cover non-maintenance visits, eg. call outs to attend faults etc.
The standard specifies a number of maintenance tasks which include a visual inspection of the installation to ensure that there are no alterations or obstructions which could effect the operation of the system, and functional checks to confirm the operation of the system. Any defects should be recorded in the log book and reported to a responsible person. A certificate of testing should also be completed and given to the responsible person.
Annually testing
- Each device on the system should be tested for correct operation as before.
- Any defects should be recorded in the log book and reported to the responsible person.
- A certificate of testing should be completed and given to the responsible person.
Action by user following a fire
- Advise the servicing company to arrange for the system to be tested by them.
- A certificate of testing should be issued to confirm the system operation following the inspection and any remedial work that is necessary.
Action by the user after any false alarm
The user can assist the servicing company in the identification of false alarms by observing the following:
- Always make a note of all illuminated indicators and messages displayed at the control panel
- Try and identify the activated device, i.e. Do not reset the panel until the area of the incident has been inspected
- Record any other incidents occurring at the same time which could affect the system, e.g. Power supply failure, building works etc.
- The service organization will be more likely to trace the false alarm if the above information is available.
Action by the user following a fault
- When a fault is reported by the control panel, the user should note all illuminated LED’s and the circumstances at the time the fault occurred, and report to the servicing company.
- The service company will be able to advise if the system is still able to respond to a Fire Alarm or whether extra vigilance should be observed until the fault is rectified.
- Faults should, under no circumstances be left unreported.
These are the generally accepted guidelines by Rafiki, Aico, and other Fire Alarms manufacturers, and they are also commonly accepted for all the domestic, commercial and industrial properties in UK. It is also our recommendation to all our visitors and customers to mind these basic rules(which should also be printed/posted especially at the workplaces). Read more about the Rafiki advices for Fire Alarms, some of the guidelines provided by Rafiki(intelligent fire technology) – check out the Rafiki series of industrial/commercial fire alarm systems (like the Rafiki Twinflex), found at The Conventional and Analogue Fire Alarms. For more details about the fire alarms, visit the Fire-Detect website(see a list of articles about the fire alarms here and here).
The 17th Edition Myth Exploded – concerning the Fire, Smoke and Heat alarms
Posted by admin in ask Mr Sparks, customer service, fire alarms, standards and regulations, technical data, website update on May 8, 2009
- Are you Installing the smoke alarms from Aico?
- Are you confused?
- Are there too many conflicting views?
- Here is the 17th Edition Myth Exploded! – the 17th edition myth related to the smoke and heat alarms (the pdf file)
- The Smoke alarms can be connected to a lighting circuit – this is the preferred circuit.
- The alternative is wiring on a dedicated circuit.
Who says this?
What does the 17th edition say?
The 17th edition does not make any reference to domestic smoke alarm installations in the whole document.
Why are some manufacturers saying that smoke alarms should be wired on a dedicated circuit?
They are misinterpreting the requirements of Chapter 56 – Safety Services. This makes reference to fire detection and alarm systems, but in section 560.10 it refers you to BS 5839 for the specific requirements. Appendix A makes it quite clear that BS 5839: Pt. 1 is the document being referred to. This standard is for commercial systems, it is not the standard for domestic smoke alarms systems, this is BS 5839: Pt. 6.
I’m confused: what should I do?
In the absence of specific advice in the 17th Edition for domestic smoke alarm systems to Grade D(mains with a back-up battery), follow the recommendations of BS 5839: Pt.6.
What are these recommendations exactly?
Clause 15.5 states that Grade D smoke alarms can be wired from either…
- ‘An independent circuit at the dwellings main distribution board, in which case no other electrical equipment should be connected to this circuit’.
- Or ‘A separately electrically protected, regularly used lighting circuit’.
- Note that RCD protection is not mentioned. Therefore, an RCD protected circuit is acceptable.
- Hard-wired systems must be on a single final circuit.
- Radio-Linked systems must be on a single final circuit.
- Radio-Linked systems can be on separate lighting circuits.
For any more advice, call and talk to the IEE, NICEIC, ECA or SELECT. Read/print the above details as a flyer from Aico – pdf file. To view the available domestic fire alarm systems, visit the Fire and Security section, Fire Alarms, Domestic Fire / Heat Alarms, where you can find an up-to-date selection of Aico smoke alarms, Aico Heat alarms, Aico CO alarms, etc. – buy online Aico fire alarms via SparksDirect.co.uk. A comprehensive Aico Smoke and Heat Alarms FAQ can also be found online here and here.
Aico Mains Powered Smoke, Heat and RF Alarms, FAQ, part 2
Posted by admin in ask Mr Sparks, customer service, fire alarms, standards and regulations, technical data, website update on May 7, 2009
Continuing to answer some of the most frequently asked questions concerning the Aico Mains Powered Smoke alarms, Heat alarms, Fire alarms, etc, below are the last 18 questions(the whole set of questions are also on fire-detect.co.uk). The first set, the first 17 questions, can be found here.
17. What cable do I need for the Aico Mains connections and where should the supply be taken from?
18. What cable do I need for the interconnect line?
19. How do I mount the Aico Alarms on the ceiling?
20. Can I fit the Aico Smoke or Heat Alarm on the wall?
21. How many Aico Smoke and Heat Alarms can I link together?
22. Can I use a relay to signal other devices?
23. Can I use the relay to connect to a 24 Volt Fire Alarm System?
24. How often should they be tested?
25. Should they be tested with smoke/heat?
26. What maintenance schedule is recommended?
27. How long will the battery last?
28. How will I know if the battery has failed?
29. How long do Aico Smoke Alarms last?
30. How do I stop nuisance alarms?
31. What is the radiation risk from Aico Ionisation Smoke Alarms?
32. How do I dispose of redundant Aico Ei alarms that contain a NiCad battery?
33. Are the Aico Ei alarms with rechargeable Lithium Cells compatible with previous models?
34. Why choose Aico Ei Professional Smoke Alarms?
17. What cable do I need for the Aico Mains connections and where should the supply be taken from?
Fitting
We recommend the use of 6243Y 3 core and earth PVC insulated cable to BS6004 standard. Building Regulations and BS 5839: Pt 6 state that mains only alarms with back-up, can be wired from a dedicated circuit at the distribution board, or they can be wired from a regularly used lighting circuit. In both cases, all hard wired alarms should be on a single final circuit.
Use the third core of 6243Y cable as stated above. Do NOT use the earth wire of twin and earth cable as this could cause problems of mistaken identity at a later date.
The Aico Ei140 and Aico Ei160 series Smoke and Heat Alarms have an Easi-fit mounting plate,which incorporates an enclosure for the electrical connections, so no back box or mounting kit would normally be required.
20. Can I fit the Aico Smoke or the Aico Heat Alarm on the wall?
All of the Aico Ei alarms are designed for ceiling mounting and will under most circumstances perform better if sited in this position. If it really is not practical to mount them on the ceiling, a Smoke Alarm can be wall mounted with the top edge 15-30cm from the ceiling. Ensure that it is 30cm away from any corner or obstruction which may impede the movement of smoke to the alarm. Do not wall mount heat alarms.
We recommend that under normal circumstances Smoke and Heat Alarms should only be interconnected within the confines of a single family dwelling. If they are connected between different units, there may be excessive nuisance alarms and it can be difficult to locate and silence the unit causing the alarm. However, there is no technical reason why up to 20 alarms cannot be interconnected in a single system that encompasses a number of individual dwellings – such as may be required in an HMO, for instance. In circumstances such as these, a very high level of system design, management and maintenance is necessary to reduce the level of nuisance alarm.
The minimum requirement should be to install a System Remote Control Switch Ei1529RC on each floor of the property. By pressing the locate switch, all alarms in the system are silenced, for a period of approx. 8 – 10 minutes, except for the unit initiating the alarm state. This allows time to rectify the problem before the system is automatically reinstated to full working order.
There are a number of options available for using a relay with Aico Ei Smoke and Heat Alarms. All the relays have volt-free output contacts rated at up to 240V and have both Normally Open and Normally Closed connections. There are relay options available for use with mains operated devices such as bells, sounders and door closers. In addition, there are relays available with a battery back-up for use with devices that will operate even in the event of a mains failure, such as Warden Call Systems. The relay can be mounted under an alarm, or can be remotely sited using the optional cover for electrical safety.
23. Can I use the relay to connect to a 24 Volt Fire Alarm System?
Technically it can be used but if the system has to comply to BS 5839: Pt 1 it may not meet all the requirements. For example, it is not possible to silence the sounder in the smoke alarm from the control panel. Many regulatory bodies now recognise that a dual system (smoke/heat alarms in the individual occupancies and a Pt.1 system in the communal areas) in HMOs can be an extremely effective means of reducing the incidence of false alarms. In this instance, subject to approval, it could be an advantage to have this link.
Maintenance
We recommend weekly testing by pressing the test button on the alarm/s for between 5 – 10 seconds, or until all interconnected alarms sound. The use of a low level System Control Switch sited at low level can be used to make this easier for the occupier.
BS 5839: Pt.6: 2004 recommends that a smoke/heat test is preformed when the system is commissioned. Pressing the test button checks the electronics, interconnect and the horn are operational, so it is our view that it is not necessary to test with smoke or heat and a ‘variation’ can be invoked in order to comply with the standard. However, if it is considered that testing of smoke alarms is a necessity, we would only recommend the use of special purpose built equipment such as the SAT332 Smoke Alarm Tester with the SAA300 Synthetic Smoke Aerosol. This device ensures that sufficient synthetic ”smoke” enters the sensor chamber and remains long enough for the Smoke Alarm to respond. Other methods of smoke testing, e.g. a lighted taper or smoke pellets, can give misleading results. Testers for Heat Alarms are also available. Do Not test with a flame – this can be a hazard in itself.
The Aico Ei range of Smoke Alarms and Heat Alarms are suitable for use in Grades D, E and F systems as defined in the British Standard which covers alarm systems in domestic dwellings, BS 5839: Pt6: 2004. It states that these alarms “should be cleaned periodically in accordance with the manufacturers instructions”.
Our recommendations are as follows:
- Regularly check to see that the green mains power light is on.
- Press the test button weekly to check all alarms in the system.
- Regularly check that the red light under the test button or on the cover flashes approx. every 40 seconds.
- Clean the cover of the alarm regularly using a barely damp, lint free cloth.
- On a monthly basis (at least) check the alarm for signs of contamination from dust, cobwebs or insects. Use a vacuum cleaner around the cover of the alarm to remove contamination.
- Check (at least annually) that the alarm will operate on back-up battery power only by switching off the mains supply and pressing the test button.
This will depend on a number of factors that will differ slightly according to the type of alarm in use. The Aico Ei140 series alarms are supplied with an Alkaline battery which, dependent on conditions, can provide up to 4 years standby supply, up to 2 years without mains power. The Aico Ei160 series alarms are fitted with rechargeable Lithium power cells which are continuously charged by the alarm circuitry. They have a life expectancy greater than that of the Smoke Alarm, i.e 10 years or more,which eliminates the need for replacement.
If either, the voltage of the battery falls to a sufficiently low level, or the internal resistance of the battery reaches a predetermined state, the alarm unit will emit a warning beep every 40 seconds. In the case of the Aico Ei140 series alarms, it is probable that the alkaline battery in the unit requires replacement. Access to the battery is gained by removing the alarm from the Easi-fit mounting plate. The power cells on the Aico Ei160 series alarms are not replaceable. If these units emit a low battery warning beep it is probable that the mains supply has failed. The cables, fuses etc should be investigated and the fault rectified. If the beeping continues the alarm may have a fault and it should be returned for inspection.
Miscellaneous
There is no technical reason why a Smoke or Heat Alarm should not last up to 10 years, but the actual lifespan will depend to a large extent on where and how the alarm has been sited, installed and maintained. The most common cause of alarm failure is due to contamination of the sensor chamber and/or electronics. In certain circumstances, even with regular cleaning, contamination can build up in the smoke sensing chamber causing the alarm to sound. If this happens the alarm must be returned for servicing or repair. All manufacturers of smoke alarms recommend that their products are replaced after 10 years use.
False alarms are usually a result of incorrect siting of the Smoke Alarm, by contamination as a result of building/redecoration operation, or poor levels of maintenance. For instance, if Ionisation alarms are sited too close to a Kitchen, false alarm will often result due to invisible cooking fumes reaching the alarm. Optical alarms are liable to contamination from dust and fibres, often associated with building work being undertaken without the alarms being properly covered. The Aico Ei140 and Aico Ei160 series smoke alarms are supplied with a ‘hush button’ that can be pressed to desensitise them to allow time for the source of the problem to be investigated. Use of the ‘hush button’ will only silence the alarm for 8 – 10 minutes after which the alarm will automatically reset. If the cause of the false alarm is contamination, the only method of permanently silencing the alarm is to remove the contamination source. This may not be possible without removal and cleaning of the alarm itself. It can be difficult to reach the hush button in some instances, particularly for the elderly and infirm, so the installation of a wall mounted System Remote Control Switch Ei1529RC should be considered to overcome this problem.
31. What is the radiation risk from Ionisation Smoke Alarms?
The National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB), UK have carried out extensive tests on Aico Ei professional Ionisation Smoke Alarms and have concluded that they are radiologically safe. They estimate that we receive 10,000 times as much radiation from our surroundings as we would from an ionisation alarm in normal use.
32. How do I dispose of redundant Aico Ei alarms that contain a NiCad battery?
The early 150 series alarms contained a NiCad battery and some may now be reaching their end of life. The Cadmium contained within the battery is a restricted substance under The Batteries and Accumulators Regulations 1994 and cannot be disposed of in normal waste. Aico / Ei Electronics take their responsibilities to the environment seriously, and will accept redundant Ei product back for recycling/disposal. The Aico Ei140 and Aico Ei160 series do not contain NiCAd batteries, so are not subject to disposal restrictions.
33. Are the Aico Ei alarms with rechargeable Lithium Cells compatible with previous models?
These have been designed to be fully compatible with previous Smoke and Heat Alarm models. Therefore if an old model 150 series mains powered alarm should require replacement, the equivalent model in the new 150 series can be easily and safely installed in it’s place. All Aico Ei140, 150 and 160 series alarms are also fully compatible with each other.
34. Why choose Ei Professional/Aico Ei Smoke Alarms?
Ei Professional Alarms are designed and manufactured by Europe’s largest producer of Smoke and Heat Alarms, with over 30 years experience in producing quality life safety devices. The latest techniques are used in the manufacturing process, with the highest quality and reliability standards (including BS EN ISO 9001:2000) being practised to ensure trouble-free performance. The Smoke Alarms and Heat Alarms are fully 3rd Party tested and Kitemarked to the relevant British Standard (BS 5446: Pt.1: 2000 for Smoke Alarms, BS 5446: Pt.2: 2003 for Heat Alarms). All the alarms are easily installed and come with comprehensive instruction leaflets and a 5 year guarantee.
PLEASE NOTE: The information contained in set of articles is only a summary of some of the key points about our Smoke and Heat Alarms. It is not intended to replace the instruction leaflet supplied with the product. Smoke and Heat Alarms must be installed by a qualified person according to the recommendations contained in whichever of the following documents are relevant to the specific installation; BS 5839: Pt.6, Building Regulations and I.E.E. Wiring Regulations. The information supplied in these articles is believed to be in conformity with these codes. However, Ei Electronics / Aico Ltd or Sparks Electrical Wholesalers Ltd cannot be held responsible for ensuring the Smoke and Heat Alarms, as installed, are in compliance with these codes. This is the responsibility of the installer and we recommend that the original source documents are consulted to achieve this end.
Read the first set of the frequent asked questions(the first 16 questions) concerning the Aico alarms:
- What are the fire alarm requirements for New – Build properties?
- What is a Grade D system?
- What do LD2 and LD3 mean?
- What are the requirements for existing properties?
- What is a Fire Risk Assessment?
- If I install an LD2 level of cover can this remove my responsibilities to conduct a Fire Risk Assessment?
- What do I need to do to address the requirements of ‘special needs’ people or groups?
- What types of sensor are available?
- How do Aico Ei Ionisation and Optical Smoke Alarms work?
- What are the advantages and disadvantages of both sensor types ?
- How do Aico Ei Heat Alarms work?
- Which Alarm should I use where?
- Where should alarms be sited?
- How many do I need?
- Where shouldn’t the Aico Smoke Alarms be sited?
- Will they always work?
Check out the available domestic fire alarm systems by visiting the Fire and Security section, Fire Alarms, Domestic Fire / Heat Alarms, where you can find an up-to-date selection of Aico smoke alarms, Aico Heat alarms, Aico CO alarms, etc. – buy online Aico fire alarms via SparksDirect.co.uk. This FAQ can also be found online here, here and on the sparksdirect blog.