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Fire alarms are a very important independent device that integrates detection of a fire (smoke detector) and emission of alerts (fire alarm) as a consequence through a loud beeping noise. They are normally fitted to the ceilings of your home and can detect a fire in its early stages, giving you and your family time to exit safely.
Currently, there are four different types of fire alarms:
Heat detectors are insensitive to smoke and are triggered by either the temperature rising above a preset level or if the temperature rises rapidly in a short space of time. They are ideal for kitchens, but more than one may have to be installed in a larger kitchen area.
Very sensitive to small particles of smoke, fire alarms based on ionisation tend to detect fast moving fires, which could be the case with wood or paper, for instance. They are normally quicker at sensing fire before smoke gets too thick.
Optical fire alarms, also known as photoelectric smoke alarms, are normally used for low burning and smouldering fires. These are particularly effective in areas where there could be a smouldering foam filled furniture & overheated PVC wiring, such as bedrooms and living rooms.
Optical fire alarms are also a good option to be installed near kitchens, as it is less likely to react to a burning toast, which may be the case with ionisation alarms, for instance.
Combined fire alarms may either combine optical and heat alarms or smoke detection and carbon monoxide alarms. The benefit of the former is the quicker smoke detection and decrease in false alarms, whilst the latter may reduce your costs.
”Thank you Tindall Security for installing our smoke and fire alarms. Your engineers were absolute professionals and seemed to get everything done both quickly and efficiently. You can be proud of your team for the way they conduct themselves. Thanks again.
Andreas KendallBishops Stortford, Hertfordshire
Fire alarms are usually battery powered and have a built-in siren, although they are now becoming increasingly hard wired into the electrical system with battery back-up. They can also be linked together so that one alarm may trigger the rest, which can be done through radio interlinked smoke alarms.
Batteries should be replaced every 12 months to ensure alarms are working efficiently and that is why maintenance of your fire alarms is absolutely crucial.
Fire alarms should be fitted onto ceilings, at least 12 inches away from any wall or light fittings. It’s also important that they are installed in areas where they can be heard when you are asleep. If you have a two-storey home, it would be ideal to have at least one fire alarm closer to your bedroom, to ensure they are heard overnight in case they are triggered.
All of our home fire alarms and smoke detectors, conventional and analogue addressable systems, meet the British Standard Code of Practice and are NSI Gold accredited for Security, Fire and CCTV Monitoring.
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