Hotel Smoke/Heat Alarms

If you don't mind, readers, we'd like to take a little survey. Do you have a smoke alarm installed in your kitchen, and if you do: how often does that alarm go off while you're cooking? In all likelihood, you didn't even burn anything; the fumes alone were enough to trigger the alarm. Most of us have had this experience, and all of us have developed our own ways of dealing with the problem. Maybe you just open a window to let out the fumes - a practical solution, but not exactly ideal in the middle of November. Perhaps you hired a butler to stand beneath the alarm with a handkerchief, waving away the smoke with a sophisticated flick of the wrist. Or maybe you turn off the alarm altogether, leaving your kitchen at risk of fire. You don't have to listen to that awful sound anymore, but it's incredibly unsafe. Why These Annoying Alarms? The most common (i.e. cheapest) type of smoke detector contains an ionisation sensor, which is overly sensitive to everyday cooking fumes. It's certainly important to keep your kitchen safe from fire, but these sensors aren't the best thing to have around when you make a tiny mistake in the kitchen. Luckily, a smoke alarm isn't the only solution out there: a much better idea for the kitchen is to install a heat detector such as the Aico Ei164RC, which will trigger an alarm once the temperature reaches 58° Celsius.Note: see the full range of Aico fire alarms, heat alarms, smoke alarms, and CO alarms available at Sparks. It's much safer than turning off the alarm altogether, easy to install with RadioLINK connectivity, and much less costly than hiring that butler.Best Domestic Fire Alarms

A common misconception a lot of people hold is that there is just "one kind of fire alarm", the kind that is stuck on the ceiling in the kitchen and makes a horrible noise when you burn the toast. But that isn't true; there are actually several different kinds of fire detectors, each with its own sensors, each with its own function. The three most common fire detectors found in domestic properties are the optical and ionisation type smoke detectors and the heat detector. Today, we'll try to explain how each of them works and where they work best. Ionisation Smoke Detectors Ionisation-type smoke detectors are the most inexpensive type of detector and probably the most common. The sensors release a tiny amount of radiation (around 1/5000th of a gram) to ionize the air inside the sensor. If there is a fire, ions in the smoke will attach themselves to the ions in the sensor and trigger the alarm. These types of sensor are usually quick to respond before the smoke gets too thick, which makes them great for use in the bedroom or living room, where they can safely ignore the dust and cigarette smoke. Note: if there is a risk of fire due to cigarettes, an optical sensor might be best. However, because of their general sensitivity to the non-visible byproducts of the fire, ionisation smoke detectors are not suited for use in the kitchen. The grill alone can trigger a false alarm when all you wanted was a delicious cheese toastie. Optical Smoke Detectors An optical smoke detector aims a thin beam of light at a specific point in the sensor. All around that point is photosensitive material which is not usually exposed to that light. However, when smoke gets into the sensor, the light is scattered onto the photosensitive material, and the alarm is triggered. These detectors are sensitive to slow-burning, smoldering fires such as when a piece of furniture ignites or when faulty electrical wiring overheats. On the other hand, a little bit of steam can cause a false alarm. So don't install these next to the bathroom; a hot shower could trigger the alarm exactly when you don't want it. Heat Detectors Generally speaking, a heat detector works in one of two ways: the heat sensor sounds the alarm when the temperature reaches a certain level, or the sensor measures how quickly the temperature is rising - too fast and the alarm is triggered. The Aico heat detectors offered at Sparks Electrical are calibrated to trigger an alarm when the local temperature reaches 58°C. They are best installed in the kitchen or the garage, but because they can be relatively slow to respond to a fire they should only be used as part of an interconnected fire alarm system that includes smoke detectors. We have a number of these smoke and heat detectors online and in our showroom, as well as a top-of-the-range multi-sensor device that combines optical and heat detection technology for installation almost anywhere in the house. There is no "one-size-fits-all fire alarm" that will be effective everywhere in your home: each type of sensor is suited to a specific use. If you're in need of a little more advice on fire alarm systems, particularly for corporate and industrial purposes where the regulations are different, feel free to come down to our showroom. We'll be happy to help you choose the right alarms for your purposes!Heat Detectors at Sparks

This article is part of the guide offered by Aico concerning, How do I test/commission my fire alarms? Yesterday we were talking about the RadioLINK Alarms and bases - doing the house-coding right, previously we were speaking about the Switches and Call Points, and now it's all about the RadioLINK relays and repeater modules. When it comes to the Aico RadioLINK connected relays and repeater modules, you need to know how to do the house coding and how to do the testing (after the coding has been done). RadioLINK relays/repeater modules - House-Coding Take off the cover and slide the yellow battery switch 'ON' Refit the cover and use a screwdriver to press the House-Code button The green light will change to red. As soon as it does, remove the screwdriver. Put all other RadioLINK units from House-Code The green light will start to flash red to show it's looking for other units on the system. Check the number of flashes equals the number of RadioLINK units. For example, 3 units = 3 flashes, 4 units = 4 flashes etc. If the number of flashes is ok it shows they have all House-Coded together. Complete the coding by using a screwdriver to press the House-Code button on the front. As soon as the red light comes on solidly, remove the screwdriver. RadioLINK relays/repeater modules - Testing the relays Make sure the mains power to the circuit is on. Check that the green power lights on the alarms and relay are on (if they are off, check circuit breakers, fuses, wiring etc.) Press and hold the test button on the alarm for around 10 seconds Check the relay switches and the devices connected to it are activated (e.g. strobe flashes) Read more on this topic at, How do I test / Commission my Aico RadioLINK alarms? - via the Aico website, or purchase the Aico Domestic Fire / Smoke / Heat alarms at Sparks Electrical.Best Interconnected Alarms

We have previously introduced the Aico Product Selector guide, especially the Domestic alarm selector, choosing what alarms to fit and where, based on BS 5839-6:2004. Recently, they put more information on their website regarding the Aico Fire Alarms - and today we would like to inform all our customers and visitors about What Aico Fire Alarm Works Where? Make Sure You Fit The Right Fire Alarm! Check out below the simple tips and the places where you can site the domestic fire alarms from Aico. You can read this article in its entirety on the What Works Where? page at Aico.co.uk. There are all different types of smoke/heat alarms available. Each alarm type responds to different types of smoke or levels of heat, so each is better suited to different areas of the home. Have a look at the diagram below to see what type of alarm to fit in the different areas: The Aico Multi-Sensor Fire Alarm The Multi-Sensor contains two sensors - Optical and Heat. It responds to both slow smoldering fires (Sofas, TVs) and fast flaming fires (Papers, Clothing). More about the Aico Multi-Sensor alarms. Ask for the Aico Ei2110 - Mains powered with rechargeable Lithium back-up The Aico Optical Smoke Alarm Proven Optical Sensor. It is more responsive to smoldering fires (Sofas, TVs). More about the Aico Optical Smoke Alarms. Ask for the Aico Ei166RC - Mains powered with rechargeable Lithium back-up Ask for the Aico Ei146 - Mains powered with Alkaline battery back-up The Aico Heat Alarm Heat Sensor (triggers at 58°C). It responds to heat build-up from large flaming fires. Ask for the Aico Ei164RC - Mains powered with rechargeable Lithium back-up Ask for the Aico Ei144 - Mains powered with Alkaline battery back-up The Aico Ionisation Smoke Alarm Proven long-life ionization sensor. It is more responsive to flaming fires (Papers, Clothing). Ask for the Aico Ei161RC - Mains powered with rechargeable Lithium back-up Ask for the Aico Ei141 - Mains powered with Alkaline battery back-up Read more about the Aico Fire Alarms - Tips for the Aico Domestic fire alarms, smoke alarms, and heat alarms: Tips: The Aico Electrical Contractors Handybook – get it right when installing! Tips: Install a quality Aico smoke/heat alarm system in a fraction of the time! Tips: What is a smoke alarm? What is the purpose of the smoke alarms? Tips: Smoke Alarms – what do the Building Regulations demand? Tips: Selecting the fire detection system: optical /ionization/heat alarms; Aico Tips: fitting and looking after your smoke alarm, and other useful tips;Buy Aico Domestic Alarms at Sparks