Smart Fire Alarms

These days there are so many smart things, smart devices, and smart technologies that can make our home smarter; as we have a smart home, we also need to make sure it is safe. We were recently consulting the, Safer and Smarter Home guide by Electrical Safety First and we were inspired to bring some of these details to the forefront for our customers and visitors also.Keep reading this guide to find out more about: Having a Smart Home - BenefitsHaving a Smart Home that is also Safe!As of today, May 2024, some many smart devices and sensors can be installed or used in our home, including:Smart camerasSmart door locksSmart video monitoring systemSmart shades systemSmart water controlSmart heat control devicesSmart access controlSmart weather devicesSmart lightsSmart sensorsSmart WifiSmart Solar PanelsSmart multimedia controlsSmart climate controlsSmart flood sensorsSmart alarm systemSmart garage doorIn a sense, there's a smart device for any aspect of our daily life and for every part of the home, and many modern people rush into getting this and that smart device, only to discover that, eventually, some devices don't work with one another while others are complicated to set up and maintain, and still others die suddenly. When the smart devices work, life is bliss, but when there are problems, life tends to be a mess. We need to learn to measure and manage the smart home in a proper way so that it can be not just a smart home but also a safe home. If we install the smart things as the manufacturer intends and instructs, they assist us and even improve certain aspects of our lives. However, we need to be aware of some of the dangers or hazards involved in having and using smart devices around the house and have a smart home that is also safe. Having a Smart Home - BenefitsAs we live in this post-pandemic world, we realize that we have an increasing need for electronic devices that are interconnected. Actually, the pandemic accelerated the use of electronic devices and smart devices, both for leisure and for work, and we realize how easier life can be when we have them around. There are some great benefits of having a smart home, which include:Energy Saving by Controlling, Monitoring, and Saving Energy with Smart DevicesWhen we have connected devices that help us monitor our heating, water, and energy usage, we can control it better, keep track of what we're using, and reduce costs. We can be notified when there's an excess of water or energy used, and we know for sure that the bill will be lower when we use energy-saving LED Lamps and LED light fittings. We will be aware of how much we spend on using heat pumps and the electric boiler, and we will reduce the cost when switching to smarter heating systems. Buy Intelligent Thermostats at SparksHaving a Smart Home when we Work from HomeIf there's one thing the pandemic showed us is that many of us can work from home, at least partially. We do relax and unwind at home, but at the same time, we work either part-time or full-time from home. Smart devices and smart sensors in our home, paired together with smart control systems, can make our lives simpler and our work-from-home experience much more enjoyable. We may learn how to set up our home network, TV, audio, lighting, and other smart systems around the house. ConvenienceOne of the best benefits of having a smart home that is also safe is convenience. Having voice-activated assistants and touchscreen control of the systems around the house is very convenient. And many times we can remotely control and adjust the smart devices in our home - even when we're at the office or on holiday. For example, we may want to make sure the house is warm when we get back from holiday, so we remotely adjust the heating. We can even set up individual lighting schemes based on our needs or according to our mood. SecurityWith the rise in the smart doorbells, it is so easy to install one and remotely answer the door or greet your guests. Even without opening the door, we can chat with visitors or mailmen. Furthermore, there are many security systems that can be installed around the house and in the house to monitor the premises. There are also smart locks that can be used to open the door and allow specific people to come in, based on their credentials and security access. SafetySome of the smart devices we use in our home can monitor whether we have left an appliance on or off, and we can see whether we can turn it off remotely. We can avoid potential fire hazards by using smart technology, turning the electricity or heating off remotely. For instance, some smart home sensors can detect temperature, levels of carbon dioxide, or water leaks, and they notify the homeowner. We at Sparks sell a range of smart Fire Alarms and Heat Alarms by Aico, incorporating AudioLINK+ and alsoRadioLINK+ technology. For those who are elderly or disabled, there are smart home technologies and devices that can make a great difference to their quality of life and guarantee the peace of mind of the caregivers. Automatic sensors can be installed to check if a cooker has been left ON or a bath is overflowing. The light can be automatically turned on when presence is detected and off when someone leaves the room. Voice-controlled smart home devices also help people with limited mobility by making common household appliances easy to use. A Smart Home Can Improve Well-beingHaving a smart home and interconnected smart devices can also enhance personal well-being.Many health-related devices monitor and alert you regarding different health conditions and anomalies. Many smart routines can be set up in the home to help with sleep and living patterns. There are smart air filtration systems and dehumidifiers to purify and ventilate the air. For example, at Sparks, we sell a range of dMEV ventilation systems which come on when moisture is detected, and they run slowly in the background when they are not needed. Buy iConstant dMEV FansHaving a Smart Home that is also Safe: Safer Smarter HomesWhen we consider the smart devices, sensors, and technologies that can be installed and used around the home, it's not the fire hazards that are more common but the nuisance related to installing, maintaining, interlinking, controlling, warranty, fixing, and taking care of these smart things. It is important to consider certain matters when planning to buy smart things for the house. It is important to consider that the smart home is also safe - there's a need for safer smarter homes. Here is a list of questions to consider before purchasing a new piece of technology that is smart and can improve our life at home:Will this smart device work with my other smart devices?We need to know what system we use at home, how the smart devices interconnect, and how will this new device interconnect and relate to the other devices. Some competitor technologies and manufacturers do not interoperate, so we can save ourselves the frustration of trying to make them work together by making sure this happens before we buy them. Buy Aico Smart Fire AlarmsDoes this smart device use Bluetooth or wifi? Can my wifi cover it?Some smart devices require a good wifi connection, while others connect via Bluetooth. Before purchasing any smart device, we need to consider if we have enough wifi coverage to reach that device and whether we can use Bluetooth to reach it if Bluetooth is required. Software updates: how long are they guaranteed?It is imperative to know beforehand if the smart device we purchase is guaranteed for at least 2-3 years to have software updates by the manufacturer. Regular software updates improve the smart device and patch any issues or errors. How long do we have after-sales support? Is there online support?We may think we know everything we need to know about a particular smart device, for we studied it and we know it inside out, but it's best to know before buying whether we have after-sales support, and for how long. Also, we need to know the place online where we can get support, first by registering the product and then by enquiring with them about different issues that may arise. Is this smart device the real thing?Sometimes the price of a smart device is so low that we're ready to buy it; however, we need to make sure we buy the right thing, the device made by that manufacturer, and not any counterfeit device. For example, we at Sparks sell smart devices made by Forum Lighting, Danfoss, and Aico, among others, and we sell original products made by these manufacturers. Is my personal data safe?Many times our personal data and device usage is stored in the cloud, so we need to make sure that our personal data is safe before purchasing a product. If a particular manufacturer has a track record of being lax about their security and there are data breaches, it is not recommended to purchase smart devices from them. What's the backup plan for when this smart device fails?No one wants to think about this, but it is an important point to consider. If the smart device we're about to buy will fail, what's the backup plan? Let's say we replace our doorbell with a smart one, and the smart doorbell fails; what is our backup plan? Note: all the above tips are inspired by the Electrical Safety First guide to Smart Home and Safety - guides 1 and 2. At Sparks, we sell a limited amount of smart devices, but we want to make sure all our visitors and customers are safe when purchasing and using smart devices for a smart home - even a smarter safer home. 

Advanced technology has made innovations in all types of devices possible, and this includes smoke alarms; it is important to choose the right smoke or heat alarm. A modern domestic smoke alarm still performs its fundamental task of detecting smoke, but now comes with a host of additional functions that will enhance the safety of tenants, while adding more flexibility. A good example of the new breed of advanced fire alarms came with Aico’s 3000 Series, which held a range of features never before seen on a fire alarm. With the 3000 Series, Aico combined cutting-edge intelligent design with SmartLink and AudioLINK capabilities, which enabled them to interlink and share data. Clearly, a new dawn of smart fire alarms is upon us. In this article, Sparks will explain why you should upgrade to an advanced wireless alarm system - if you haven’t done so already! Different type of Smoke Alarms It may be confusing to decide which type of alarm will best suit which area of your house. Aico has this detailed guide that gives advice on the placement of different alarm types. Ionisation sensors are recommended for use in bedrooms only, due to their sensitivity and propensity for triggering false alarms. Heat sensors react to fast-flaming, high-intensity fires, without detecting smaller particles from cooking fumes. They are recommended for use in garages and kitchens, where there is a serious risk of high-heat flames caused by grease fires. Optical sensors contain an infrared (IR) beam that detects smoke particles from slow, smoldering fires. They are designed to detect intense, smoldering flames emanating from the kitchen with their intelligent IR beams. It is important that we understand the difference in alarm types before we look at how they interconnect for our protection.Buy Smoke Alarms at Sparks Why have modern wireless alarm technology in your household? Building Regulations and BS 5839-6 are examples of British legislation that require landlords and homeowners to have interconnected alarms. This is important as it has made a huge impact on fire alarm manufacturers in recent years. Many have chosen to stick to alarms that are physically wired together, however, there are many problems with these systems. The chief reasons are that they can create significant disruption, interference and material damage. This problem can easily be avoided with the use of wireless systems and Radio Frequency (RF) signals. Installing alarms with wireless interconnection is straightforward once you get your various alarms to ‘talk’ to each other via the RF signals. This can be achieved with the click of a button in the case of Aico’s 3000 Series. Look at this guide on how to ‘House-Code’ Aico’s 3000 range here, to understand how effortless it can be. The advantages of a wireless alarm system Wireless systems have many benefits over hardwired systems, some of which are: Control of large systems from one switch When interconnected alarms became increasingly popular, the average household alarm system expanded in size. The reason is simply that the features made them easier to control from a single location. Make sure whichever system you choose, includes the Test, Silence, and Locate features. These are intrinsic to a large system as you can test and silence all alarms conveniently from a single switch. This means you can quickly identify whatever alarm was triggered. Using more advanced systems, such as Aico’s 3000 Series, you could also generate a RadioLINK+ report that would give you more detailed information about any alarm triggers. The compatibility of RF technology RF technology makes it extremely easy to connect different alarm types e.g. a fire alarm to an Aico Ei3018 Carbon Monoxide alarm. However, it also has the advantage of being able to interconnect with completely different devices. Modern fire alarms can be usefully linked to all manner of devices, like sprinkler systems for instance. Having a direct connection between a fire alarm system and a sprinkler system may be a life-saver, and is a great example of what modern technology offers to fire alarms. Data extraction Data extraction technology has real benefits for both residents and social housing providers. They can access information on battery back-up or battery life, alarm sensor status, the number of times tested and removed and alarm activations. This is great for landlords as they can ensure they are complying with government regulations. More advanced systems, such as Aico’s 3000 Series, are able to generate an AudioLINK+ report for this comprehensive information.Buy Wireless Interconnected Alarms Aico: customer safety and convenience first It is reassuring to know that manufacturers have a responsibility to guarantee that any ‘next-gen’ alarm is easy and intuitive to use (as well as to install). We hope this guide helps you to choose the right smoke or heat alarm. As well as making their alarms simple to use and connect, Aico offers practical training and advice delivered to your home. Their Mobile Training & Demonstration Units deliver detailed smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) alarm product and technology information, and well-accredited training. Aico have taken their responsibility for consumer safety very seriously.

With the advent of wireless technology, Aico saw a way to fundamentally change and improve the way home domestic heat alarms, fire alarms, smoke alarms, and CO alarms systems operate, especially via their RadioLINK+ and AudioLINK technologies. How Aico sees IoT as an opportunity to improve the fire alarm systems via wireless communication The Internet Of Things (IoT) radicalised the market, with devices transferring information over wireless networks with no need for human-to-computer interaction. Aico saw this as a golden opportunity to bring forth advanced wireless-interconnected fire protection systems. They are committed to the highest possible standards in terms of quality and responsiveness in their products, retaining the status as the market leader in fire and CO protection. Revolutionary RadioLINK and RadioLINK+ allows for easy wireless communication between alarms In the late 2000's Aico delved into the world of IoT, and this led to the interconnection of their fire alarm systems. They first began by connecting their heat and smoke alarms via radio frequency (RF), meaning that when one alarm in the system was alerted, they all sounded off. All this took was fitting a base or module directly onto the alarm, such as the RadioLINK base EI168RC, which complies with all alarms in the 140RC Series.  Once you have fitted all your bases and alarms you will need to connect them via ‘House-Coding’ upon install, to confirm they are communicating properly. If you already have an existing hard-wired system, RadioLINK alarms can be added in via what's called 'a hybrid system'. The advantages of a wirelessly connected network for alarms is obvious. RadioLINK integration uses a wireless connection that eliminates the need for burdensome wiring runs, salvages time at installation, reduces disruption time at installation, saves you money and makes it more straightforward to add new alarms and accessories. Next up would be RadioLINK+ -  a step up in alarm interconnection evolution. Setting up a RadioLink+ system requires control from a desktop appliance, which is demonstrated in the video below. Introduction to Aico RadioLink+ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7K-I0wqZff4&feature=youtu.be With the introduction of RadioLink+ and its module for connection, the slot for House Coding was shifted onto the actual alarm, allowing for far easier access without having to detach the alarm. The Aico Ei100MRF module connected a comprehensive number of newer Aico alarms - any number of the alarms - in the Ei160e Series system.  The Remote Alarm Interconnection meant only a single alarm in the RadioLINK+ system would need the Remote House Code inputting. From here, the RadioLINK+ just needed the new alarm or accessory to be added to allow for remote control, test and asset management. The RadioLINK+ data extraction system allows for entire system reports: this can help prevent instances of alarm tampering, and give you information about all your alarms activities. This information includes the RF signal strength between alarms, the age of alarms and CO levels (if there is a CO alarm in the system).Buy Aico RadioLINK+ Fire AlarmsAudioLink: extra convenience and analytical feedback straight to your mobile device Aico is serious about supplying the users of its alarms with up-to-date feedback, also offering AudioLINK functionality into many of its alarms, including all of their CO alarms. AudioLINK can be added as an App on your smartphone or tablet and will offer you a wide variety of useful functions including: Alarm activations Sensor status Record of testing Battery and backup cell status Carbon Monoxide (CO) levels recorded – in CO alarms only Background levels of CO – in CO alarms only Advice on dust contamination levels – Ei2110e only AudioLINK is available on all Aico CO alarms, including the Ei208 and Ei262, as well as other fire alarm types such as the Multi-Sensor Fire Alarm Ei2110e.  The remote nature of the data extraction technology granted by AudioLINK is that the extraction itself can be done without any need for removal of the alarm. This ensures the alarm will continue to detect even as you analyze your report. The report generated is easy to read and gives details of any incident immediately, meaning the feedback is instant. Data recorded by the AudioLINK technology can be extracted an infinite number of times and is also historic, meaning that all information is stored for life. Any information from the Alarm Status Report can be emailed directly from your device to multiple addresses, in the form of a PDF report. It is highly useful for easy integration with a housing management or maintenance system.Buy Aico Smart Fire Alarms For instance, Adactus Housing, who own and manage over 13,000 properties across England have fitted all their houses with Aico Ei208 due to the convenient and practical features that AudioLINK affords them. Ivan Meredith, Group Gas Compliance Manager at Adactus Housing, explained that: The added ability to provide us with historic data regarding the presence of CO is a fantastic benefit, helping us to take the right action when ensuring the safety of our tenants AudioLINK is also a godsend for Landlords, as it provides all the evidence necessary for the maintenance of a complete record that private Landlords need to retain by law. Aico's forward-thinking philosophy has resulted in a comprehensive fire alarm protection system that is completely wireless; RadioLINK+ and AudioLINK have both been embraced by housing management, landlords and members of the public alike.

When Aico came out with their 3000 series, they also came with the Aico SmartLINK next-generation Radio Frequency Wireless Interconnection. Now their latest fire alarms, heat alarms, Carbon Monoxide alarms, and multi-sensor alarms can be interconnected wirelessly! They made it smarter, easier, and future-proof. They basically took their renowned RadioLINK+ technology and added a new range of functions and features to obtain the Aico SmartLINK RF wireless interconnection. In this article, we would like to introduce the SmartLINK technology from Aico - award-winning Radio Frequency (RF) Wireless Interconnection and Data Monitoring technology: About the technology, Aico on SmartLINK gateway, house coding the alarm system, and the SmartLINK gateway.About the Aico SmartLINK RF Wireless InterconnectionConstantly being at the forefront of the interconnection technology for the fire alarm system, Aico continues its development in this realm from RadioLINK to RadioLINK+ and now with Aico SmartLINK. This new SmartLINK technology provides the same proven wireless interconnection technology as RadioLINK and RadioLINK+. It uses Radio Frequency signals and is completely compatible with both existing systems. Here are its most interesting features:RF Signals - no more tricky cable runs to interconnect the alarms, for the Aico SmartLINK RF Wireless Interconnection is cable-free!Wireless Interconnection: when one of the alarms is triggered, all the others sound loud for everyone around the property to hear.Expandable System you can simply expand an existing system by easily adding in Aico SmartLINK technology. Remote Monitoring and Data Extraction: with Aico SmartLINK you can now achieve remote whole-system data monitoring and extraction even when access is not possible. Tip: add the Aico SmartLINK technology to your system simply by plugging in the Ei3000MRF SmartLINK module into any Aico 3000 Series alarm head. Buy the Aico SmartLINK moduleAico on SmartLINK GatewayHere's what Aico has to say on their SmartLINK Gateway:"Aico has launched the SmartLINK Gateway to provide a groundbreaking solution for Registered Social Landlords to have access to real time data insight into the status of the Smoke, Heat and Carbon Monoxide alarm systems across their entire housing stock. Using its built-in GSM data connection, the Ei1000G utilises Aico’s next generation of wireless technology to report events including Fire/CO activations and alarm head removals as they happen to the SmartLINK cloud portal, for full visibility and remote monitoring. The Ei1000G SmartLINK Gateway aims to improve efficiency, reduce costs, aid with forecasting and compliance and enable smart asset management. The SmartLINK Gateway will revolutionise the way in which alarm systems are managed, paving the way to a solution-focused approach to asset management."Watch the full video via, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4vRXcQhNzpcAico SmartLINK RF Wireless Interconnection - House Coding the Alarm SystemIf you want to make sure that all alarms in your system sound when one of them is triggered, they must be interconnected; this means they must be house-coded together. When they are house-coded in this way, the alarms will learn each other as a system, and they will ensure a secure interconnection, having no cross-signals with any neighbouring systems. Aico made House Coding very simple to reduce time at installation; at the same time, it is secure and reliable. Visit this link to learn How to set up a SmartLINK, RadioLINK+ and RadioLINK interconnected system (House Coding). If you want to expand a system with extra alarms in the 3000 range from Aico so that you get increased coverage, this is very easy. With Remote House Coding you eliminate the disruption of running new cables to interconnect the fire alarms and you also save time at installation. It is now easy to add alarms to an existing system with Aico House Coding. Buy the Aico SmartLINK GatewayThe SmartLINK Gateway - Real-Time Notifications, Alarms, and EventsThe Aico Ei1000G SmartLINK Gateway enables real-time configurable notifications of alarm activations and events. When you install the Gateway and portal system, you have full visibility of your connected SmartLINK system. The Gateway and Cloud portal use Aico’s SmartLINK technology to bring together data from all SmartLINK-enabled alarms in a property in a simple, online dashboard format – so viewing and managing them is easier and more effective. Connected devices’ events are processed by the Gateway as they occur and cover events such as:Fire AlarmCO level detected (High, Medium, Low)Button TestMains Absent FaultHead OKHead RemovedEnd of lifeNote: Reportable events are model-dependent.Full details about the Aico SmartLINK technology can be found on their dedicated page, and you can purchase the Aico 3000 series on our website here. Plus, the Ei3000MRF SmartLINK module is here. 

Tech bloggers are going crazy over the Hue automated lightbulbs, which are Philips' foray into the home automation game. Which is all well and good, but what is home automation, anyway? What is Home Automation?  Have you ever wished you lived in the future? Of course you have. Home automation is one way to bring the future a little bit closer, by having your house do all the little jobs for you, like closing the curtains or turning up the heat. Usually, this means programming a wall panel to automate appliances like the lighting and heating, but it can also mean installing motion sensors so you don't even have to press a switch to turn on the lights, heating or any other appliances! We've actually been talking about it on the blog recently, and found that some of this sci-fi technology is within our reach! Turn On the Lights and Heat It feels like just last week we talked about the Lutron Grafik Eye QS lighting control system, but it was actually the week before that. This is a system that controls the lights in certain rooms or parts of a room at user-specified times of day. It can also control the natural light by opening or closing the proprietary window shades. There's also the Green-I system, which incorporates occupancy sensors that turn on the lights only when a room is occupied. It's convenient and eco-conscious! But what about when you don't need more light but more heat? The DEVIreg Touch has you covered: paired with an underfloor heating system, the heat can be programmed to turn on just when it's needed - or you can tell it to warm up while you're still on the commute with the DEVIreg iPhone app. Stay Safe Not only that, but home security can also be controlled from a smartphone. The Digiview 4i system can connect with a smartphone with a 3G connection - so you can keep an eye on your home from a completely different location. Similarly, the Infinite Prime wireless intruder alarm system can be activated or deactivated by a connected smartphone - or it can be programmed to call another number (999, for example) with the optional GSM module. The home of the future is within our grasp! But we think we can go even further. For advanced systems like a theme tune that greets you at the door or a "party button," (we really like the party button) Lifehacker has a great primer on DIY home automation for the imaginative tech whiz.Are you looking forward to living in the future? Will you be automating your home as soon as you can? Let us know your plans in the comments!Smart Home Alarms at Sparks

Research shows that early detection of fire significantly reduces the chance of injury or death: the sooner you hear the warning, the more time you have to evacuate. An interconnected system of several fire alarms can help detect the signs of fire as early as possible. But that can mean hardwiring the whole system, and for many people, the hassle of tearing apart walls, ceilings, and carpets is simply too much. Aico's RadioLINK-enabled devices use radio frequencies to communicate with each other, so the system can be interlinked without the need to run cables through your home. It's a low-hassle and non-disruptive way to create an interconnected fire alarm system in your home. Using this range of devices it is much easier to construct a Grade D system in your home in accordance with standards set out in BS 5839-6, 2004. And, as a bonus, the whole system is low-cost! Connecting a remote panel makes the system an addressable one that can help to quickly locate the source of a fire. Simply pressing a button will silence all the alarms in the system except that which was first triggered. This is particularly useful in larger houses.Robust House Coding System - RadioLINKThese devices make use of a robust house-coding system, so your alarms will never be set off by your next-door neighbor's detectors. Every RadioLINK base unit comes pre-programmed with a unique code that takes just a few minutes to enter onto your new system. The RadioLINK system is incredibly resilient against radio interference from security systems, car alarms, 3G and Wi-Fi signals, and possibly even Jeff Goldblum's magic laptop (although we haven't had the chance to test that one). With a range of accessories, you can also wirelessly connect the system to an auto-dialler, an external warden station or an alarm system for the deaf, among others. Ideal for setting up an advanced fire alarm system in your home whether you live in a three-storey mansion in Shropshire or a shoebox flat in King's Cross, the RadioLINK-enabled fire alarms available in our showroom (or from our online store) are simple, effective and affordable.Smart Fire Alarms for Home