Types of Smoke Alarm

Safelincs offer a wide range of smoke alarms and heat detectors from trusted brands. Choose from manufacturers such as Kidde, FireAngel, HiSPEC, UltraFire, Firehawk and Ei / Aico. Each alarm comes with a manufacturer’s warranty, is certified to the relevant British Standard, and is kitemarked / CE marked.

Ionisation Smoke Alarms

Ionisation smoke alarms use the oldest form of smoke detection and are very sensitive to smoke, especially to fast flaming fires such as burning paper. Ionisation smoke alarms are best installed on landings. Due to a small amount of radioactive material inside the detector, Ionisation alarms have now been discontinued by the manufacturers and are no longer available from Safelincs.

Optical Smoke Alarms

Optical smoke detectors are now the most common type of smoke alarm and are designed to 'see' smoke. They have a quick response rate to smouldering fires while being less sensitive to false alarms. Install optical smoke alarms near kitchens (not in kitchens), e.g. dining rooms and adjoining hallways, bedrooms, living rooms and landings where smouldering fires are more likely to occur.

Heat Alarms

Heat alarms are unlikely to false alarm, as they only measure the temperature in the room, not the smoke. They trigger an alarm only when a certain temperature is reached or when a very rapid rise in temperature is detected. Heat alarms are ideal for use in kitchens and garages as cooking fumes, steam and dust will not cause them to false alarm.

Wireless Smoke Detectors

Wireless smoke alarms are often also referred to as radio-interlinked smoke alarms. As stated in the name, 'wireless' smoke detectors require no wiring during installation. This type of alarm is radio-interlinked and battery powered so there is no need to connect it to the mains electricity supply. The main benefit of wireless, radio-interlinked smoke detectors is that they are easy to install and do not require an electrician. Purchasing radio-interlinked alarms will provide better protection for your home than standalone battery-powered alarms. This is because, if one smoke alarm detects a fire then all the smoke alarms in your home that are linked will sound. This gives residents the best and earliest chance of being alerted if a fire breaks out, and therefore the maximum time for escape. Longlife battery operated wireless smoke alarms mean that the user does not need to change the battery for the duration of the alarm life.

Our radio-interlinked smoke detectors are digitally coded which means that they are not affected by any other equipment or by a similar system being installed nearby. When the smoke alarm system is installed, a 'training-in' button is pressed on each smoke alarm which trains the alarms to recognise each other as a 'family'.

Wireless call points and other accessories can be installed and linked to the alarms, including compatible carbon monoxide alarms and deaf alerters.

Smoke Alarm Buying Guide

This is a short introduction to smoke and heat alarms classified in the British Standard BS5839 part 6 as Grade D and F. These smoke detectors are typically found in housing and small businesses/ organisations. For more detail help and advice please see our help guide.

In new built domestic properties and substantial extensions, Building Regulations will determine the standard applicable, usually Grade D.

Existing Buildings: Domestic, owner-occupied housing: BS5839 part 6 Grade F. Extensions of domestic, owner-occupied housing: BS5839 part 6 Grade D. Small businesses, church halls, many let properties: BS5839 part 6 Grade D with additional Manual Break Points in circulation spaces and sometimes additional Grade F smoke or heat alarms within let flats.

What do the different Grades mean?

Grade D: Mains-powered, interlinked smoke detectors and heat alarms. These are usually powered with a cable from the nearest light fitting. To create an interlink (all alarms go off at the same time in the case of a fire) they either require cable connection between the units or a radio-interlink connection. In businesses and larger let properties, these are often combined with manual break points.

With the appearance of ten year sealed smoke alarm units with radio-interlink, these are becoming more acceptable as an alternative to mains-powered, interlinked smoke alarms. Radio-interlinked manual break points with longlife batteries are also available. However, we still recommend you check with your Building Inspector (in case of extensions), Local Council (rented accommodation), Fire Service (business) to ensure these alternative alarms are acceptable.

Grade F: Battery operated, free standing smoke detectors and heat alarms. On their own they are mainly designed for domestic, owner-occupied housing. However, F Grade alarms with radio-interlink (especially when provided with 10 year sealed lithium batteries) can sometimes be installed as if they were Grade D. Again, we recommend that you check first with the relevant authority.

What's the Best Smoke Detector?

Choosing a smoke detector for your home is an important decision and you should consider which type if most suited to your property. If you live in Scotland, the smoke alarms you install have to meet the requirements of the 2022 Scottish legislation. If you live in England, Wales or Northern Ireland and do not rent your home out, you can choose which type of smoke alarm to fit.

The best smoke alarms for your home will depend upon:

• the size of your property
• who lives there
• what fire risks there are
• how many floors you have

The National Fire Chief’s Council (NFCC) advise at least one working smoke alarm on every floor and a heat alarm in the kitchen.

The Best Smoke Alarms for Living Areas and Hallways

Optical smoke alarms are recommended for living areas, bedrooms and landings or hallways. The following types of smoke alarms all use optical sensors:

• Battery operated smoke alarms are easy to fit as they require no wiring. The most common type of battery smoke alarm uses an optical sensor. The cheapest alarms usually require the user to change the batteries periodically. Longlife battery smoke alarms are also available and use lithium batteries that last for the duration of the alarm’s lifespan.
• Radio-interlinked alarms are usually battery operated with the added benefit of being linked together. Radio-interlinked smoke alarms are advised for the best possible protection because if one detects a fire, it will signal to all the other alarms to sound. This gives the occupants the best chance of being alerted to a fire, wherever they are in the home. It also therefore gives them the maximum time to escape. This is particularly important in homes with more vulnerable individuals such as babies and young children, the elderly or anyone with an impairment that would make it more difficult for them to escape.
• Mains-powered alarms require an electrician to install them and are usually installed in new-builds as specified in Building Regulations Approved Document B. Mains-powered alarms can be interlinked.

The Best Smoke Alarms for Kitchens and Garages

Heat alarms are best suited to kitchens and garages. They work differently to smoke alarms as they detect a sudden rise in temperature rather than smoke particles. This makes them ideal for use in dusty areas or areas where there are cooking fumes as there is less chance of a false alarm.