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Optical Smoke Alarms
Optical smoke alarms, also known as photoelectric smoke alarms, work by ‘seeing’ the smoke and providing an audible alarm. Ideal for use at home in landings, hallways, bedrooms and living rooms, they have a quick response to visibly smouldering fires. This quick response and early alert gives you more time to escape from your home if a fire breaks out. Because of their advanced technology, optical smoke alarms are sometimes known as 'toast-proof alarms' as they are not prone to false alarms caused by fumes and steam from cooking. This makes them suitable for use in a hallway near a kitchen where false alarms from burnt toast may be common.
In the past, ionisation smoke alarms were recommended for homes. This technology has now been phased out in the UK, and optical smoke detectors are highly recommended as their replacement. This means that locations such as landings and hallways which previously had an ionisation alarm fitted, can now be fitted with an optical smoke alarm.
10 Year Longlife Battery Optical Smoke Alarm - Kidde 10Y29
- FREE delivery
- Battery: Built-in, lasts the lifetime of your alarm - GUARANTEED
- Warranty: 10 year warranty
- Features test and hush buttons
- Low Volume Test feature
- Suitable for BS 5839-6: 2019 (Grade F1 installations)
- Kitemarked to BS EN 14604: 2005
Battery Optical Smoke Alarm - UltraFire UBS1
- Battery: 9V alkaline battery (included)
- Warranty: 10 year warranty
- Large test and hush button
- High performance optical sensor
- Suitable for BS 5839-6: 2019 Grade F2 installations
- Certified to BS EN 14604: 2005
Battery Optical Smoke Alarm - Kidde 29HD
- Battery: 9V alkaline battery (included)
- Warranty: 5 year warranty
- Features test and hush buttons
- Sleek and compact design
- Suitable for BS 5839-6: 2019 Grade F2 installations
- Certified to BS EN 14604: 2005
Battery Optical Smoke Alarm - Kidde 2030-DSR
The Kidde 2030-DSR optical smoke alarm is easy to use and great value, with a low-profile, unobtrusive design. Automatic low battery and end of life warnings which can be silenced for 24 hours.
- Battery: 9 Volt carbon zinc battery (included)
- Warranty: 3 years (product life up to 10 years)
- Optical smoke sensor reduces nuisance alarms
- Simple test & hush button plus LED status indicator
- CE marked and certified to EN 14604: 2005
Battery Operated Smoke Alarm - Kidde 2030-DSR Twin Pack
The Kidde 2030-DSR optical smoke alarm is easy to use and great value, with a low-profile, unobtrusive design. Automatic low battery and end of life warnings which can be silenced for 24 hours.
- Optical smoke alarm twin pack
- Battery: 9 Volt battery (included)
- Warranty: 3 years (product life up to 10 years)
- LED status indicator with a simple test and hush button
- CE marked and certified to EN 14604: 2005
Optical Smoke Alarm with Replaceable 5 Year Alkaline Batteries – FireAngel FA6615-R
- Battery: 2 x AA 5 year replaceable batteries
- Warranty: 5 year warranty
- Suitable for leisure accommodation vehicles
- Reduced volume test function
- Suitable for BS 5839-6: 2019 (Grade F2 installations)
- Certified to BS EN 14604: 2005
Combination Carbon Monoxide and Smoke Alarm - Kidde K10SCO
- Product Life: 10 years
- Battery: 2 x AA alkaline battery powered (included)
- Warranty: 10 year warranty
- Combined optical smoke and carbon monoxide detector
- Ideal for hallways, bedrooms, and living rooms
- Voice alarm and sounder: different warning messages for smoke and CO
- Certified to BS EN 14604: 2005 (smoke alarm)
- Certified to BS EN 50291-1: 2018 (CO alarm for domestic use)
Battery Smoke Alarms and Heat Alarm Home Essentials Kit - UltraFire UFUB1KIT
- FREE delivery
- Battery: Alkaline batteries (included)
- Warranty: 10 year warranty
- Large test and hush button
- 2 x optical smoke alarms and 1 x heat alarm included
- Suitable for BS 5839-6: 2019 Grade F2 installations
- CE marked
Kidde 29HD Optical Smoke Alarm & K5CO Carbon Monoxide Detector Special Offer
- FREE delivery
- Battery powered optical smoke alarm
- Certified to BS EN 14604: 2005
- Battery powered carbon monoxide detector
- Kitemarked and CE marked
Radio-Interlinked Battery Powered Optical Smoke Alarm - UltraFire UBS1RF
- Battery: AA alkaline batteries (included)
- Warranty: 10 year warranty
- Large test and hush button
- Toast-proof sensor
- Wireless interlink up to 50 compatible alarms
- No central control panel needed
- Suitable for BS 5839-6: 2019 Grade F2 installations
- Certified to BS EN 14604: 2005
Radio-Interlinked Smoke Alarms and Heat Alarm Home Essentials Kit - UltraFire UFUB1RFKIT
- Battery powered with AA alkaline batteries
- Warranty: 10 year warranty
- Large test & hush button
- Wirelessly interlink up to 50 UltraFire UB1RF series alarms
- 2 x optical smoke alarms and 1 x heat alarm included
- Suitable for BS 5839-6: 2019 Grade F2 installations
10 Year Thermally Enhanced Optical Smoke Alarm (Thermoptek) - FireAngel ST-622
- Battery: Built-in, lasts the lifetime of your alarm
- Warranty: 5 year warranty
- Combined smoke and heat alarm (Thermoptek)
- Test, hush and Sleep Easy™ feature
- Optical sensor less prone to false alarms
- Suitable for BS 5839-6: 2019 (Grade F1 installations)
- Kitemarked to BS EN 14604:2005
Thermally Enhanced Optical Smoke Alarm (Thermoptek) - ST622 Twin Pack
- Battery: Built-in, lasts the lifetime of your alarm
- Warranty: 5 year warranty
- 2 x optical smoke alarms included
- Test, hush and Sleep Easy™ feature
- Thermoptek sensor less prone to false alarms
- Suitable for BS 5839-6: 2019 (Grade F1 installations)
- Kitemarked to BS EN 14604:2005
Battery Optical Smoke Alarm - FireAngel SB1-R
- Battery: 9V alkaline battery (included)
- Warranty: 5 year warranty
- Test and hush feature
- Ideal for areas adjacent to the kitchen
- Optical smoke sensor technology
- Suitable for BS 5839-6: 2019 Grade F2 installations
- Certified to BS EN 14604: 2005
Battery Optical Smoke Alarm - FireAngel SB1-TPR Twin Pack
- Battery: 9V battery powered (included)
- Warranty: 5 year warranty
- Smoke alarm twin pack
- Test and hush feature
- Ideal for areas adjacent to kitchens
- Suitable for BS 5839-6: 2019 Grade F2 installations
- Certified to BS EN 14604: 2005
10 Year Longlife Battery Optical Smoke Alarm - UltraFire ULLS10
Powered by a 10 year sealed lithium battery and featuring an optical smoke sensor specially designed to maximise smoke detection and minimise false alarms, this alarm provides top-class standalone protection.
- Battery: 10 year sealed lithium battery
- Warranty: 10 year manufacturer's warranty
- Optical smoke sensor suitable for hallways, landings, living rooms, and bedrooms
10 Year Longlife Battery Optical Smoke Alarm - FireAngel FA6620-R
- Battery: 10 year sealed lithium battery
- Warranty: 5 year warranty
- Suitable for leisure accommodation vehicles
- Compliant to BS 5839-6: 2019 (Grade F1 installations)
- Certified to BS EN 14604: 2005
10 Year Longlife Battery Optical Smoke Alarm - Ei650
- Battery: Built-in lithium battery
- Warranty: 5 year warranty
- Test and hush buttons
- Battery 'low' warning
- LED power and function indicator
- Suitable for BS 5839-6: 2019 Grade F1 installations
- Certified to EN 14604: 2005
10 Year Longlife Battery Combination Optical Smoke and CO Alarm - FireAngel SCB10-R
- Product Lifespan: 10 years
- Battery: Built-in, lasts the life time of your product
- Warranty: 5 year warranty
- Combined optical smoke and carbon monoxide detector
- Ideal for hallways, bedrooms and living areas
- Sleep Easy™ function
- Kitemarked to EN 14604: 2005 (smoke detection)
- Kitemarked to EN 50291-1 (carbon monoxide detection)
- Suitable for ceiling installation
Kidde 10Y29 Optical Smoke Alarm & K10LLCO Carbon Monoxide Detector Special Offer
- FREE delivery
- 10 year battery powered optical smoke alarm
- Certified to BS EN 14604: 2005
- 10 year battery powered carbon monoxide detector
- Kitemarked and CE marked
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What is an Optical Smoke Detector?
Optical smoke alarms, also known as photo-electric smoke alarms, are the most common type of sensor seen in households. This sensor type is suitable for rooms such as living rooms, bedrooms, and hallways. These are considerably safer than the previous sensor type, ionisation, as they do not contain any radioactive material. The advanced optical smoke sensor, means that they are less prone to false alarms caused by cooking fumes and steam, making them suitable for being installed near, but never in kitchens or bathrooms.
How do they work?
Optical smoke alarms work by 'seeing' smoke produced by slow smouldering fires, often a result of soft furnishings burning. The alarm works by using the light scatter principle, this is where a pulsating infrared LED operates within the alarm sensor, pulsing every 10 seconds to check for smoke particles. Once smoke particles are detected within the optical chamber, it activates the sounder alerting occupants to the fire. For further visual information on how optical smoke alarms work, please see our handy guide page.
Where Should I fit an Optical Smoke Alarm?
Optical smoke alarms are best situated in rooms where soft furnishings are, such as bedrooms, living rooms, hallways, and landings. Within these rooms, it is recommended by the manufacturer that the alarm is installed on the ceiling, however there are exceptions where smoke alarms can be installed on the wall. The best installation locations are specified in the user manual supplied with any alarm.
How to change the battery in an optical smoke alarm
Changing the battery in an optical smoke alarm all depends on how the alarm is powered. Some optical smoke alarms are powered by a sealed lithium battery and do not require to be changed for the entirety of their 10-year lifespan. After the 10-years, it is strongly recommended that the alarm is replaced in full, as the sensor deteriorates over time, making it less effective in detecting a fire and more likely to false alarm due to contamination.
Other optical smoke alarms are powered by a replaceable alkaline batteries, which through typical use, should be replaced every one to two years. For most of these types of replaceable batteries, the battery compartment can be found on the back of the alarm when removed from the base plate. When replacing a battery, it is key to remember that the replacement battery is one recommended by the manufacturer. Use of batteries which are not recommended, could result in the alarm not functioning as it should, or even fail to power the alarm at all.
The location of your alarm, or more specifically the temperature of the room, can affect the battery life in a smoke alarm. If the temperature is too cold, this affects the battery performance, and may reduce its efficiency.
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