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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.Â
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.
Mains Radio-Interlinked Combined Smoke and Heat Alarm with Self-Charging 10 Year Back-up Battery - Aico Ei3024RF
- Power: 230V mains powered with back-up battery
- Backup Battery: Self-charging battery
- Warranty: 5 year warranty
- Combined alarm: both an optical smoke, and heat sensor
- Hybrid interlinking with up to 12 compatible devices
- AudioLINK - extract real time data to your smart phone
- Kitemarked to BS EN 14604: 2005 (smoke)
- Kitemarked to BS 5446-2: 2003 (heat)
- Also suitable for both the Welsh and Scottish 2022 legislation
Mains Powered Smoke & Heat Alarm with Rechargeable Lithium Battery Backup - Hispec RF10-PRO
- Power: 230V mains powered with lithium back-up battery
- Back-up Battery: Rechargeable lithium battery
- Warranty: 5 year manufacturer's warranty
- Multi-sensor alarm containing both a smoke and heat sensor
- Radio-interlink up to 20 compatible alarms
- Kitemarked to BS EN 14604: 2005 (smoke)
- Kitemarked to BS 5446-2: 2003 (heat)
- Also suitable for both the Welsh and Scottish 2022 legislation
10 Year Sealed Battery 2 Smoke Alarms & 1 Heat Alarm Kit - UltraFire ULL10
- FREE delivery
- Battery: 10 year sealed lithium battery
- Warranty: 10 year manufacturer's warranty
- Large combined test and silence button
- 2 x optical smoke alarms and 1 x heat alarm included
- Suitable for BS 5839-6: 2019 Grade F1 installations
10 Year Sealed Battery 3 Smoke Alarms & 1 Heat Alarm Kit - UltraFire ULL10
- FREE delivery
- Battery: 10 year sealed lithium battery
- Warranty: 10 year manufacturer's warranty
- Large combined test and silence button
- 3 x optical smoke alarms and 1 x heat alarm included
- Suitable for BS 5839-6: 2019 Grade F1 installations
10 Year Longlife Battery Optical Smoke Alarm Twin Pack - 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
- 2 x KE10Y29 smoke alarms
- Suitable for BS 5839-6: 2019 (Grade F1 installations)
- Kitemarked to BS EN 14604: 2005
Battery Optical Smoke Alarm - UltraFire UBS1 Twin Pack
- Battery: 9V alkaline battery (included)
- Warranty: 10 year warranty
- Large test and hush button
- High performance optical sensor
- 2 x optical smoke alarms included
- Suitable for BS 5839-6: 2019 Grade F2 installations
- Certified to BS EN 14604: 2005
Radio-Interlinked 10 Year Sealed Battery Optical Smoke Alarm - UltraFire ULLS10RF
Supporting wireless interlink with up to 15 total alarms to cover the whole house, the UltraFire ULLS10RF optical smoke alarm features a sealed 10 year battery and 10 year manufacturer's warranty.
- Battery: 10 year sealed lithium battery
- Warranty: 10 year manufacturer's warranty
- Optical smoke sensor suitable for hallways, landings, living rooms, and bedrooms
- Wireless interlink up to 15 total alarms
Radio-Interlinked 10 Year Sealed Battery 2 Smoke Alarms & 1 Heat Alarm Kit - UltraFire ULL10RF
- FREE delivery
- Battery: 10 year sealed lithium battey
- Warranty: 10 year manufacturer's warranty
- Wirelessly interlink up to 15 UltraFire ULL10RF devices
- 2 x optical smoke alarms and 1 x heat alarm included
- Suitable for BS 5839-6: 2019 Grade F1 installations
- Compliant with Scottish 2022 and Northern Ireland Landlord 2024 legislation
Radio-Interlink Sealed Battery 3 Smoke and 1 Heat Alarm Kit - Firehawk W Series
- Detector Battery: 10 year sealed lithium battery
- Wireless Base Battery: 7 Year Sealed Lithium
- Warranty: 7 year manufacturer's warranty
- Easy expansion – Interlink up to 15 alarms
- Also suitable for the 2022 Scottish legislation
Radio-Interlinked 10 Year Sealed Battery 3 Smoke Alarms and 1 Heat Alarm Kit - UltraFire ULL10RF Series
- FREE delivery
- Battery: 10 year sealed lithium battey
- Warranty: 10 year manufacturer's warranty
- Wirelessly interlink up to 15 Ultrafire ULL10RF devices
- 3 x optical smoke alarms and 1 x heat alarm included
- Suitable for BS 5839-6: 2019 Grade F1 installations
- Compliant with Scottish 2022 and Northern Ireland Landlord 2024 legislation
Radio-Interlink Sealed Battery 3 Smoke, 1 Heat Alarm and CO Alarm Kit - Firehawk W Series
- Detector Battery: 10 year sealed lithium battery
- Wireless Base Battery: 7 year sealed lithium
- Warranty: 7 year manufacturer's warranty
- Easy expansion – Interlink up to 15 alarms
- Also suitable for the 2022 Scottish legislation
Mains Optical Smoke Alarm with Sealed Self-Charging Lithium Battery Backup - Firehawk FHN250RB
- Power: 230V mains powered with back-up battery
- Back-up Battery: sealed self-charging lithium battery
- Warranty: 10 year warranty
- Interlinks with up to 12 Firehawk FHN series alarms
- Combined test and silence button
- Fast-Fix bases for easy installations
- Suitable for BS 5839-6: 2019 Grade D1
- Kitemarked to BS EN 14604: 2005
- Also suitable for both the Welsh and Scottish 2022 legislation
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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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