HMOs and council approval of Wireless Fire Alarms – HELP!

HMOs and council approval of Wireless Fire Alarms – HELP!

14:30 PM, 30th October 2017, About 7 years ago 16

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I own an HMO in the London borough of Croydon where I have had no choice but install wireless, battery operated radio frequency interlinked fire alarms (specifically these are the AICO 10 year Lithium battery Ei600 series alarms, the only alarms on the market frequently accepted as an alternative to the mains wired systems). I have had to install these units, rather than use the mains wired ones, because the ceilings have very intricate Victorian plaster decorations and I didn’t want to destroy them.

I have since been told that these will not be approved by Croydon Council because they do not comply with the with standard of a mains wired system (British Standard 5839 part 6: 2013 Grade D: LD2 system).

Is there anyone out there who owns an HMO and HAS had these type of fire alarms approved by their local council? Any help/info would be MUCH appreciated!!

I read an old article on this subject and someone named Gary Dully replied stating he used the exactly the same alarms and these have been approved by the council – if you are reading this Gary any information (council name etc) would be extremely helpful!

Many thanks,

Antonio


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Gary Dully

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8:59 AM, 2nd November 2017, About 7 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Mike at 01/11/2017 - 18:29
It seems a lot of hassle, had they run out of yellow canaries at the pet shop?
They are about £16 each.
(For those younger landlords with a delicate constitution, no creatures were harmed whilst writing this comment)

Antonio Taylor

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9:01 AM, 2nd November 2017, About 7 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Mike at 01/11/2017 - 18:29
Yes, I know at lot of alarms get wired directly to the RCD / consumer unit; in fact thats what I have done in another one of my HMO's (I learnt the hard way!).

Smoke detectors do detect fires faster because they don't reply on heat build up, but then as you say you have the problem of alarms constantly going off in kitchens etc....looks like you have discovered a niche in the market, ever thought of marketing your own alarms Mike? 🙂

Thanks to all again.

Antonio

John Frances

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19:51 PM, 3rd November 2017, About 7 years ago

The system you have installed Antonio is Grade F, not grade D. The data sheet from Aico tells the installer that. I suspect the council will say no and you will need to upgrade to Grade D which will be mains wired to the nearest light (as long as there is a permanent live) but can still be radio linked with the appropriate radio link base (Aico do these as well)
In reference to smoke alarms being wired to an RCD, that wouldn't meet the relevant British Standard.

Antonio Taylor

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10:10 AM, 5th November 2017, About 7 years ago

Yes I am 99% sure you are right John. I am preparing myself for that answer when I call the council officer next week....it means I have wasted my money on the alarms I currently have installed. It was a big mistake I made, but thats life. I will attempt exactly what you suggest, so long as, as you say, there is a permanent live at each ceiling rose.

Again thanks to you all for all your comments.

Jireh Homes

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17:39 PM, 6th November 2017, About 7 years ago

In Scotland's PRS the requirement is for mains wired and interlinked alarms, being heat in kitchen and smoke in hall and "living" rooms. Current public consultation on extending these requirements to both social and private housing, but interestingly allowing long life interlinked battery alarms in recognition of technology developments.

Rob Crawford

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18:48 PM, 6th November 2017, About 7 years ago

Hi Antonio, you should be able to get a mains connection from a light circuit. You can then interlink wirelessly with radio linked connections. See the following: https://www.safelincs.co.uk/radio-interlinked-smoke-alarms/ just make sure you chose the higher category detectors, ideal with fixed lithium batteries.

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