Smoke alarm and new bulid?

GT60

Hi we have just had are extension built and the sparky says we HAVE to have smoke alarms wired to the mains installed.
To which i object as we already have 3 smoke alarms and do not need the extra cost.

Can i tell him not to install the extra smoke alarms as he is also putting the cable in trunking and sticking it to the wall. Dam ugly.

Niall

Mankysteve

Nope your required them it wont pass building reg otherwise. Did you not have this pointed out when the extension was designed. When my parent had an extension designed(never built) the alarm placement were designed so proper electrical runs could be made.

stef73

When we had our extension built all alarms had to be mains and linked . Are the 3 others linked ? . You can use radio bases to connect wirelessly between alarms if they are all same make.

GT60

The three we have are just battery ones but with lights and bloody expensive at the time we purchased them.
Thanks Niall

stef73

You might want to check with building regs officer about the battery ones before the electrician does any more work (as they might have to be linked) . Dont know why hes putting cable in trunking you can take a live feed off any light fitting and fix it to the ceiling

Owain_Moneysaver

I don't think battery alarms comply with new build regulations. The alarms must be mains powered, either on a dedicated circuit or with internal back up power, and interlinked.

Interlinked alarms have to be all on the same circuit, so you coudln't have some on the downstairs lighting circuit and some on the upstairs lighting circuit.

This is one aspect where existing buildings do have to be brought up to current standards.

baldelectrician

If you look at the plans that were passed they should mention smoke detectors and the relevant standard

The current standard for smoke detectors in dwellings is BS 5839 : Part 6
This generally means they have to be interlinked and within 3 m of a living room / bedroom and within 7m of a kitchen

It is also good practise to have a heat detector in the kitchen

With regard to the building regs point- I would have mentioned them before I started work and if you refused I would hve told you to seek the services of another electician. You can't blame the spark for doing his job well.

Do it right or not atall

GT60

Thank you for all your replys.
I am not blaming the sparky just objecting to extra smoke alarms.
He is also using truncking instead of putting the wire behind plaster.
( we have wall that needs plastering) but NO he put the wire in another bed room and puts it in trunking.
I have just shown it the OH she is not happy glad i am at work tomorrow)
Thanks again Niall

Mini_JK

Mains linked smoke detectors are much safer than battery ones, you can't put a price on your own safety. As others have said it's the Building Regs so will be shown clearly on your plans.

It's up to you to tell your sparky if you want the wires buried, obviously that will cost more. Putting the smoke alarm on a wall doesn't sound good practise to me, I'm no expert on them but when mine were installed they had to go on the ceilings in specific locations, the Building Inspector had to agree the location before it was signed off. Incidentally we decided to put in a couple more heat alarms at the same time (for the kitchen and utility), it cost a bit more but it's all about peace of mind.