Mains Operated Smoke Alarm

Kimberley

I hate them. In my last property we had the type that ran by the Electric with Battery backup and they were always going off when the Cooker or Toaster was used even though there was not a hint of burning. Now after an Electric test in my new property they say I will need two Electric ones fitted and I pleaded with them to give me the type that just runs of Battery but no I have to have the ones that are connected to the Mains I even tried to turn the power to them off when using the Cooker and Toaster by the fuse box but they still went off and it drove me mad.

My question is why do they go off everytime the Cooker or Toaster is used and how to stop them if I get the same problem?

spakkker

I don't understand why you have to have them ? Smoke alarms aren't compulsory are they ?
We have 4 battery ones which don't keep going off unless tested.

Darksun

We had the same problem in our old flat, it was a small 1 bed and the smoke detector was in the kitchen only a couple of meters away from the cooker, whenever we cooked anything, even with the extract on full a small amount of steam from something cooking would trigger it off.

Eventually we discovered that the battery backup was removable. so we took that out and switched it off at the fusebox whenever we cooked.

If this is not an option then I suppose you could argue with the landlord to get the detector moved or changed, clearly if it has too many false alarms then it's not fit for purpose and could be dangerous.

T_T_2

spakkker wrote: »

I don't understand why you have to have them ? Smoke alarms aren't compulsory are they ?
We have 4 battery ones which don't keep going off unless tested.

That depends on the type of property. If it is a rented residential property then they are legally required. If it is a property that forms part of a shared complex (i.e. flats/apartments) then they are required.

aliEnRIK

I used to have one, but the unit failed and decided to go off at around 3 in the morning. So after waking myself and the neighbours either side (And with panic thinking there may actually be a fire), I had to rush around to find my ladders just to reach the thing (I have 'very' tall ceilings). Never bothered since that night/morning

Kimberley

Spakkker

I live in a rented property with a Housing Association and the Electrician said Landlords are required by Law to install them in all their properties.

Darksun

If the same things happen i'll see if I can do the same thing

I live in a large first floor Maisonette with a couple living downstairs and i'm worried that if these new ones go off it will annoy them.

celler

Just buy the mains ones and wire them with a plug on instead of directly into mains.Then turn the plug off if theres a problem(TURN THEM BACK ON AFTER) better than nothing at least.If there battery backed up type they will still go off though.

To be honest if there placed well(with mind to where cooking steam etc will go, they shouldnt be that much of a problem).Also feel your neighbours would rather cope with a little noise than a fire.

Remember seeing the mrs clubbing are old ones with a broom handle (wooden thankfully)to shut them up.:(

Kimberley

I didn't know you could wire a plug to them instead but i'd probably unwire it after they leave anyway and install the basic battery powered ones instead.

asbokid

Could you cover it clingfilm to prevent activation?

I have been using the same technique with tinfoil.

Up until recently, I suffered relentless harassment from the CIA.
They were triying to smoke me out with their (illegal) mind control technology.

Richie-from-the-Boro

Kimberley wrote: »

I didn't know you could wire a plug to them instead but i'd probably unwire it after they leave anyway and install the basic battery powered ones instead.

You should perhaps read your T&C's and your contract and how doing anything other than specified invalidates you tenancy and any insurance policy's you may have with both the HA and private insurers.

You will have a ' named ' individual within the HA who looks after your surname, a better idea would be to run your unhappiness and your intentions past the landlord.

BTW - that's a money saving idea, it could cost~a~lot if you de-wire against policy

cit_k

Since when is it a legal requirement for smoke alarms to be fitted to residential rented property?
Got a link to this?