How can i attach a smoke alarm?

wazza2004

In the past i drilled holes and screwed the smoke alarm units to the ceiling. Had fire brigade install a couple long time ago. They used a paste from a tube similar to a silicon sealant in an applicator.

I plan to replace all the smoke alarms in the house. They are over 15 years old and probably passed it. I am hoping to find similar units so i can use the same fixing holes. If unlucky can I glue the unit in place like the fire brigade did? What type of paste shall i use?

BTW any good offers on smoke alarms?

Silver-Surfer_2

Pop into your local fire station. If they have any they'll give you a couple of replacements.

crackhouse

yeah fire departments are the places to go for free fire alarms. But also think, just drills and a screwdriver and plugs is all you need to ut a fire alarm up. The alarm itslef will have al these, just drill some holes!

Jonesya

Personally I'd use screws as they're a more permanent fixing. I take it you're buying battery powered units? Depending on how much you're willing to pay, you can get ones with wireless linking, so like on a wired system, so a fire sets them all off.

You might want to think about the type of smoke alarm you buy - optical or ionising, or a combined one.

http://www.fireservice.co.uk/safety/smoke-alarms

cyclonebri1

If you do go for an adhesive this is the best I used, you could stick yourself to the roof with this let alone a couple of alarms.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CT1-CT-1-ADHESIVE-SEALANT-SILICONE-CONSTRUCTION-BOND-SEALING-REPAIR-BLACK-CLEAR-/131854562334?var=&hash=item1eb324f41e:m:mc7UgwU8RIsfODlv2J3AT8w

wazza2004

Thanks for the replies

Risteard

Presumably it was an intumescent mastic or something that the fire brigade used.

wazza2004

Did not take note of what they used

27col

If you are going to install the unit into a plaster-boarded ceiling. You will not need a drill. The board can easily be pierced by a screwdriver and the unit fixed with an expanding plaster-board plug. If you are going into a joist, then a bradawl will make a hole to start the screw into.