Smoke detectors change

Adly812

Hi all, so my Aico Ei141RC smoke detectors state they need replacing by jan 2019.would I need to replace them with similar style or could I buy a totally new brand and change over the entire base and top. As the part that says it needs replacement is the cap that you can take off . I noticed they are battery operated not mains, so am I correct in assuming I could unscrew the base and buy totally different ones ? Sorry if this is stupid..

Risteard

They are not battery-only. They are mains fed with a back-up battery, i.e. suitable for a Grade D system as per BS 5839-6:2013.

You cannot mix and match different brands of detectors. If you are replacing all devices then they could be a different make, but certainly not if it is only some of them.

That said, Aico (a subsidiary of Ei Electronics) is the market leader for domestic detection. All of their alarms are manufactured in Ireland in Shannon, Co. Clare. I would not advise going for a different brand simply because they are less expensive.

I would be a bit concerned that you are likely using ionisation alarms where they are unsuitable simply because they were cheaper. It is very likely that optical detectors would have been more appropriate for where they were sited. I would strongly advise that the installation complies with both BS 7671 and BS 5839-6.

Adly812

Thank you . I will purchase the similar ones needing replacement in this case

Risteard

Smb3088 wrote: »

Thank you . I will purchase the similar ones needing replacement in this case

As I pointed out, the existing type may well be inappropriate. Probably optical detectors are required (e.g. Ei146RC) and not the ionisation detectors you have. I would strongly recommend getting an Electrician to do this - one who is familiar with BS 5839-6:2013.

You can find an Aico Expert Installer at the following link: Aico (Ei Electronics) Expert Installer - this will get you a contractor trained in the correct selection and erection of their alarms.

southcoastrgi

Risteard wrote: »

As I pointed out, the existing type may well be inappropriate. Probably optical detectors are required (e.g. Ei146RC) and not the ionisation detectors you have. I would strongly recommend getting an Electrician to do this

I fail to see why they have to all be the same make as long as they are linked together, I also fail to see why without any information at all to their location why they should be optical ?

OP you have to remove the units from the base to change the battery so if you have done that then fitting a replacement is no different to sliding a new one onto the existing base, you could fit a optical one on the ground floor if you have experienced nuisance alarms while cooking or if it's in a kitchen then a heat alarm, but all three should fit on the same base

baldelectrician

southcoastrgi wrote: »

I fail to see why they have to all be the same make as long as they are linked together, I also fail to see why without any information at all to their location why they should be optical ?

Aico prohibit mixing of different smoke alarm makes and models, this can also be a fire issue as well as a lack of communication issue.
From here:
WARNING: Do not connect these Alarms to any other model
produced by another manufacturer. Doing so may damage the Alarms and could result in a shock or fire hazard.

Aico are one of the best on the market, as you have Aico bases (the new Aico detectors are compatible with the round bases from 15 years ago)

I would suggest the new 3000 series - mains with rechargable battery back up. The 3000 series come with an app that lets you download any info from the detectors in the event of an alarm activation.

https://www.aico.co.uk/3000series/

As stated before use and Aico Expert installer - these people have been trained by the manufacturer.

Risteard

southcoastrgi wrote: »

I fail to see why they have to all be the same make as long as they are linked together, I also fail to see why without any information at all to their location why they should be optical ?

This is because you are not competent to be commenting on these matters.

Along with the dangers baldelectrician has posted, there is also no guarantee that the interlink would function correctly if brands were mixed and matched. As he has stated, there is also a risk of damage to alarms and worse.

I didn't state that they must be optical - what I suggested was that without knowing where they are installed they almost certainly must be optical. Ionisation alarms are not the correct alarm for installation in most locations, and no property should have solely ionisation detectors. Photoelectric (optical) detectors are required in most locations, as well as heat detectors in other locations.

I would presume that this was intended to be a Grade D, Category LD3 system, with detectors in the hall and landing. In this case both must be optical detectors. A far better standard is Grade D, Category LD2. In Ireland and Scotland this is what is required. England is lagging behind by allowing LD3 systems to be installed.