Best way to install smoke alarm.

Phil4432

I know screwing into the ceiling or wall is best, but I tend to worry about hitting pipes or cables.  Did have the fire brigade come round and simply stick some Fireangel ST-750's to the ceiling, they had 3M strips on the bottom.  They've been fine.

Have a Fireangel HT-630R to install in kitchen, that didn't come with stickers on the base plate.  Would prefer to get some double sides pads and stick though.

Looking to get some Fireangel FA6620‑R's for all bedrooms.  Again, they do not come with sticky pads.

Thoughts appreciated.

MikeJXE

Pipes and cables are unlikely to be at plasterboard level as they are usually above joists 

grumbler

Phil4432 said:

... they had 3M strips on the bottom.  They've been fine.

Have a Fireangel HT-630R to install in kitchen, that didn't come with stickers on the base plate.  Would prefer to get some double sides pads and stick though.

Looking to get some Fireangel FA6620‑R's for all bedrooms.  Again, they do not come with sticky pads.

Thoughts appreciated.

Just buy a small roll of double-sided sticky foam tape. However, all these 'double sides' are only as good as the paint that they stick to - that often peels very easily.

flashg67

As above, you'd be unlucky to hit anything in a ceiling but command strips or similar are good (or any 'sticky fixers' will do but they do leave residue if you ever decide to move it)

pramsay13

As Mike says it is very unusual to find anything like that when adding small rawlplugs and screws, it is normally when doing major more invasive work.
If you're really worried about it just buy some sticky pads and use them, bearing in mind at some point they will probably fail and the detector will fall down. 
Another option would be getting a local handyman / odd job person to fit them for you.

oldernonethewiser

You can get sticky pads with magnets to hold the smoke alarm.  You can also get Velcro type pads.

I have used both and none have fallen down yet.

Phil4432

Thanks all.

What I may do is drill the alarms in the rooms that have burglar alarm sensors, use velcro or sticky pads for the rest.

That way, an alarm falling in the night will not cause the burglar alarm to go off.  The two alarms the fire brigade kindly installed, have stuck up there just fine.

secla

seems a slightly excessive amount of fire alarms. generally upstairs and downstairs hallways are the norm

Risteard

secla said:

seems a slightly excessive amount of fire alarms. generally upstairs and downstairs hallways are the norm

Perhaps in 1942. A Category LD3 system doesn't cut it anymore.

mexican_dave

@Risteard you have given us some technical information there. What's LD3? Please explain or give us a link to enable us all to understand your advice.

baser999

secla said:

seems a slightly excessive amount of fire alarms. generally upstairs and downstairs hallways are the norm

Agreed, not sure I’d fit any such alarm in the kitchen unless it’s a big space. Our nearest to the kitchen is about 10ft away at the foot of the stairs and has been known to go off if there’s a lot on the hob. Have learnt to shut the door or open windows