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Electrical
Do I need a smoke alarm and a heat detector?
Anonymous user 7 January 2014 - 3.03 PM
Hello, I am being told it is 'standard' and 'legal' to have to have both a smoke alarm and a heat detector. I already have a smoke alarm in the hall (I live in a small 2 bedroom flat) and do not understand why I would need both? The person on the phone seems to think they will be installed next to each other or wired together, which seems a bit pointless. There is a wall between my hall and kitchen and they assure me that it will be a simple job and they won't be going through any walls. I am really hoping I can avoid any more ugly boxed in external wiring and possibly having my lights further hacked up. Do I really have to have both? Thanks
5 answers from MyBuilder tradespeople
For new build properties, the regulations require a heat detector in the kitchen. This is normally interlinked with the smoke detectors in the hall and landing, but for older properties it's only a recommendation and is not an absolute legal requirement! So its perfectly reasonable to say no thank you. If it's not your own flat, then it's up to the Landlord or Housing Association etc if a heat detector is fitted, so you would not be able to refuse if they have requested one to be fitted.
Answered
7 January 2014
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Hi You can fit one of the detectors (smoke) in the hall and the other in the kitchen one has to be wired but can be feed from a light fitting and the other is ideally radio linked to the wired sensor so no trunking needed usually. I hope this helped Alan
Answered
7 January 2014
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It is possible to obtain combi heat/smoke detectors. You would put a heat detector in a kitchen so it won't react to toasters etc but again this can be overcome with an ionisation smoke alarm.
Answered
7 January 2014
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The type and class of fire alarm system is dependent on the building use. You have not specified who has told you that a heat detector is required and this information will enable me to answer you more fully. As a rule of thumb, heat detectors are used in high risk areas such as the kitchen and living room with smoke detectors being used in the escape routes.
Answered
7 January 2014
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All houses including older ones should have some fire detection, usually a heat in the kitchen and a smoke alarm on each escape route/ floor. It is only a legal requirement if you have work done which requires building control approval. Unless you live in a flat, like you say the flat should have its own smoke alarms plus a detector inside the main door coupled to a category L (usually L2) Proper system as specified by the designer that I assure you knows more about it than you may think to protect the escape routes for other occupants/ flats of the same building this is a legal requirement under the regulatory reform order 2005
Answered
10 January 2014
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