This article will provide you with essential information about the reason smoke and heat alarms are provided with your Solar PV installation.
- Why have I been given a smoke alarm and a heat alarm?
- Do the alarms need to be connected to the electrical system?
- Where do these need to be placed?
- Does living in Scotland affect the requirements?
- What features make these alarms suitable?
- What should I do if my alarm is beeping?
There is a new legislation that says that if electrical equipment is being installed in your loft (an area that is not frequently visited) then a smoke alarm should be fitted. This is the same as having smoke alarms on the other floors in your house.
Do the alarms need to be connected to the electrical system?
We supply smoke alarms that are radio-linked. They can be installed just like the smoke alarms you would install yourself.
Where do these need to be placed?
We recommend that the heat alarm be placed in the loft close to the inverter. The smoke alarm should go on the floor underneath that and the final smoke alarm (if applicable) on the ground floor.
Does living in Scotland affect the requirements?
In February 2022, a new law was introduced stating that all alarms must be powered either by the mains electricity circuit or by a sealed battery that lasts for the entire lifespan of the alarm. The smoke alarms we provide comply with this legislation, as they have tamper-proof batteries that last for the full duration of the alarm's life.
What features make these alarms suitable?
The smoke alarms and heat alarms we provide are designed to be installed throughout your home, making them ideal for various areas. The smoke alarm is recommended for living rooms, bedrooms, hallways, landings, and near the kitchen (but not inside it). It is certified to meet the standards of BS EN 14604: 2005. On the other hand, the heat alarm is suitable for kitchens, garages, and unconverted loft spaces. It is certified to meet the standards of BS 5446-2.
If one alarm detects smoke or fire, all alarms in the system are designed to be triggered. Additionally, the alarms are CE-marked, certified, and Kitemarked.
What should I do if my alarm is beeping?
If an alarm is going into full activation mode without obvious signs of smoke then there is contamination within the detection chamber. A single chirp at regular intervals indicates the alarm has either a low battery or an internal fault.
To resolve this issue you can try any or all of the three steps listed below.
- Use a vacuum cleaner with an upholstery attachment.
- Use a hair dryer on the cold setting.
- Use a tin of compressed air to dislodge dust.
When using any of the suggestions above, please go thoroughly around all the inlet vents. If contamination is still there then the alarm will continue to activate. Another possible cause for false alarms is the atmosphere in which the alarm is positioned. If it is draughty or prone to temperature changes this can also cause the alarm to activate.
If this doesn’t work, please send over pictures of the front and back of your alarm, showing the batch number/expiry date. From this, we will set up an exchange for you.