Author Topic: Smoke alarms (Read 32747 times)

Andy Cole · « **on:** August 26, 2005, 10:02:07 PM »

I should almost certainly already know this but I can still hide under the 'new boy' tag! someone may well be able to give me an answer to this one
What is the best way to test a Smoke alarm when installing it (or at any other time for that matter!) by pressing the 'test' button are you not just checking the function of the battery?

Graeme · « **Reply #1 on:** August 26, 2005, 10:11:15 PM »

pressing the button checks the electronics,sounder and interconnection if relevant.
Some manufacturers say it's not strictly necessary to test with smoke.

colin todd · « **Reply #2 on:** August 26, 2005, 11:32:55 PM »

BS 5839-6 is quite clear on this point. if the system is installed by a professional installer (ie not the landlord or householder), on installation it has to be a functional test. use of the test button alone is not sufficient and you should not issue a cert unless you have tested the smoke alarms as per Part 6.

Graeme · « **Reply #3 on:** August 26, 2005, 11:38:23 PM »

i totally agree and i have always questioned how pushing a button can simulate smoke.
but some manufacturers deem it not necessary and the button is fine.

most home owners test the one near the kitchen on a daily basis by burning their dinner.

colin todd · « **Reply #4 on:** August 26, 2005, 11:48:48 PM »

..................most homeowners apart from Mrs Millar I'll warant.

Graeme · « **Reply #5 on:** August 26, 2005, 11:49:53 PM »

but of course.
can't burn a takeaway

Gel · « **Reply #6 on:** August 27, 2005, 08:27:57 AM »

Better a smoke cannister than lighting paper underneath, as some do.
However, be aware that over zealous spraying can contaminate the sensing chamber.

colin todd · « **Reply #7 on:** August 27, 2005, 02:24:24 PM »

I dont think that lighting paper was quite what we had in mind.

Andy Cole · « **Reply #8 on:** August 27, 2005, 08:00:10 PM »

Suppose we could just set light to the property and wait to see if the alarm goes off!?!

Graeme · « **Reply #9 on:** August 28, 2005, 08:58:46 AM »

just read in the Sunday paper thet nearly 4,000 battery operated smoke alarms were faulty in 10,000 home fires last year.
More than 1 million homes in deprived areas will now get free smoke alarms.

The smoke alarms in these deprived areas i have been into are not faulty but missing.The first thing the tennant does is to remove the detector so he and his mates don't set it off when they are passing the bong around the room.

I have also replaced loads of missing detectors in HMO's because the tennant has told me,when it went off he hit it with a golf club because he could not reach up to the hush button.

In house holds i have seen the battery removed and never replaced when the alarm started giving the intermittent bleeps to indicate low battery.

ian gough · « **Reply #10 on:** August 28, 2005, 09:38:03 AM »

What paper was that Graham?

ian gough · « **Reply #11 on:** August 28, 2005, 09:38:50 AM »

Apologies - Graeme

colin todd · « **Reply #12 on:** August 28, 2005, 02:39:55 PM »

Bong?

??

ian gough · « **Reply #13 on:** August 28, 2005, 05:15:49 PM »

It must be the 'dinner bong' Colin...

colin todd · « **Reply #14 on:** August 28, 2005, 05:24:04 PM »

Ah yes in the big Scottish castle wot graeme lives in, to be rung by his butler possibly. That would be it.

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Author Topic: Smoke alarms (Read 32747 times)

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