Smart Smoke Alarms

Smoke alarms are essential for any building as they provide an early warning system in the event of a fire, potentially saving lives and reducing property damage. Fires can spread rapidly, often leaving little time for occupants to react. Smart smoke detectors alert inhabitants of a facility to the presence of smoke, a key indicator of fire, and sound an alarm that alerts everyone in the building to the danger. This early detection is crucial, especially during the night when people are less acute.

By giving occupants the critical time needed to evacuate or respond to the fire, a smart fire alarm system significantly increase the chances of survival and help prevent injuries. Additionally, they enable quicker responses from emergency services, which can minimise the extent of damage to the building and its contents.

Our intelligent smoke alarms feature long-lasting batteries with a lifespan of 5-10 years, significantly reducing the need for frequent battery replacements and ensuring continuous protection for an extended period. Many of our smoke alarms offer more than just fire detection; they also include temperature and humidity sensors, providing valuable insights into your home’s environment and enhancing overall safety and comfort.

Smoke Alarms

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Nexelec Origin LoRaWAN Smoke Detector

£48.00 £55.00

Nexelec Origin LoRaWAN Smoke Detector Add to Cart

£48.00 £55.00

Nexelec ORIGIN Smoke alarm Series

£53.00 - £71.00

Nexelec ORIGIN Smoke alarm Series View Details

£53.00 - £71.00

Nexelec GUARD+ Smoke alarm

£59.00

Nexelec GUARD+ Smoke alarm Add to Cart

£59.00

FAQ

What’s the difference between a smoke alarm and a smoke detector?

Smoke Alarm:

A smoke alarm is a self-contained unit that includes two main components: a smoke sensor and an audible alarm. When the smoke sensor detects smoke particles in the air, it triggers the alarm to sound, alerting occupants to the presence of smoke and potential fire. The key feature of a smoke alarm is that it combines both the detection and alarm functions in a single device.

Smoke alarms are commonly used in residential settings due to their ease of installation and standalone nature. They can be battery-operated or hardwired into the building's electrical system, often with a battery backup to ensure functionality during power outages. Because smoke alarms are independent units, they are typically installed in various locations throughout a home, such as bedrooms, hallways, and kitchens, to provide comprehensive coverage.

Smoke Detector:

In contrast, a smoke detector is a device designed solely to detect smoke; it does not have an integrated audible alarm. Instead, when a smoke detector senses smoke, it sends a signal to a central fire alarm control panel. The control panel then activates a separate alarm system that can include loud sirens, flashing lights, or even automated notifications to emergency services.

Smoke detectors are commonly used in commercial, industrial, and larger residential buildings where centralised monitoring and control are necessary. These systems allow for real-time monitoring of multiple areas and can be connected to a network of detectors, providing comprehensive coverage across large spaces. The integration with a central fire alarm system enables smoke detectors to trigger coordinated responses, such as unlocking fire exits, shutting down ventilation systems, or alerting building occupants and first responders simultaneously.

How often should I replace smoke detector?

Smoke detectors should be replaced every 10 years or sooner. Over time, the sensors in smoke detectors often become less sensitive due to dust accumulation, or due to component aging. This reduces their effectiveness in detecting smoke which can be a serious risk in protecting against fires as it may not warn the occupants that a fire has started, or it may take longer to detect the fire, which isn't ideal as the occupants need to be notified as soon as possible so that they can make their way to the fire exit or out of the building.

However, a smart smoke alarm, the likes of which Smart Building Products provide, needs only to have its battery replaced every ten years, providing a wireless connection that still delivers on performance.

There are steps that should be taken in order to maintain the condition of a smart fire alarm (used here interchangeably, as the smoke alarms we provide double as fire alarms) so that it has a long lifespan:

Regular Testing: It's a good idea to test your alarm once a month to test if it is functioning correctly. Every smoke alarm should have a test button which can be pressed for this very purpose. Doing so will ensure that any faults are detected swiftly, which will ensure you that your smoke alarm will work properly in the event of a fire.

Battery Replacement: If you have a battery-operated smoke alarm, it’s ideal to replace the battery or whenever the detector starts making a chirping noise, indicating a low battery. Or, you may look at the manufacturer's guide for specific instructions. Setting a reminder to replace the battery annually can help ensure this important task isn’t overlooked. Another common practice is to replace the batteries when you adjust your clocks for daylight saving time. This approach helps maintain a consistent schedule and ensures that your smoke alarm remains fully operational.

Cleaning: As previously mentioned, the ability to detect smoke may deteriorate overtime due to dust and debris interfering with the detector. To avoid this build-up, you should clean your detector a couple times every year using a hoover or a soft brush.

Which is better: battery or plug in smoke detectors?

Smoke Detectors are designed to have a battery or they are designed to be plugged in using a buildings electrical system. Each one has it's advantages and disadvantages, but only you can decide which one will be more suitable for your situation.

Battery Operated Smoke Detectors have alot more convenience and flexibility when it comes to installation. As there is no need for electrical wiring, the smoke detector could be placed anywhere in a room, as well as easily being portable as they can be easily moved to another location at a later date. They'll also still function during power outages, as they are granted power from the battery. Despite this, some may not like using battery smoke detectors because they'll have to provide battery maintenance, typically a battery alarm only needs to be changed once a year, but some people don't want the risk of forgetting to change the battery. Furthermore, Battery smoke detectors are usually not interconnected, meaning that if one alarm goes off, it doesn't trigger all the other alarms in the building. This means that battery smoke detectors are a good choice for a house, but not so ideal for industrial size buildings.

Hardwired smoke detectors have a few more advantages in terms of functionality. Since hardwired smoke detectors are connected to the building's electrical system, they are generally considered more reliable. They will operate continuously as long as the building has power, eliminating concerns about battery replacements. This results in less maintenance compared to battery-operated detectors. Another advantage is that hardwired fire alarms can be interconnected, so if one alarm is triggered, then all the alarms in the system will sound, providing more effective and widespread alerts. However, these alarms require professional installation or at least a moderate level of DIY electrical skill, as they need to be properly connected to the building’s electrical system. Although there is a risk that the fire alarm will be disabled during power outages, there is the possibility that the fire alarm has a built in battery which it uses as backup power.

Where is the best place to put a smoke detector?

Bedrooms and the areas immediately outside them are the most critical locations for fire alarms. The reason for this is that early warning is vital when occupants are asleep, as they need to be alerted and woken up promptly in the event of a fire. A fire alarm inside the bedroom ensures that the occupant is quickly awakened by the sound, while an alarm outside the bedroom detects smoke before it reaches the escape route, giving them time to safely evacuate. Being asleep during a fire is particularly dangerous, making it essential to have alarms in these key locations to provide the earliest possible warning.

Another crucial location for fire alarm installation is in or just outside the kitchen, as this is where most fires typically originate. Installing a smoke alarm near the kitchen ensures that any fire is detected and sounded as early as possible, providing quick alerts to occupants. To minimise the risk of false alarms, it's recommended to place the smoke alarm at least 10 feet away from cooking appliances.

For any commercial facility, you will want to install smart smoke alarms in every room, and especially near anything that could potentially cause a fire hazard, like large machinery or flammable materials.

Regardless of the room, it is recommended to install fire alarms on the ceiling, positioned as centrally as possible. This placement ensures the alarm is away from blocked or obstructed airspaces, allowing it to detect smoke more effectively and provide an early warning in the event of a fire.

Smart Smoke Alarms

Smoke Alarms

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