Interconnected Smoke Alarms?

[GBS Property]

A client of mine has a 2 bedroomed house which he intends to rent out to students. He has asked me to install 2 mains smoke alarms - one on the upstairs landing and one in the livingroom. I told him that I thought they should be interconnected, although he stated that he had spoken the the LA and they told him that they did not.

In 10.2.2 © -a- Part P it states that "The detectors and alarms are required to:

a. be linked so that the operation of one will initiate all"

Does this solely apply to a new build - or would it apply in the circumstances I have outlined above?

I see nothing mentioned in BS7671 about this, so I assume I could issue a MWC as there are no departures from this.

This seems to be a continual confusion for me. Certain parts on Part P apply to new builds only (ie socket and switch heights) - and others apply within their own merit.

Can anyone be good enough to clarify?

 

[steptoe]

HMO

house of multiple occupancy.?

---------- Post Auto-Merged at 23:15 ---------- Previous post was made at 23:14 ----------

Im sure there is a download in the relevant section of the site if you want to have a look at it.

 

[SteveT]

A client of mine has a 2 bedroomed house which he intends to rent out to students. He has asked me to install 2 mains smoke alarms - one on the upstairs landing and one in the livingroom. I told him that I thought they should be interconnected, although he stated that he had spoken the the LA and they told him that they did not.In 10.2.2 © -a- Part P it states that "The detectors and alarms are required to:

a. be linked so that the operation of one will initiate all"

Does this solely apply to a new build - or would it apply in the circumstances I have outlined above?

I see nothing mentioned in BS7671 about this, so I assume I could issue a MWC as there are no departures from this.

This seems to be a continual confusion for me. Certain parts on Part P apply to new builds only (ie socket and switch heights) - and others apply within their own merit.

Can anyone be good enough to clarify?

I believe that as this is a new install (smokes) they are to be mains operated AND interconnected. The regs by the way are mentioned in most of the installation intructions that come with the alarms(those I have installed), these also contain diagrams for posistioning etc.

There are radio linked alarms available which fulfill the regs, no need for 3C/E!

The regs state a minimum of two interconnected alarms in circulating areas (two stories)

 

[PC Electrics]

MUST be interlinked. The BS requires this, as do the building regs.

You'd also be wise, IMO, to fit a heat in the kitchen as per Building regs (new build standard).

Also, why the lounge? are the stairs open plan? Otherwise it should be in the hallway.

---------- Post Auto-Merged at 09:02 ---------- Previous post was made at 08:57 ----------

PS, you can use RF smokes to achieve the interlinking. More expensive, but saves on the wiring (and subsequent redecoration)

You can also get 10 year lithium battery powered RF smokes and heats. the batteries cannot be removed without destroying the alarm thus resolving the issue of tenants removing 9v batteries from standard units.

Even mains smokes are supposed to be replaced after 10 years anyway.

 

[GBS Property]

I have searched through BS7671 and nowhere does it mention interlinking of smoke alarms. In fact it does not mention smoke alarms at all. It does mention it in the building regulations saying they need to be interconnected (10.2.2(B)). It seems that I am not the only one confused about this. I suppose my question is whether or not the building regulations apply ONLY to a new BUILD, or would they apply in my case of a new INSTALLATION, in an old house.

 

[M107]

If he is going to rent the rooms out, he will probably find his insurers will insist on interlinked smokes & as I've had recently on two jobs..a linked Carbon monoxide detector if gas boiler/heating is used in the property.

 

[sparkytim]

Reason not mentioned in BS7671 is that Fire alarms have their own BS - 5839 Part 1 for commercial type systems amd Part 6 for Domestic properties.

Same with Emergency lighting BS 5266 is the standard.

 

[GBS Property]

Thanks a lot guys. I really appreciate your comments. I think I have it sorted out now. The LA and the client now agree with me that they DO need to be interlinked as stated in Part P. It seems my persistance has paid off and I have won the contract.