The health effects of CO depend on the concentration and length of exposure (carbon monoxide concentration is measured in parts per million). According to respected CO alarm manufacturer Kidde, “a carbon monoxide detector is a time-weighted alarm that measures the buildup of carbon monoxide in a house. Don’t think that CO alarms are just for your home, either. They’re essential for caravans and motorhomes, and you might even want to take one on holiday if you’re staying in a cottage or self-catering accommodation. Are there any features worth looking out for? An interesting by-product of the new breed of smart alarms is the fire-related data being collected, as is the case with Google, which makes the Nest Protect smoke and CO alarm. Google told us that it uses data from its alarms to provide ‘meaningful insights’ for its customers and to improve the product. The Nest Protect passed our sealed incense test with flying colours: the smoke alarm went off first, followed by the CO alarm five minutes later; according to the app, the CO level was 414ppm and increasing. We can’t think of a better CO currently alarm on the market, particularly as it also detects smoke. In Scotland, since February 2022, interlinked smoke and heat alarms have needed to be fitted in all homes.

So if you’re out of your home and not near your phone when the messages come through, you’ll have no way of knowing the alarm was sounding. All of the major manufacturers (Aico, FireAngel and Kidde) make smoke and heat alarms that will work in combination with one another and we have tested pairs of smoke and heat alarms from each of them. Northern Ireland has Technical BookletE: 2012 which has similar legislation as the building regulations BS 5839. It requires that all households should have at least: These alarms are more sensitive to smaller particles of smoke produced by the flaming stage of fires than optical alarms, and more easily triggered by cooking – causing false alarms. Testing is done manually by a simple press and hold of the large central button. Visual test red light flashes also go off around every 30 or so seconds, so if you feel you’ve gone a little while without seeing the light, you know you have to act.Wireless devices communicate with each other and other devices without the use of connecting wires. This can be through interlinking by radio or through wi-fi. Most manufacturers suggest locating your alarm next to or near a gas appliance, and it’s worth having one in the same room as any fire or wood-burning stove. It should be around 1.5m from the ground and at least 30cm away from any ceiling, and most can be mounted on a worktop, shelf or table – or simply mounted on the wall. In addition to the aforementioned sensors, smoke detectors usually come fitted with a sound alarm, which goes off when smoke's being detected, and light indicators. Some models may also include additional motion, occupancy, humidity sensors, expanding the functionality of the device and making it more versatile. Temperature Range and Power Source It features an alarm which sounds at 85 dB(A) from 3 metres away, which is piercing enough to wake you up from a deep slumber. If it sounds a false alarm, a ten minute hush button will give your ears a rest. This button can also be used to manually test the alarm, just in case you haven’t heard it in a while and want to make sure everything is okay. There is no hub or bridge required for it to work, which is perfect if you want a smart smoke alarm without having to install a full system or pay out loads of money for other bits and bobs. It is, however, one of the few smart alarms which will work with HomeKit, so you can still connect it up to other smart small appliances in your home or control it from your phone.

This one has Thermoptek technology, which essentially means it can detect both smouldering slow fires and a rapid rise in temperature, which signals a fast fire.Real-time alerts can be sent straight to your connected smartphone, so even if you aren’t at home, you’ll be notified of any issues. When you are at home, you’ll clearly be able to hear the 85 dB alarm from 3m away. Interlinked smoke alarms will use the same optical or ionisation technology mentioned above, so, they're not a type of alarm in their own right. Officially seen as the World’s smallest smoke alarm at just 4cm in diameter, this Cavius is not just a novelty. If you need a bit of a visual guidance, it is basically the size of a golf ball. Despite its size, it works just as well as its larger rivals. As for the batteries’ life, you’ll be getting the 1/2-year span before they run out. The only gripe is that the + and – symbols inside are somewhat unclear, so if you’re wearing glasses, don them on prior to replacing. Other than that, the system is quite easy to operate – and even comes with the required fixings for instalment.

It is smart, so can alert your phone if there are any issues. This can range from a power issue or sensor failure to smoke or carbon monoxide being detected. It will also tell you where the problem is, and Nest Protect will let you know even if you are out. You can also silence it from your phone should you wish. So, if you see an alarm which doesn’t have a replacement battery but should last around ten years, this is not something to be worried about as this is usually a good sign the whole unit will need changing anyway. Since 2002, Hispec has been at the forefront of delivering top-notch fire safety products and innovative lighting solutions to the UK wholesale market. Our diverse product streams cover Fire & CO alarms, Emergency Lightingand an extensive range of lighting products.As well as changing the battery if need be, your actual alarm will likely need replacing around every ten years. This is the recommended deadline to ensure you still have the most effective system for your home, and it isn’t clogged up with smoke particles. False alarms can also be silenced from your phone. This is handy if you’re in the middle of frying a steak and don’t want to leave it unattended, or can’t reach the alarm to turn it off without trying to press it with the end of the mop/standing on steps.