Heat (thermal) alarms detect heat (hot air) instead of smoke. The alarm is triggered when the temperature within the sensor chamber reaches over 58 degrees Celsius – generally when a fire is well established. Test your smoke detectors at least once a month to ensure they work properly. To do this, press and hold the test button on your detector. You should hear a loud, high-pitched beeping sound. Start troubleshooting your device if the sound is quiet or there’s no sound at all. Like a flashing red light, a flashing green light can have a few different meanings. Many smoke detectors use a green light in place of a red light. For example, a blinking green light could be trying to tell you that your batteries are low. Buying and fitting smoke alarms, and ensuring they are carefully and properly maintained, could give you those precious few extra minutes in which to make your escape safely.

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.Available from April 2022, our new FireAngel Optical Smoke Alarm with Escape Light (FA6611-R) will replace any end-of-life FireAngel ST-623E smoke alarms. Smoke particles change the balance of the current. When this happens a signal is sent to the integrated circuit and the alarm sounds. My smoke alarm is going off. This chart shows the visual indications in different smoke detector operational modes… Different makes and models will be slower or faster to detect smoke coming through and have different alarms working at different volumes. Some even feature voice alarms or strobing lights. However, any alarms sold in the UK have to meet BS EN 14604:2005, which specifies the requirements, tests and performance criteria for smoke alarms using optical or ionisation sensors. Heat alarms are governed by the separate BS 5446-3:2003 standard.

If your home is on one level, you should fit the alarm in the hallway between the living and sleeping areas. If you have only one smoke alarm and two floors, put it where you can hear it when you are asleep – on the ceiling at the top of the stairs leading to the bedrooms. Never place your smoke detector or any part of it in water, and don’t use any cleaning chemicals. Liquid can damage your detector’s ability to work effectively. The smoke detector senses smoke Kidde i12040: The red light on this Kidde model indicates that the device is receiving power and functioning properly. If the red light blinks or flashes approximately every 30-40 seconds, it signifies a low battery and requires replacement. Avoid Painting or Covering: Never paint or cover your smoke alarm, as this can hinder its functionality. Keep the smoke alarm free from any obstructions, including decorations or other objects.Heat Alarms: They detect the increase in temperature from a fire and are insensitive to smoke. They can therefore be installed in kitchens. They only cover a relatively small area of a room, so potentially several heat alarms need to be installed in a large kitchen. Smoke alarm with battery and AC electrical power. (Internal battery or 9 volt/AA batteries and wired into electrical power) Why Does My Smoke Detector Blink?