Tue, 19 May 2026 16:49:02 +0100 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/ Lussumo Vanilla 1.0.3 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18299&Focus=308517#Comment_308517 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18299&Focus=308517#Comment_308517 Thu, 05 Jun 2025 18:15:36 +0100 Rex
Although I have mains connected smoke / heat alarms fitted to the house, I decided to install a regular, battery operate one at a second high point; it is effective in the dressing room' with access to the bathroom, but is above a void to the f/f space below.

It has been there for over ten years, regularly tested and the battery replaced.

Last night, after having had a bath and five minutes in bed, the alarm activated for no reason. I replaced the battery this morning and again, just now, following my wife washing her hair, it has again, activated. the copy on the rear does state humidity of above 93% but that is certainly not the case.

What would be causing it to activate? Does it mean a replacement?

Thanks and toodle pip]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18299&Focus=308518#Comment_308518 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18299&Focus=308518#Comment_308518 Thu, 05 Jun 2025 21:16:16 +0100 djh Posted By: Rexthe copy on the rear dos state humidity of above 93% but that is certainly not the case.How do you know? Have you actually measured it with a logging humidity meter situated next to the smoke (or is it heat?) alarm?]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18299&Focus=308519#Comment_308519 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18299&Focus=308519#Comment_308519 Thu, 05 Jun 2025 22:02:28 +0100 philedge https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18299&Focus=308520#Comment_308520 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18299&Focus=308520#Comment_308520 Fri, 06 Jun 2025 09:46:54 +0100 WillInAberdeen
They're not expensive and the newer ones detect carbon monoxide and heat as well as smoke, and interlink so that they all sound the alarm if any one detects fire.

https://nfcc.org.uk/nfcc-reminds-people-to-replace-smoke-alarms-every-10-years/]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18299&Focus=308521#Comment_308521 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18299&Focus=308521#Comment_308521 Fri, 06 Jun 2025 10:15:53 +0100 Rex
Will replace this one. And will check the mains versions.

In replacing the mains, obviously, one has to buy the complete unit but is it necessary to do a rewire or does the alarm unit just 'plug' into the base with the wiring in place?]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18299&Focus=308522#Comment_308522 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18299&Focus=308522#Comment_308522 Fri, 06 Jun 2025 13:20:08 +0100 djh Posted By: RexIn replacing the mains, obviously, one has to buy the complete unit but is it necessary to do a rewire or does the alarm unit just 'plug' into the base with the wiring in place?Dunno. I see the units in my house are no longer available but have been replaced by very similar, presumably 'better', models. Hopefully that means they are plug-compatible but the truth will come when I actually try to replace them in a few months time if I'm to believe the dates printed on them.

One thing I wish I'd done when we built was install a misting sprinkler system. They were a bit new then as I remember :(]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18299&Focus=308523#Comment_308523 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18299&Focus=308523#Comment_308523 Fri, 06 Jun 2025 18:06:49 +0100 Artiglio https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18299&Focus=308524#Comment_308524 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18299&Focus=308524#Comment_308524 Fri, 06 Jun 2025 19:31:03 +0100 Rex
I heard what you are saying about the bases discolouring. I did have a look today and the kitchen one has a plug so will assume that nay new version will have a compatible plug and not need any re-wiring. Hopefully, just screw and go.

Not going to go wireless, don't really trust it.]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18299&Focus=308525#Comment_308525 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18299&Focus=308525#Comment_308525 Fri, 06 Jun 2025 20:58:50 +0100 djh Posted By: RexNot going to go wireless, don't really trust it.I agree; certainly for something that needs to work in all conceivable circumstances!

We have Aico, and IIRC they use a 4-wire interconnection so maybe the cable would be reusable if I ever had to change brands.]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18299&Focus=308526#Comment_308526 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18299&Focus=308526#Comment_308526 Fri, 06 Jun 2025 21:14:26 +0100 philedge https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18299&Focus=308527#Comment_308527 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18299&Focus=308527#Comment_308527 Sat, 07 Jun 2025 12:11:52 +0100 Rex
Have been investigating the Kidde range (that is what I have) and of the three different models currently installed, all now have different numbers or been discontinued. But seems that in reality, I only have two types installed, smoke and a combo smoke/heat in the kitchen.]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18299&Focus=308533#Comment_308533 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18299&Focus=308533#Comment_308533 Sat, 07 Jun 2025 20:48:33 +0100 djh Posted By: RexI only have two types installed, smoke and a combo smoke/heat in the kitchen.We have three types - optical smoke alarms in the halls, an ionisation smoke alarm in the living room and a heat alarm in the kitchen. The ionisation alarm seems to have been replaced in the product range by the optical alarm nowadays. I thought the reason for a heat alarm in the kitchen is that smoke alarms are too sensitive and can go off if you burn the toast or whatever minor mishap? So I'm surprised there's even such a thing as a smoke and heat alarm!]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18299&Focus=308537#Comment_308537 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18299&Focus=308537#Comment_308537 Sun, 08 Jun 2025 10:51:31 +0100 Mike1 Posted By: RexNot going to go wireless, don't really trust it.Through habit I was intending to fit wired alarms on my current project in France, but there are none available here - all the domestic ones are battery only.]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18299&Focus=308538#Comment_308538 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18299&Focus=308538#Comment_308538 Sun, 08 Jun 2025 10:55:32 +0100 djh https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18299&Focus=308549#Comment_308549 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18299&Focus=308549#Comment_308549 Mon, 09 Jun 2025 17:26:14 +0100 Artiglio
Wireless interconnected alarms are currently acceptable as retrofit so long as they have a built in tamper proof sealed battery. I’d prefer not to use them but the trunking runs needed to extend circuits under the post grenfell rules make the radiolink devices much more sensible.

In the Aico range you have the live and neutral supply, along with the interlink conductor. They have a terminal for the earth but it does nothing for the system, just somewhere to terminate the earth.]]>