Fire, smoke and heat alarms

Fire and smoke alarms

Fire and smoke alarms are essential for home safety.

Alarms you need in your home

• Smoke alarms are crucial for every household and should be paired with a heat alarm in the kitchen. All smoke and heat alarms must be installed on the ceiling and interconnected.
• When alarms are interconnected, triggering one will activate them all simultaneously, ensuring you receive an alert regardless of your location in the home.
• Place one smoke alarm in the living room or the most frequently used room.
• Install a smoke alarm in every hallway or landing.
• Position a heat alarm in the kitchen.

How do I install the alarms?

Alarms come with screws and raw plugs (plastic inserts for use with screws in plasterboard). You will need a screwdriver and, possibly, a drill. Refer to the instructions provided with the alarm for additional details.

Where should I fit smoke and heat alarms?

• The ideal location for a smoke alarm is on the ceiling. Ensure it is positioned at least 30cm (12 inches) away from any walls, lights, doors, heating, or air-conditioning vents.
• You should be able to hear the alarm in every room, even with doors closed. Test the alarm to ensure it is audible and that all interlinked alarms activate simultaneously. If the sound is not clear, adjust the alarm or install additional ones.
• For optimal coverage, place an alarm within 7 meters (22 feet) of the living room door and 3 meters (9 feet) of any bedroom door.
• In multi-level homes, install alarms in the downstairs hallway and on each stair landing.
• For added safety, consider placing smoke alarms in the bedrooms to protect you while you sleep.
• Additionally, install an interlinked heat detector in the kitchen.

Looking after your alarms

Never:

• Remove the batteries, even temporarily.
• Paint over or cover the smoke alarm with stickers.

Every week:

• Test your smoke alarm by pressing the ‘test’ button. If it doesn’t sound, replace the battery. If it still doesn’t work, replace the alarm.

Every year:

• Replace the battery (unless you have a ‘long-life’ alarm with a built-in battery).
• Choose a memorable date to perform this task.
• Keep the alarm clean and dust-free.
• Gently vacuum the inside and outside casing. If you're decorating or creating excess dust, cover the alarm with a plastic bag secured by an elastic band. Don’t forget to remove it afterward.

How do I stop false alarms?

• Avoid placing smoke alarms too close to the kitchen door, as steam and cooking fumes are common causes of false alarms.
• There are smoke alarms available that are specifically designed for areas near kitchens. Some models also feature a ‘silence’ button to temporarily stop the alarm while the air clears.
• Heat alarms, intended for installation in the kitchen, are designed to avoid activation by steam or other causes of false alarms.​