Smoke Alarm Guide: Which Alarms Do You Need and Where?

Working smoke alarms are the most effective fire safety measure available to homeowners. They provide early warning that gives occupants time to escape before smoke and fire prevent escape routes from being used. In the UK, around half of all domestic fire deaths occur in properties without working smoke alarms. The statistics are stark: you are twice as likely to die in a house fire if you don't have a working alarm.

BS 5839-6, the British Standard for fire detection and fire alarm systems in dwellings, provides guidance on the minimum level of protection. For a typical domestic dwelling it recommends at least one optical smoke alarm in the hall and on each landing, one smoke alarm in every living room, and a heat alarm in the kitchen. Optical alarms are recommended over ionisation alarms as they detect slow-smouldering fires — the most common type in homes — more effectively, and are less prone to false alarms from cooking.

Mains-wired alarms with battery backup are the preferred solution. They cannot be disabled by removing a battery, and when alarms are interlinked (so all alarms sound when one is triggered), they provide the best possible warning time. Wireless interlinked systems are also available, which avoid the need for additional wiring. DP Power Solutions installs Aico mains-wired alarms — a UK manufacturer with an excellent reputation for reliability.

Positioning matters: alarms should be mounted on the ceiling, at least 300mm from any wall or light fitting. In rooms with sloped ceilings (such as lofts), position the alarm where the ceiling is at least 600mm high. Test your alarms weekly by pressing the test button. Replace batteries annually (unless the alarm has a sealed 10-year battery) and replace the entire unit every 10 years.