Refurb Projects August 2017

FIRE & SAFETY
Multiple Choice
Kidde discusses the growing diversity of selection criteria applied today
to domestic smoke, heat and carbon monoxide alarms.
Without doubt, smoke
and heat alarms save
lives but, of course,
third party certification
such as BSi Kitemarking and longterm
reliability are essential –
particularly in a critical area like fire
safety. But whole-life commitments
from manufacturers are important
as well. For example, Kidde’s Slick
brand is the only range of fast-fit
rechargeable smoke and heat alarms
guaranteed for 10 years.
STRAIGHTFORWARD
INSTALLATION
Straightforward installation is also a
consideration and Kidde’s Slick fastfit
system utilises a separate base
plate that can be installed and its
integral terminal block wired at first
fix. Then, near completion, the alarm
simply slides onto the base plate
hinge flap and locks into place by
default.
Interest in energy saving is now
focusing on safety products as well
and the latest Firex smoke and heat
alarms, manufactured and supplied
exclusively by Kidde, cost less than
£1 per year to run – a major benefit
for tenants and homeowners. The
Firex range also includes options for
long-life lithium battery back-up,
alongside the usual loose battery
and integral rechargeable battery
versions. This innovation ensures
reliable backup throughout the
whole alarm life, without the need
to change batteries, at a much lower
price than rechargeable products.
SWIFT SOLUTIONS
Mains smoke alarms are a Building
Regulation requirement and
recommended for most existing
housing and all rented properties
under BS5839 Part 6. But there may
still be situations where battery
smoke alarms can provide quick,
simple protection – particularly
where no alarms are present at all.
For example, Kidde’s 10Y29 optical
smoke alarm has a full 10-year
guarantee covering both the alarm
and sealed-in lithium battery, and is
simply installed without wiring –
features shared with Kidde’s selfcontained
10LLCO and 10LLDCO
carbon monoxide alarms.
These CO alarms are full of
features and the CO sensors – the
key component – are actually tested
throughout a 10-year period or
longer. Kidde also offers a wide
“
Kidde’s 10-year guarantee, sealed-in battery, smoke and CO
”
alarms can be simply and quickly installed without wiring
range of other CO alarms including
the 4MCO and 4MDCO mains CO
alarms. These can be interconnected
with each other and also the
company’s Slick or Firex ranges of
smoke and heat alarms using the
unique ‘Smart Interconnect’ feature
to create a comprehensive system
for whole home protection.
Crucially, the CO alarms have
different, distinct alarm sounder
patterns for carbon monoxide and
fire, supported by different display
messages on the digital model.
SMART INTERCONNECT
So, without the need for any further
operation of the system (such as
remote switches), Smart
Interconnect automatically alerts
occupants of the specific hazard
that confronts them. This allows
them to respond quickly, making the
right choice from the very different
alternative actions for either fire or
the presence of carbon monoxide.
Using Smart Interconnect, Kidde CO
alarms act as sounders for the
smoke/heat alarm system as well as
warning of carbon monoxide. This is
particularly useful in bedrooms
where occupants may not be
awoken by landing smoke alarms.
For peace of mind, the long-term
reliability of CO alarms is also
critical – particularly with the
presence of non-compliant products
in the market. An established
manufacturer with a reputation for
quality, supported by third party
accreditation, is essential. All Kidde
CO alarms, whether hard-wired or
battery, are BSi Kitemarked and
comply with the latest edition of BS
EN 50291:2010. Kidde also
manufactures its own sensors,
allowing tighter quality controls to
be applied.
For more information, call: 01753
766392, email:
sales@kiddesafety.co.uk or visit:
www.kiddesafetyeurope.co.uk
REFURBISHMENT PROJECTS, AUGUST 2017 35