And is there any [particular sort of isolator for that after all what if its say a rented property and a nuisance alarm happens during the night and someone half asleep switches it off and forgets to switch it back on?..
So question I suppose is would a "fuse" Flex outlet type of disconnector be OK or not?..
And before anyone sez yes they do have battery backups but then again someone might just borrow a battery sometimes tho they shouldn't etc..
I don't like the idea of it being on its own RCBO. What if it trips while you're on holiday? The batteries could be dead by the time you get back, so you'll have no idea there's anything amiss until next time you look at the consumer unit (how often to normal people do that?) or your house burns down but the smoke alarms don't work!
I don't like the idea of it being on its own switch, for reasons like you suggest.
So that's the two things suggested by the OSG dismissed! Where do we go from here?
Cheers, David.
David Robinson wibbled on Wednesday 21 April 2010 21:16
Use any one where the failure of the circuit would be obvious quickly.
If you were to use mains interlinked alarms, you'd have to have all of them on the same circuit anyway, so pick whichever circuit makes life easier. With this in mind, it might be prudent to wire to one circuit with an interlink wire even if you don't intend to use it for now, for future proofing.
If the alarm module is a plug in type where the alarm can be unplugged safely from the wiring harness without turning the power off, I don't see a lot of point.
If it is necessary, then I'd have a DP isolator on the common feed somewhere out of reach (including in the loft void) and marked.
The OSG isn't "law" - use engineering discretion if needs be.
I have long argued that for council tenants this should be from the socket into which the TV is plugged into.
Battery back up is required for smoke alarms that do not have their own supply from the CU.
No point at all.
Maybe a fish key switch for a rented property.
I do not know of any firm that puts an isolation switch in for the smoke alarms. It seems to be the standard on new builds to put the smokes on their own MCB.
Adam
Only if you are away for many months - the batteries last a long time.
They often show (or don't show) LEDs on the alarm to indicate mains failure.
Well, we all press that test button on each alarm weekly don't we?
Finally got an answer on this from local building control. They're not interested in plans for the electrics, and they have no one qualified to comment on them.
They had to ask around the office to find out the correct procedure, so I guess this isn't common.
They will pay someone to inspect it twice - once at first fix, once when completed. They want at least one weeks notice for each inspection. As far as they are concerned, they're not allowed to pass the cost on to me. (I know this is wrong as of April, but let's hope they don't find out in time).
I can't see the inspections happening at quite such cleanly and clearly defined moments - especially as the lighting circuits will be pressed into use the moment they're in - but hopefully it'll work out OK.
Cheers, David.
Take lots of photos of anything that becomes hidden before they see it - if there's any argument, then at least you can show them those.
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