About this service
Smoke and heat alarms provide early warning of fire. Smoke alarms are commonly used in circulation and living spaces, while heat alarms are suited to kitchens where normal cooking fumes could cause false alarms. Interlinked alarms sound together so a fire in one part of the home is heard elsewhere.
Alarm type, grade, power supply, interconnection and siting should suit the property and occupancy. A landlord also needs to consider current legal duties and any additional requirements for HMOs or converted buildings.
Common problems we help with
Alarms are not interlinked
Separate battery alarms may not warn occupants on another floor quickly enough.
Frequent false alarms
Wrong detector type, poor position, dust or end-of-life equipment can cause nuisance activation.
Chirping or fault indication
A low backup battery, contamination, expired unit or connection fault may be responsible.
Coverage changed after building work
Extensions, loft conversions and new room layouts can require revised detection.
How we carry out the work
Assess rooms and escape routes
We identify storeys, circulation spaces, kitchens, sleeping areas and higher-risk rooms.
Select power and detector types
Mains, backup, interlink and alarm technology are matched to the property.
Install, interlink and test
Devices are positioned, labelled where useful and tested together with user controls explained.
What is normally included?
- Initial discussion about the property, symptoms, priorities and timescale
- Assessment of the relevant circuit, equipment, access and existing protection
- A written scope for the proposed smoke & heat alarms work
- The agreed installation or repair work, with disruption kept to a reasonable minimum
- Inspection, electrical testing and appropriate handover documentation
Before the work starts
- The building layout, escape routes and areas that genuinely need coverage
- Who uses the system and how alerts, entry or routine tests will be managed
- Cable routes, power supplies, networking and resilience during an outage
- Ongoing testing, maintenance and record-keeping requirements
What affects the price?
The price depends on the existing installation and the amount of work required. For smoke & heat alarms, the main factors normally include:
- Device and detection-point quantity
- Wired, wireless or hybrid infrastructure
- Access at height and containment requirements
- Monitoring, recording, integration and maintenance options
Testing, certificates and handover
Once the installation work is complete, we inspect and test it and provide the records that apply to the job.
- System demonstration for the people who will use it
- Device, zone or camera schedule as appropriate
- Test results and commissioning information
- Maintenance and routine-user-check guidance
Smoke & Heat Alarms questions
Why use a heat alarm in a kitchen?
It responds to a rapid temperature rise or high heat without reacting as readily to normal cooking fumes.
Can wireless alarms be interlinked?
Yes. Radio interlink can be useful where installing an interlink cable would cause disproportionate disruption.
How many alarms does a home need?
It depends on layout, storeys, risk and applicable guidance. One alarm near the front door is rarely a complete system.
Booking the work
What happens after you contact us
1. Discuss the job
Tell us about the property, the symptoms or the result you want. Photographs and model numbers are often helpful.
2. Inspect and quote
We check the relevant installation and give you a written quotation showing what is included.
3. Complete and test
We carry out the agreed work, verify it electrically and explain any controls, labels or certificates at handover.