[Default] On Fri, 25 May 2012 11:36:31 -0700 (PDT), a certain
chimpanzee, therustyone , randomly hit the
keyboard and wrote:

Anyone know anything about fire/smoke alarm installations? A relative
is getting nagged by the local Fire Dept who want grade F LD2 smoke
detectors installed in an old B&B and have supplied a copy of the
Department for Local Communities booklet “Do You Have Paying Guests?”
http://www.communities.gov.uk/public...e/payingguests
This document implies, page 14, that grade F smoke detectors are
“wirelessly connected” at least and a heat detector in the kitchen is
linked in too.

So do grade F smoke detectors, the minimum requirement, have to be
interlinked (wireless or cable) or not ?

LD1, 2 or 3 are the areas covered by the detection; the grades (A to
F) are the types of detectors used. LD2 is generally all circulation
spaces, plus any risk rooms such as kitchens or living rooms. Grade F
is the lowest, and consists of battery powered detectors. The reason,
therefore, that they would be wirelessly interlinked is that they are
not wired in.

A brief reading of the leaflet you quote implies that a Grade F system
would be only suitable in a very small premises (e.g., a holiday
cottage). In the preceeding sentence it describes a system that would
be acceptable in a dwelling house as mains-wired (Grade D).

Personally, I would suggest that a minimum of mains-wired detection is
provided, and that it should cover the hall and landing. If the
kitchen is directly off the escape route and is used for fry-ups,
etc., then a heat detector should be included. Also if there is a
guests' lounge this should be covered too. If the reliability of the
detectors' wireless connection is anything like my router's, I
wouldn't trust my life to it.
--
Hugo Nebula
"If no-one on the internet wants a piece of this,
just how far from the pack have I strayed"?