Anyone know if the fire alarms and CO2 alarm should be linked or on
separate circuits?

Google is not being my friend at the moment.

Cheers

Dave R

On Thursday 25 July 2013 14:01 David.WE.Roberts wrote in uk.d-i-y:

Anyone know if the fire alarms and CO2 alarm should be linked or on
separate circuits?

Google is not being my friend at the moment.

Cheers

Dave R

I was going to link mine on one circuit. I cannot see any reason to do it
any other way -

1) CO alarm will set off all alarms = good

2) The supply should be high integrity (reliable) or one where it's failure
is quickly apparant (often a ground floor lighting circuit covering the main
hallway) - having identified and used on of these, you'd want all your
alarms on it.

My 2p's worth

--
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Reading this on the web? See:
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On Thursday, 25 July 2013 14:01:15 UTC+1, David.WE.Roberts wrote:
Anyone know if the fire alarms and CO2 alarm should be linked or on

separate circuits?



Google is not being my friend at the moment.



Cheers



Dave R

My home has Aico ionisation/optical/heat/CO alarms - all linked, and designed to be.

On 25/07/2013 14:01, David.WE.Roberts wrote:
Anyone know if the fire alarms and CO2 alarm should be linked or on
separate circuits?

Google is not being my friend at the moment.

Cheers

Dave R


Is this for a brewery?
I would think CO2 alarms are quite specialist and you probably need to
consult an expert.

On 25/07/2013 14:01, David.WE.Roberts wrote:
Anyone know if the fire alarms and CO2 alarm should be linked or on
separate circuits?

Google is not being my friend at the moment.

Cheers

Dave R


It all depends on the choice of make and model.

For example I have 12 Dicon mains with battery backup smoke and heat
detectors. These are interlinked. Dicon do not do any CO detectors. I
can have up to 12 interlinked according to the instructions.

I also have 4 CO detectors made by Kidde Fyrnetics. These are mains with
battery backup. These are also interlinked but on a separate daisy chain
to the smoke & heat ones.

Howeer, Kidde Fyrnetics do smoke and heat detectors that will interlink
with their CO detectors but are more expensive than the Dicon ones. From
memory I think you can have up to 16 interlinked and different sounds
are made to allow you to tell the difference between a CO leak and a
heat/smoke event.

As I already have an intruder alarm with some spare 24 hour zones and an
on-board dialler, ethernet module and a GSM module, Both Dicon and Kidde
Fyrnetics do relay bases so I used one on each daisy chain, to create
two additional 24 hour zones, one for heat & smoke, i.e. fire and one
for CO leaks.

The bonus is that the alarm panel can then dial out, send me emails to
my mobile and also send text messages.

The intruder alarm, smoke/heat detector chain, CO detector chain all
take their power from a single 6A RCBO. Nothing else is connected to
that RCBO so ensuring high integrity.

If this RCBO tripped or if there was a power cut, the intruder alarm
will email, text and phone me to notify me of the fact.

Hope that helps you,

Stephen.

dennis@home wrote:
On 25/07/2013 14:01, David.WE.Roberts wrote:
Anyone know if the fire alarms and CO2 alarm should be linked or on
separate circuits?

Google is not being my friend at the moment.

Cheers

Dave R


Is this for a brewery?
I would think CO2 alarms are quite specialist and you probably need to
consult an expert.

They are a lot more expensive that CO alarms.

It looks like David made a small error in his post.

--
Adam

On 25 Jul 2013 13:01:15 GMT, David.WE.Roberts wrote:

Anyone know if the fire alarms and CO2 alarm should be linked or on
separate circuits?

CO2?

CO is rather different. A good CO alarm isn't really a go/no-go
device like a smoke or heat detector either. They have intermediate
warnings by different coloured lights or short beeps before going
into a full "get the hell out now" alarm.

Continuos low levels of CO aren't good for you. It's these low levels
that can creep up on you and take you quietly off into a longer sleep
than you intended. With the higher levels you are more likely to
notice something "odd" and take action (if you know the symptoms).

--
Cheers
Dave.

On Thu, 25 Jul 2013 18:41:29 +0100, ARW wrote:

dennis@home wrote:
On 25/07/2013 14:01, David.WE.Roberts wrote:
Anyone know if the fire alarms and CO2 alarm should be linked or on
separate circuits?

Google is not being my friend at the moment.

Cheers

Dave R


Is this for a brewery?
I would think CO2 alarms are quite specialist and you probably need to
consult an expert.

They are a lot more expensive that CO alarms.

It looks like David made a small error in his post.

Ah!

When the sparkie said "Do you want CO2 did he mean CO too?"

That will do until I find a better excuse :-)

Cheers

Dave R

David.WE.Roberts wrote:
On Thu, 25 Jul 2013 18:41:29 +0100, ARW wrote:

dennis@home wrote:
On 25/07/2013 14:01, David.WE.Roberts wrote:
Anyone know if the fire alarms and CO2 alarm should be linked or on
separate circuits?

Google is not being my friend at the moment.

Cheers

Dave R


Is this for a brewery?
I would think CO2 alarms are quite specialist and you probably need
to consult an expert.

They are a lot more expensive that CO alarms.

It looks like David made a small error in his post.

Ah!

When the sparkie said "Do you want CO2 did he mean CO too?"

That will do until I find a better excuse :-)


I like that :-) :-)


--
Adam

On 25/07/2013 14:01, David.WE.Roberts wrote:
Anyone know if the fire alarms and CO2 alarm should be linked or on
separate circuits?

Google is not being my friend at the moment.

Cheers

Dave R


I wrote a sect for UK SElfbuild faq some while back on what detectors
had to be used where and wiring requirements .. not refreshed it
recently but at the time written the requirement was the following sections:

5.2. Mains Powered Alarms
Mains powered alarms are potentially more reliable and therefore
required for all new builds. They should also be installed in all
dwellings where occupants are liable to ignore need to change batteries
However they have limitations €“ they do not work in the event of fire,
and they do not work if the circuit has tripped at consumer unit. This
non-working could easily go unnoticed.
Circuits may also be deliberately disabled if there are nuisance alarms
triggers.

....
9. Grades of Alarms
There are 6 grades of protection systems specified by BS5839: Part 6,
these are designated protection grade A €“ F
The last 3 of these being relevant for Selfbuilders €“
9.1. D €“ systems with one or more mains powered smoke alarms each with
an integral stand-by supply.
9.2. E €“ systems are mains powered smoke alarms, but with no stand-by supply
9.3. F €“ systems comprising of one of more battery powered alarms.

9.4. A Grade D or E system should protect 2 storey domestic homes


10. Power Supply
The alarms must be connected to mains power.

10.1. Grade D systems should be connected to an independent dedicated
alarm power circuit, with no other equipment connected other than a
dedicated monitoring device. Or alternatively a separate, electrically
protected, regularly used lighting circuit.

10.2. Grade E systems can only be connected to an independent dedicated
separately fused alarm power circuit, with no other equipment connected
other than a dedicated monitoring device.

11. Cabling
The electrical installation must conform to BS 7671. (16th Edition regs )
11.1. What does this mean in practise?
The first alarm is supplied power by a T&E cable (1.0 mm2 6242Y) and
then a 3core & E cable is used to interconnect between them (1.0mm2 6243Y)
Any interlinked alarms MUST all be on same power circuit.
The earth wire must NOT be used as the interlink wire.
The circuit should NOT be fed at the consumer unit via an RCCD protected
circuit.

---------------------------


In practice this means put it on a non rccd protected cct along with a
frequently used item - landing light ? so it would be noticed if tripped.

Rick Hughes wrote:
On 25/07/2013 14:01, David.WE.Roberts wrote:
Anyone know if the fire alarms and CO2 alarm should be linked or on
separate circuits?

Google is not being my friend at the moment.

Cheers

Dave R


I wrote a sect for UK SElfbuild faq some while back on what detectors
had to be used where and wiring requirements .. not refreshed it
recently but at the time written the requirement was the following
sections:
5.2. Mains Powered Alarms
Mains powered alarms are potentially more reliable and therefore
required for all new builds. They should also be installed in all
dwellings where occupants are liable to ignore need to change
batteries However they have limitations - they do not work in the
event of fire, and they do not work if the circuit has tripped at consumer
unit. This
non-working could easily go unnoticed.
Circuits may also be deliberately disabled if there are nuisance
alarms triggers.

...
9. Grades of Alarms
There are 6 grades of protection systems specified by BS5839: Part 6,
these are designated protection grade A - F
The last 3 of these being relevant for Selfbuilders -
9.1. D - systems with one or more mains powered smoke alarms each with
an integral stand-by supply.
9.2. E - systems are mains powered smoke alarms, but with no stand-by
supply 9.3. F - systems comprising of one of more battery powered alarms.

9.4. A Grade D or E system should protect 2 storey domestic homes


10. Power Supply
The alarms must be connected to mains power.

10.1. Grade D systems should be connected to an independent dedicated
alarm power circuit, with no other equipment connected other than a
dedicated monitoring device. Or alternatively a separate, electrically
protected, regularly used lighting circuit.

10.2. Grade E systems can only be connected to an independent
dedicated separately fused alarm power circuit, with no other
equipment connected other than a dedicated monitoring device.

11. Cabling
The electrical installation must conform to BS 7671. (16th Edition
regs ) 11.1. What does this mean in practise?
The first alarm is supplied power by a T&E cable (1.0 mm2 6242Y) and
then a 3core & E cable is used to interconnect between them (1.0mm2
6243Y) Any interlinked alarms MUST all be on same power circuit.
The earth wire must NOT be used as the interlink wire.
The circuit should NOT be fed at the consumer unit via an RCCD
protected circuit.

---------------------------


In practice this means put it on a non rccd protected cct along with a
frequently used item - landing light ? so it would be noticed if
tripped.

http://wiki.diyfaq.org.uk/index.php?...moke_Detectors

--
Adam

On Sun, 28 Jul 2013 08:53:59 +0100, Rick Hughes wrote:

In practice this means put it on a non rccd protected cct along with a
frequently used item - landing light ? so it would be noticed if
tripped.

Yup. In fact I have a non-maintained emergency light on the stairs, on
the same circuit. The presence rather than the absence of a light is just
as good, if not better.

And it helps to stop accidents in a power cut.

--
Use the BIG mirror service in the UK: http://www.mirrorservice.org
My posts (including this one) are my copyright and if @diy_forums on
Twitter wish to tweet them they can pay me £30 a post
*lightning surge protection* - a w_tom conductor

On 28 Jul 2013 09:48:00 GMT, Bob Eager wrote:

In practice this means put it on a non rccd protected cct along
with a
frequently used item - landing light ? so it would be noticed if
tripped.

Yup. In fact I have a non-maintained emergency light on the stairs, on
the same circuit. The presence rather than the absence of a light is
just as good, if not better.

Do you mean maintained? As that is the type that is on all the time.
Non-maintained only come on when the power goes. You would have the
charge tell tale, which in the case of the non-maintained light over
our stairs is bright enough to move about by... The mains smoke/heat
detectors also have a tell tale.

--
Cheers
Dave.

On Sun, 28 Jul 2013 08:53:59 +0100, Rick Hughes wrote:

not refreshed it recently but at the time written the requirement was
...
snip
The circuit should NOT be fed at the consumer unit via an RCCD protected
circuit.

Bit hard these days were having a non RCD protected circuit means it
has to be mechanically protected or buried at least 50 mm from any
surfce etc B-)

--
Cheers
Dave.

On Sun, 28 Jul 2013 11:21:00 +0100, Dave Liquorice wrote:

On 28 Jul 2013 09:48:00 GMT, Bob Eager wrote:

In practice this means put it on a non rccd protected cct along
with a
frequently used item - landing light ? so it would be noticed if
tripped.

Yup. In fact I have a non-maintained emergency light on the stairs, on
the same circuit. The presence rather than the absence of a light is
just as good, if not better.

Do you mean maintained? As that is the type that is on all the time.
Non-maintained only come on when the power goes. You would have the
charge tell tale, which in the case of the non-maintained light over our
stairs is bright enough to move about by... The mains smoke/heat
detectors also have a tell tale.

No, I mean non-maintained. I want it to come on when the power goes. I'm
interested in lack of power, not power!

Since it's on the same circuit, it makes a good tell-tale.
--
Use the BIG mirror service in the UK: http://www.mirrorservice.org
My posts (including this one) are my copyright and if @diy_forums on
Twitter wish to tweet them they can pay me £30 a post
*lightning surge protection* - a w_tom conductor