Smoke detector false alarms

[littlespark]

But are you charging a decent, late-night call out fee?

 

[loz2754]

Probably a bit too late and/or expensive option would be to replace them all with Aico smart link alarms, which can be polled remotely via the internet, as to which detector caused the alarm, at what time, whether the hush bottom was pressed etc.

 

[Dartlec]

Got a call back from Kidde tech today so kudos to them for a quick response.

Seems like the interlink uses a low voltage signal, but in theory anything over 7V can cause it - and a loose neutral can cause issues.

I did redo all the connections in the ceiling though from the "traditional" bare choc block to wagos in enclosure, so suspect the issue is either with cable damage, or user interference.

The Firex apparently do have a handy alert memory mode, both in LED and audible form. This applies to their KF10, KF20, KF30 models and might be useful for anyone searching the forum in the future:

If a unit has entered into alarm (detecting smoke in the case of smoke alarms or heat in the case of the heat alarm models within the last 24 hours) and then come out of alarm; it will be set into the alarm memory state; comprising of a visual state (3 flashes of the red LED every 40 seconds lasting a maximum of 24 hours) and an audible state (lasting indefinitely, whilst the unit is powered, until reset by the test button as described below):

When in audible memory state it will not produce a PTT (the normal temporal three sounder pattern) when the button is pressed and held. Instead of the PTT, the unit produces a fast chirp and LED flash to indicate alarm memory. Since the PTT is not produced, the interconnect signal is not sent to connected alarms and the network will not sound during that first press. When the button is released from the first press the unit will resume normal operation with the memory states cancelled. Pressing and holding the button will now produce a PTT signal (the normal temporal three pattern) and all alarms will sound as remote units.

The issue in this case is that access to all the rooms is not possible for anyone attending unless the housing management company rep is also there with keys, which is currently not possible without pre booking days in advance - Getting a straight answer out of the short term tenants as to which lights were showing on each detector seems unlikely.

Hopefully the audible memory state might last until I get there this week.

This is a case where a full system with a panel would probably be handy, since it would show tamper and room states, etc. But since there is no staff onsite and tenants are always short term of a few months at most so no-one long term who could be trained onsite, probably would end up more trouble/cost than its worth.

I've been down the rabbit hole of documentation today, and got hold of the fire risk assessment, which calls for Grade LD2 - but includes in that interlinked smokes in each bedroom.

The key in the LACORs guide which everyone seems to refer back to in their guides (even though it hasn't been updated since 2008) is whether this is a 'shared house HMO', or a 'bedsit HMO', since the latter calls for interlinking in each room.

The latest 5839 in theory supersedes LACORs, but doesn't make things much clearer on that score.

The ideal would be a system where the bedroom ones delayed triggering all alarms, but that doesn't seem to be possible outside of a full panel setup, unless someone knows of a maker of standalone sensors that includes that option?

 

[Dartlec]

Probably a bit too late and/or expensive option would be to replace them all with Aico smart link alarms, which can be polled remotely via the internet, as to which detector caused the alarm, at what time, whether the hush bottom was pressed etc.

Nice idea, but there isn't even broadband on site - and although the Aico system looks nice, it's very expensive when you get into the 'smart' bits of their system.

From memory of their training you can do some stuff with 5G I think, but even so seems a bit overkill for what should be a simple fit and forget option...

 

[Mike Johnson]

The Aico system may cost more than most, but the system can give you all the information you require without a panel, each individual alarms status can be obtained from the Audio link, if the alarm is one of the 3000 series.

 

[littlespark]

Oh I hate the audio link…. Has it changed much?
Sounds like an old computer game loading from cassette, but at really high volume

Or 56k modem, but I wanted to go further back than that.

 

[Mike Johnson]

Nope still very noisy, but can be downloaded to a computer to a formulated report handy for landlords.

 

[UNG]

Probably a bit too late and/or expensive option would be to replace them all with Aico smart link alarms, which can be polled remotely via the internet, as to which detector caused the alarm, at what time, whether the hush bottom was pressed etc.

The smartlink setup would be an expensive option the alternative with the Aico 3000 series you could use the audiolink to download the info from the suspected detector or all the detectors

---

 

[Mike Johnson]

This is what I get from the Audio Link once downloaded to my laptop.