Domestic Alarms: Quality Comes Before Price

BS 5839-6 sets out recommendations for the design, installation, commissioning and maintenance of fire detection and fire alarm systems in domestic premises, including Grade D1 systems. These use mains-powered alarms with an integral tamper-proof standby battery supply, allowing operation in the event of a mains power failure.

BS 5839-6 addresses the system, but the alarms themselves must also meet the relevant product requirements. Independent product certification affords landlords and installers a way in which to verify that they do.

Product requirements

Domestic smoke alarms are covered by BS EN 14604, heat alarms by BS 5446-2 and CO alarms by BS EN 50291-1. Smoke alarms also fall under the Construction Products Regulation (CPR). They must carry UKCA or CE marking, depending on the market in which they’re placed, and be supported by a Declaration of Performance (DoP) from the manufacturer.

The manufacturer should be able to show a valid Certificate of Constancy of Performance (CoCP) and produce it on request. The CoCP serves as the mandatory third party verification that a construction product reliably meets declared performance characteristics under either the European or UK regulatory frameworks.

The British Standards Institution (BSI) Kitemark is a certification mark that sits alongside this marking. It shows that the BSI has independently assessed a given product against the relevant standard. Certification also involves ongoing audits of manufacturing processes and product conformity so that production standards are maintained beyond the initial assessment.

Product marking and certification

Check the markings on the product itself rather than relying on claims made in marketing materials or on packaging. Look for the UKCA or CE marking and the relevant standard. Where a BSI Kitemark is claimed, confirm with the BSI that the certificate is valid, covers the product concerned and that the manufacturer can produce a CoCP upon request.

Manufactured in-house and independently certified

Aico’s own smoke, heat and CO alarms are wholly manufactured in-house and independently certified by the BSI. By retaining control over the design, manufacturing and testing procedures, we can maintain consistent production processes and respond directly to technical issues.

For installers, using alarms and compatible accessories from a single and trusted manufacturer can simplify specification and installation, while also ensuring ongoing support. It also realises a clear point of contact if technical support should be required at any point.

Purchase price

The initial cost of an alarm is only one consideration. Reliability, installation time, technical support and the cost of return visits all contribute towards the overall cost of an installation.

Problems that installers may encounter with poorly designed or inadequately supported products include:

*unwanted alarms (potentially leading occupants to disconnect or disable equipment)

*premature failures requiring replacement and further site visits

*compatibility issues and failures when interconnecting products from different manufacturers

*inadequate technical documentation, product traceability or technical support

For landlords and contractors, a return visit to an occupied property can involve arranging access, travelling to site, carrying out remedial work and completing further testing procedures. These costs can outweigh the savings made when purchasing the products.

Product conformity and traceability

Smoke alarms placed on the UK market must meet the requirements of the CPR, including marking and the DoP.

Landlords and installers should be able to establish who manufactured or supplied a product, identify the standards it meets and obtain evidence of conformity (such as the DoP for a smoke alarm).

Good traceability is equally important. Should a fault or safety concern occur, clear product identification and installation records make it far easier to identify issues and take appropriate action.

Specification and installation

Before specifying or installing alarms, check the following:

*the product markings (including UKCA or CE marking, the relevant standards and any certification details)

*where a BSI Kitemark is claimed, check that the certificate is valid and covers the product concerned

*that alarms and interconnection accessories are compatible and suitable for the installation

*records of the products installed (including model information and installation dates)

*the price of the product: be cautious where an unusually low price comes with an unidentified manufacturer or with conformity evidence or traceability that cannot be established

Andy Speake is National Technical Manager at Aico (www.aico.co.uk)