Local Building Regulations

In new build, to comply with the Building Regulations (Approved Document B),
in England and Wales, or in Scotland the Technical Standards (Parts D and E) 
 you must use hard wired AC products only.  The same applies in N. Ireland
& Eire under their local Regulations; see below for more data.

See our " Useful Links " page for web links to the Government Authorities for
England & Wales/Scotland/N. Ireland & Eire, where you can download the relevant documents.

If in doubt always seek advice before commencing the specification process.
Rectification after the event will always be more costly.

Benefits of BS Kitemarking

Kidde's manufacturing facilities are ISO approved, and the alarms we offer
are assessed against the relevant British Standards, and BSI Kitemarked.
3rd party accreditation is central to Kidde's Quality ethos.

Unlike some products which may just say "Made to/Complies with", our
products & plants have been subjected to BSI's rigorous ongoing assessment regime.
This also entails the plants being regularly examined by BSI Inspectors
on a random/unannounced basis.

In todays increasingly litigious society, we believe it is prudent to only use products which have
a known & recognised Approval, if only to minimise your own legal exposure.

Advice on Type Selection

 
This is a key area, and you should seek the advice of local professionals.
Such sources as Local fire service/Building Control at Local Councils, Electrical Installers.

However, this web site/allied to our Literature/Manuals may well provide you with the answers you need.

No one type of alarm is suitable for every type of fire -
ideally therefore, you will be using a combination of all three
to provide maximum protection ie Ion, Optical & Heat.

Ions are more susceptible to nuisance alarms from steam & invisible cooking particles.
They are best at detecting flaming fires eg as you could have with an electrical appliance.

Photo Electric {Optical} are less prone to nuisance alarm in the above situations,
and are best at detecting slow smouldering fires
eg as you could have with a furniture/bedding fire.

If fitting just one per floor, use each alarm type,
the Optical is best suited to downstairs, with the Ion at the top of the stairs.
Kidde additionally recommend every bedroom is protected.
Most fires occur at night and therefore every alarm interconnected will sound
as soon as smoke is detected.
Vital minutes can be saved  in arranging an escape from the property.

Heat Alarms {Fixed Point} do not suffer nuisance alarms and are triggered
when a temperature  of 57_⁰C (132F) is reached.

Typical applications are the Kitchen {the source of most residential fires},
loft spaces, garages and in the main living room.

Integral Garages are often located under Bedrooms and typically
contain numerous flammable products
eg., paint/petrol/paraffin/cardboard/barebecue fuel/LPG bottles etc etc.

Heat Alarms are required under the Building Regulation /Standards for England
& Wales, N Ireland, & Eire.

They must always be interconnected to the other installed smoke alarms in the property.

Carbon Monoxide Alarms are not used to detect fire, only CO.
However, they may be interconnected to Smoke & Heat alarms,
for comprehensive protection against CO & Fire.