Aico Ei151TL Ionisation Smoke Detector

OK, This review is on smoke alarms, this is the point where you stop reading, there is nothing interesting in these reviews, and something automatically stops you reading. Someone's kids will die this Christmas, makes you think doesn't it?

These ones by Aico, The company sounds Japanese, but actually they are from Shropshire. These alarms have all the advantages of a battery model, but are mains powered. These are also known as Hard wired smoke detectors. They are also fitted with a lithium battery as a back up, and this trickle charges from the mains, so you will never have to replace it.

There are different types of detector, these are of the ionisation variety, but that does not concern us. Just accept that they are suited for fast flaming fires, and that the vast majority of smoke alarms in the home are of this type.
The main thing is that they are not some huge industrial looking box of junk making the house look like a factory, they are small, flat to the ceiling, and are white, so they just blend in.

These ones are fitted with a "Hush" button, so in the event of the alarm going off when you know it to be a false alsrm, you just puch the button for silence. It will reset itself after a matter minutes, and in the event of a real fire, i will still sound.

These work long before the smoke gets dangerously thick.
They emit a very loud (85 decibels) piercing warning sound. They are complete with a mounting bracket for fast and easy installation,meet BS5446 PART 1 1990 (Kitemark) these can also be linked together with other alarms in the house.

All new buildings and conversions, now must have mains powered smoke alarms by law. These Aico ones come with a 5 year guarantee which includes the rechargeable batteries. Aico is owned by Ei Electronics, and is firmly established as the first name in residential fire protection in the UK.
They offer high quality, high reliability mains-powered optical smoke alarms, ionisation smoke alarms and also heat alarms

Now for the price, you can buy them for less than £20 or pay £40. There are lots for sale at all the large DIY uperstores. You can also buy them online, but remember the cost of postage.
I advise seeking a decent electrician if you are nor competent.

There is the same amount of maintenance as a light fitting, you just go over it with Hoover when you clean. Testing is best done once a week, which means simply pressing a button.

You may want to have a word with the rest of the family about a Fire Plan, this is just a simple talk about what you would all do, in the case of a fire.

If you don't want the hassle of a hard wired alarm, then get a simple battery operated one, they cost just a few pounds and can be fitted within minutes. An other alternative is to ring your local Fire & Rescue Service, you may well find they will fit one free of charge! It only takes a phone call to find out.

Have a safe and Happy Christmas.