... There are two basic systems according to the Fire Service:
•Ionisation: These are the cheapest and cost very little to purchase. They are very sensitive to small particles of smoke produced by flaming fires, such as chip pans, and will detect this type of fire before the smoke gets too thick. ... Read review
Advantages: No need to keep replacing batteries Disadvantages: You need a suitable light fitting in the right place.
...basic systems according to the Fire Service:
•Ionisation: These are the cheapest and cost very little to purchase. They are very sensitive to small particles of smoke produced by flaming fires, such as chip pans, and will detect this type of fire before the smoke gets too thick. They are marginally less sensitive to slow burning and smouldering fires which give off larger quantities of smoke before flaming occurs.
•Optical: These are ... ...pleased when I saw a Fire Angel Plug-in Smoke Alarm in a catalogue.
==About the Fire Angel Plug-in Smoke Alarm==
Basically this is an Ionisation Alarm that fits into a standard light fitting without any need for DIY skills. If you can change a light bulb you can fit one of these. It fits standard bayonet light fittings and it needs to be in some form of 'open' lamp shade either an uplighter or standard type but it will ... more
I am sure we all know that smoke alarms for the home are a great idea but unless you live in a new home and have one wired in then you need to remember to replace the batteries regularly. My smoke alarms are now quite elderly (20 years+) so I started looking at the options.
I discovered that there are more than just one type of smoke alarm. There are two basic systems according to the Fire Service: •Ionisation: These are the cheapest and cost very little to purchase. They are very sensitive to small particles of smoke produced by flaming fires, such as chip pans, and will detect this type of fire before the smoke gets too thick. They are marginally less sensitive to slow burning and smouldering fires which give off larger quantities of smoke before flaming occurs. •Optical: These are more expensive but more effective at detecting larger particles of smoke produced by slow-burning fires, such as smouldering foam-filled upholstery and overheated PVC wiring. They are marginally less sensitive to free burning flaming fires.
Alternatively there are combined smoke detectors on the market.
It all sounded quite complicated to me and it would appear that to be fully safe you should either get one of each or a combined alarm.
I was happy enough to have two the only problem being that I didn't want too many things fixed to the ceiling so I was quite pleased when I saw a Fire Angel Plug-in Smoke Alarm in a catalogue.
About the Fire Angel Plug-in Smoke Alarm
Basically this is an Ionisation Alarm that fits into a standard light fitting without any need for DIY skills. If you can change a light bulb you can fit one of these. It fits standard bayonet light fittings and it needs to be in some form of 'open' lamp shade either an uplighter or standard type but it will not work in 'globe' type shades.
It is small enough to fit most lanp shades except for very slim ones. It measures around 5" at its widest point so you would need a light shade with at least that diameter. It also lowers the bulb by around 2" so if you have a very short shade the light bulb would be visible below the shade.
Buying the Alarm
As I said I saw the Fire Angel Plug-in alarm in a catalogue that came with my local paper where they were selling it at £24.99 plus postage. However a quick search of the internet told me that other people were selling it for far less including Fire Angel themselves who sell it via their web site. I found that B&Q also stocked it for £17.98 so I reserved a couple online and then collected them from my local store the following day.
In use
Fitting the alarm is very simple indeed. First you unpack it and remove the battery protection. Then just remove your light bulb, fit the Fire Angel into the light socket and then replace the bulb into the base of the Fire Angel. You will then need to charge the batteries in the alarm and you do that by leaving the light on for 8 hours. After that just one hour per week should keep the alarm fully charged.
I fitted mine in the hall and at the top of the stairs. It works for me but just one word of warning, to test the alarm all you need to do is switch the light on and off quickly so if you are likely to do that with a hall light you will set off the alarm - not good if you do it in the early hours when everyone is asleep! Mind you it does make it very easy to test the alarm.
It is a simple idea and effectively gives you a mains supported smoke alarm where the batteries don't need to be replaced each year as they recharge. If you forget to charge the alarm it will give you warning bleeps to alert you.
Would I recommend it?
Yes I would as I think they provide a useful level of cover in the home especially if you aren't good at remembering to replace batteries. Ideally you should also fit an optical alarm to give you more comprehensive cover. The product comes with a 10 year guarantee but you will need to keep your receipt for that time to be covered as other reviewers suggest that they have had problems with the system failing earlier than that. I can't comment as I have only had mine for a few months.
...never do).
We saw the fire angel in Tesco priced £17.99 and immediately thought, what a great idea, so we bought one.
Since installing it we have never had a false alarm and even if you do you can reset it from the light switch.
Below are the details as taken from the manufacturers web site:
FireAngel Plug-In Smoke Alarm
Does not require batteries Plugs directly into a normal bayonet light fitting Can be temporarily silenced via your light switch ... ...No more drills and screws - installing this alarm is as easy as changing a light bulb. Never worry about the batteries going flat, as the unit charges itself through the light socket. And never have to climb a step ladder to test or silence the alarm - this can all be done via your normal light switch.
New Security Collar
This security collar has been designed to stop unauthorised removal of the alarm from the light fitting, whilst retaining the ...
bobd 23.08.2003
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Fire Angel Plug-in Smoke Alarm
Easy to install
Battery life
Value for Money
Quick review of Fire Angel Plug-in Smoke Alarm
I purchased two of these devices in December 2007, plugged in the first one and it worked fine, but didn't install the second one in another part of the house until a couple of months later. The second one would started chirping within a few minutes of the initial 8-hour charging period being completed and would not charge.
By this time I had lost my receipt, so I contacted Fire Angel directly, who told me although they give a 10-year guarantee, without a receipt they can do nothing.
Unless you want to keep a till receipt for 10 years, I suggest you buy something else. ...
StanB 16.04.2008
Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Fire Angel Plug-in Smoke Alarm
Quick review of Fire Angel Plug-in Smoke Alarm
I've had mine for about 3 years and the battery has stopped recharging and so I was gettng a continual beeping.
Removed device from light fitting last night and it is still beeping 24 hours later.
On the detector it says "replace detector by the year 2013".
Unfortunately, didn't keep the packaging.
3 stars for 3 years. ...
jayemm 24.09.2008
Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Fire Angel Plug-in Smoke Alarm
Advantages: None Disadvantages: It does not last and the company is not keen to enhance their reputation.
FireAngel PS101 - It is an ionisation type of smoke alarm so may not detect slow burning fires. That was news to me. It has worked well for a couple of years but then the battery life has gradually decreased until now it will not last more than a few hours after the light has been turned off. It starts chirping in the middle of the night to say that the battery is low. Yes it has been charged for a long time. I no longer have the receipt. I called ... ...not been manufacturing these for 10 years (the length of the warranty) so I thought I was in luck because they would not need proof of date of purchase. However, despite the fact that they clearly know that I deserve a replacement they will not honour their warranty. I can't produce the paperwork so technically they can leave me with a useless smoke alarm. Their warranty has served its purpose - I thought "10 years - must be reliable". Sadly, this ...
robbed 05.07.2007
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Fire Angel Plug-in Smoke Alarm
Advantages: Great concept Disadvantages: Poor (rechargeable) battery life; does not fit some shades; cannot silence it
The Fire Angel PS-101 is a brilliant idea, but does tend to give problems after some use. I installed two in 2002, but within 4 years one of them was giving full-volume beeps although adequately recharged - and the only way to silence was with a hammer. Bought a replacement (pair!). The other one failed after 6 years of use.
Also, the 10-year warranty is VERY limited: not only do you have to send the device to them at your cost (and with proof of ...
heraldstar 15.11.2008
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful Review of Fire Angel Plug-in Smoke Alarm
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