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Fire Alarms – Fire Alarm Product Comparison Guide

Visit Our Fire & Smoke Alarms Section To View Our Product Range 

Types of Fire Alarms

Smoke Alarms

There are two different types of smoke alarm sensor available, both of which are equally effective but are sensitive to different types of fire and smoke. Hence, for maximum safety, it may be a good idea to install both types of alarm to ensure that any fire is detected quickly, regardless of type.

·         Ionisation Alarm – Ionisation technology is particularly sensitive to small particles, which are produced in large quantities by ‘flaming fires’, fires that consume combustible materials and spread quickly. For example, oil catching fire in a frying pan or paper burning in a waste basket would be detected quickly by this type of alarm.

·         Photoelectric Alarm – Photoelectric technology is more sensitive to large particles which are produced mainly by smouldering fires. These are fires that smoulder for a long period of time before actually bursting into flame, such as a cigarette butt slowly burning into bedding, carpet or furniture.

Heat Alarms

Conventional ionisation or photoelectrical alarms may cause problems in areas such as lofts, garages and kitchens where dust, fumes and non-dangerous smoke can trigger them and continually set the alarm off. In these cases, a heat alarm is better, and they are in fact required under the latest Building Regulations.

Heat alarms use advanced thermistor technology which is the most reliable method of heat detection available today – varying electrical resistance in a semi-conductor is used by thermistors to detect temperature changes. The alarms are pre-set to sound when the temperature reaches a fixed point, between 54ºC and 70ºC.

Carbon Monoxide Alarms

Fire brigades recommend using a carbon monoxide alarm alongside a conventional photoelectric or ionisation one, particularly due to the increasing European restrictions on the use of ionisation sensor-based alarms alone.

Carbon monoxide alarms work by electrochemically converting carbon monoxide, a deadly poisonous gas given off by fires, to carbon dioxide, which generates an electrical current. The current is used to measure the concentration of carbon monoxide (CO) in the atmosphere and will sound the alarm if the levels are too high.

Carbon monoxide alarms are available both as battery or mains powered alarms, and typically need replacing every 5 years.

Comparing Fire Alarms

Choosing a fire alarm is not something to be taken lightly – fire alarms can and do save lives, so it is imperative that you invest in a high quality alarm (or even multiple types of alarms) to protect your property, yourself and your family.

To help you choose the right alarm for you, please see the table below which compares the specifications of different alarms by top fire alarm brands such as Dicon, Aico and Firex.

 

Manufacturer Comparison 

Product	DICON	AICO	KIDDE	FIREX	SENSO	SECTOR	NEW	WF	DETA	ELECT
Ionisation    Range
Mains + 9V Back Up	670 MBX	EI141	ISF23 9HI	4870	3820	SD3+	3631	6638	1111	5060
Mains Only	670 M	EI150 / EI140	123i	4850	3820L	SD5	3632	6639		5050
Mains+Recharg. Capacitor Back Up	670 MC					SD4				5080
Mains+Recharg. Lithium Back Up	670 MRL	151/161	ISF23/ 9HIR	4881	3820LR	SD14RC				5070
Battery Only	M300	100B	0914UKC	4800	3120	SD1	3630	6637	1101	5040
Battery -10 Year Lithium	SA900				3120FC				1103
Base for Mains Units	CB232	157/127	SMK23	4890	PAT	SM1	3633	6760	1110	5045
Photoelectric Range
Mains + 9V Back Up	650 MBX	146	2SF23/9HI	4973	5820				1113
Mains Only	650 M	155/145	223i	4953	5820L	SD13				5051
Mains + Recharg Capacitor Back Up	650 MC					SD6				5081
Mains + Recharg Lithium back Up	650 MRL	156TLH /166RC	2SF23/9HIR	4985	5820LR	SD15RC				5071
Mains + Alkaline Batt. Back Up	7010BE	See 650mbx
Mains + Lithium Batt. Back Up	7010LBE	See 650mbx10		4973L
Battery + Long Life Lithium (10 y)	Sa410LLi				5120
Heat Range Mains+ 9V  Back Up	680 MBX	144	3SF23/9HI	4899	7820			4303	1115
Mains Only	680 M
Mains +Recharg.Capacitor Back Up	680 MC				7820L
Mains + Recharg.Lithium Back Up	680MRL	154TL /164RC	3SF23/9HIR	4892	7820LR
Product	DICON	AICO	KIDDE	FIREX	SENSO	SECTOR	NEW	WF	DETA	ELECT
Wireless Bases
Radio Frequency Bases	CB600RF	168RC			PATWFL
Carbon Monoxide
Battery Only	CO4000EN	205ENA	900-0259		4CB	SCO850B	3621N	7543	1123	5041
Mains Powered with Interlink	CO850MI	225EN				SCO850MI	3620N	4305	1121	5091
Mains Powered with 9V Alkaline Batt.Back Up	CO850mbxi		900-0211UK				3624	4306		5090
Mains Powered with Tamper-proof Rechargeable Lithium cells	CO850mrli	261ENRC	423/9hir
Pattresses
Surface Bases	CB232	157/127	SMK23	4890	PAT	SM1	3633	6760	1110	5045
Relay Bases	CB300	128R	SMK23R