At home, a fire often starts while we are asleep or out. A smoke alarm gives early warning, before the smoke spreads. There are two types of equipment, for two different situations.
Stand-alone alarm or system with a control panel?
A home smoke alarm follows the EN 14604 standard: it works on its own, with its own siren, and can be linked by radio to other alarms so that they all sound together. A building's fire detection system, on the other hand, has a control panel, detectors, call points and sounders certified to the EN 54 series of standards, and is what is used in shops, offices, hotels and public buildings.
| Home alarm | System with control panel | |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | EN 14604 (smoke) | EN 54 (series) |
| Control panel | None | Yes, and it shows where the problem is |
| Where it is used | Houses and flats | Shops, offices, hotels and public buildings |
Carbon monoxide
Carbon monoxide (CO) has no colour and no smell. It forms when something burns badly, for example in a water heater, a boiler or a fireplace with poor ventilation. A home CO alarm follows the EN 50291-1 standard and sounds before the gas reaches dangerous levels. Some alarms combine smoke, heat and CO.
Where to place the alarms
- On the ceiling, or high on the wall, in hallways and near bedrooms.
- At least one per floor, and one in each bedroom if possible.
- Away from the kitchen and bathroom, where steam can cause false alarms.
- The CO alarm near fuel-burning appliances and near bedrooms.
Do alarms have an expiry date?
Yes. Alarms and batteries must be tested and replaced according to the manufacturer's instructions, which are in the manual and on the device itself.
Does a smoke alarm work for CO?
No. Smoke and carbon monoxide are detected in different ways: you need a CO alarm or a combined model.