Installing your battery powered smoke alarm

The below provides an overview of installing your smoke alarm, but please refer to each alarm’s installation manual for tailored guidance.

Which room can I install this smoke alarm?

This smoke alarm can be fitted in living rooms, bedrooms, hallways, landings and dining rooms. If you’re looking for an alarm to detect fire in your kitchen, utility room, attic or garage then check out our range of heat alarms.

How many alarms do I need to install?

The law and recommendations for the number of smoke alarms required are specific to the area you live in and your property type.

For the fastest detection of fire we recommend you install a smoke alarm in the circulation space on each level of the home (hallway and landing) as well as in living spaces and bedrooms. We would install these alongside heat alarms in the kitchen, garage and attic and have the alarms interlinked so that if one alarm sounds, they all sound.

Where should I position the smoke alarm?

If you’re installing the alarm on a ceiling, then it should be at least 300mm from light fitting and walls – if possible in the centre of the room.

If you’re installing the alarm on a wall then you will need to ensure the alarm is 300mm from the nearest wall, and between 150mm and 300mm below the ceiling.

Smoke alarms should be positioned at no more than 600mm vertically below the highest point in the room.

Installing your alarm

1. The alarm will be supplied with a base plate which can be secured to the ceiling or a wall. Break out the tabs from the base plate and then use the fixing slots on the base plate as a guide when marking the position of the drill holes. With an appropriately sized drill, drill the holes and insert the plastic fixing anchors supplied (if needed).
2. Fit the base plate to the ceiling or wall using the screws provided
3. If your alarm is not a sealed battery alarm, then install the batteries following the steps within the manual.
4. To fit to the smoke alarm to the base plate, position the alarm on the base plate then twist it clockwise until the alarm is locked in position. Make sure the alarm is twisted on fully.

The battery will now activate. The red indicator LED on the front of the alarm should flash approximately once every 45 seconds to show that the alarm is active.

WARNING: Removing the smoke alarm from its base plate will deactivate the unit and prevent it from detecting smoke.

After fitting the alarm to the base plate, wait for 5 seconds for the alarm to settle, then test the alarm. See alarm testing.