House Fire | Smoke Alarms Not Working

[@Adam-ej1vg]

Great reality check on fire safety; the minimum requirement is not the best way forward in most cases. In many instances, when contractors recommend a comprehensive system, they can be viewed as being excessive or worse. In reality, I believe that it shows true concern by the contactor. The question is, how can we educate our customers in a clear easy to understand format that they believe?

[@DanstheEngineer]

This comment resonates and I agree. It is really difficult because many clients are completely led by cost without realising the difference between systems. I also have seen larger and well known organisations word their quotations without detail on purpose to win the work rather than provide what is best. I personally have found each client I speak to has to have some sort of educational talk about detectors and systems, what is minimum but what is a better solution. Fortunately most of my clients come to me due to reputation so this isn't too difficult but I have always explained what others tend to do and how I spend most of my time upgrading new installs thats are not fit for purpose. They tend to confident in my knowledge. I also have no problem quoting the minimum with disclaimers if it is something I am comfortable installing with a recommend system as another option or refusing to quote like for like against others quotes if it isnt fit for purpose and explaining why. It is a hard slog to educate.

[@Cablesmith]

Welcome back dan ! your right, the minimum isn’t necessarily the best option. The hard part is getting somebody to pay for more than that. mostly because everybody thinks “it won’t happen to us, we won’t have a house fire”

[@DanstheEngineer]

Sadly that generally tends to be the attitude!

[@alunstone]

Interesting what you said about the co2 alarm,they do sometimes activate before a smoke alarm .A number of years ago my neighbour had a fire in their house and because I had the kitchen window open,the co2 alarm in my house activated. I went to investigate and saw smoke from their kitchen,they had no smoke alarms at all. Luckily no one was hurt and the fire was contained,but it does show the importance of alarms for early warning.

[@dariusparker894]

Ive had fires it’s not a nice experience and I want a full alarm system put in when older for peace of mind

[@dptransportvideos2752]

It drives me insane how our fire and rescue service go round and install un-linked fireangles into vulnerable people's houses!! It's the lack of education in the industry that needs addressing. At least Aico are taking a lead with the radio link technology. Stand alone alarms should be banned from sale IMO.

[@DanstheEngineer]

It has always baffled me too because it leads the home owner to believe their system is robust when often it isn't. My home is a prime example when I moved in. Had stand alone top and bottom but its quite a complicated layout.

[@robertsadler1916]

Hi Dan. We are currently helping raise awareness with a letting agent with regards to electrical safety and fire/CO detection. We are try to show them that by exceeding the minimum standards, how much more protection they have for both the tenant and the landlord.

[@DanstheEngineer]

That's great 👌 I don't think many landlords know they are liable despite legislation in England being rather poor. Agents don't help because they are generally clueless about compliance and fire and electrical safety. They read from online articles that do not give a true description of what is required.

[@robertsadler1916]

Dans the Engineer To be fair to this letting agent, they have sat up and listen to us. They admit they are guided by the electrician they employ, but they only work to minimum standards, and therefore do not advise on best practice. We don’t work for this letting agent, and don’t want to, but are trying to help them make sure the contractors they use are competent at what they do. They can then give the landlord recommendations above minimum standards and reasons why they should do more. Guidance that is out there is very poor and misleading for landlords and letting agents, especially if they are being guided by someone not really in a position to guide them.

[@DanstheEngineer]

@@robertsadler1916 that's really interesting and also common. It is ironic that the agent engages the electrician for advice but the law stipulates that its the agent that should be advising the electrician 🤦‍♂️

[@VillainGang.]

Hello Dan, I thinking for LD1 for 2 storey house (2people) like future proof install before renovation. Is it overkill or will be like standard in future in next let say 20 years?? Thank you

[@DanstheEngineer]

To be honest Viliam, it isn't difficult to install retrofit detectors providing the local lighting has a permanent line, neutral and CPC due to how devices can be radio interlinked. The level of detection has increased over time and I cannot see it decreasing. So installing provisions isn't a bad idea.