Safelincs

Hi Amanda There is really just one thing you can do, and that is to get a Gas Safe certified plumber/fitter out to check your boiler. In the meantime it would be advisable to leave the boiler off. Harry

Hi Dan, we have written a short help guide on CO detection. It also explains what to do when you detect CO. Also make sure that your CO alarm has not exceeded its lifetime (between 5 and 10 years, depending from model). Harry

Hi Bob You need a fire door closer with adjustable latching action. You can then control the final closing action of the fire door (last 10-15 degrees of movement) rather than slamming the fire door all the way. A recommendation would be the GEZE TS1500 Harry

Yes, incense does produce carbon monoxide (CO) and is actually used as a source of carbon monoxide to test a carbon monoxide alarm. However, I would expect an alarm rather than a chirp once a minute if the levels of CO were high. The chirp you have observed indicates either an error (eg due to the age of the alarm) or a low battery. You need to either change your alarm or replace the battery. Harry

Thanks, Tom

Hi I am looking for views, please. We were just asked the following questions: "To save energy in your home you can line your curtains with fleece to keep the heat it. However, is this a fire hazard - any more so than standard curtains?" Thanks for any comments Harry

Hi Neil I am a bit stumped by your issues. The back-up batteries should last longer, although the recommendation is to change annually to avoid the annoying beeps in the middle of the night in the first place. An upgrade to the Ei160 series would certainly fix the issue for good. Ei140 and Ei160 series can be mixed in a system, although you will lose some of the advanced communication features of the Ei160 series. There are two reasons for mains-powered smoke alarms: a) Many battery powered smoke alarms are left disabled after the battery has been removed to silence, for example, a low battery warning. The owner might simply have forgotten to replace the battery. Mains power obviously overcomes the issue. b) Mains powered smoke alarms are usually interconnected. If one alarm detects fire, the entire alarm network goes off. This helps to notify you of a fire should, for example, you be in bed and a fire is starting in your kitchen. Harry

Hi Ian, the alarms should be replaced after 10 years, as they start to become less reliable after that period. Replacement heads are available (no electrician needed) Harry

Hi Louise, you can get specific cigarette smoke alarms. Some are so sensitive that they can even detect cigarette smoke traces in the breath of people after the cigarette is extinguished. Harry

Hi Forrest Fire We certainly would not recommend powder in a living space, a dry water mist would be a lot more appropriate (good for all common risks incl 230V electrical equipment with minimum damage to room). Not sure if I would go as far as to throw all existing powder extinguishers out, though. Maybe more a case of replacement when it comes to 5 years of age rather than re-filling at that point. Harry

Hi The first step is to take the alarm down. Please see our range of videos showing you how to remove the various smoke alarm models. Check that the alarm is no older than 10 years, as it would need replacing in that case. If the battery can be removed, please replace battery. When taking the alarm down and the battery out, did the beeping stopped? The beeping may be down to another device in the property. We would recommend checking if you have an old battery smoke alarm or a CO alarm in the property that may be the cause of the beeping. Also check the Wiring as there may be a loose connection. You will need to consult an Electrician in your area Harry

Hi Steven As you have changed the Alarm it sound like there’s an issue with the cable or power supply. Was the Base plate changed as well? I have attached a couple Of Technical Bulletin which may help If nothing else helps, please ring Tel: 01691 664100 Harry No.19e Power supplies for Grade D alarms - IEE Regulations.pdf No.21a Wiring Smoke Heat Alarms - Alternative Energy Sources.pdf

Please note that the Ei151TL ionisation alarm is now discontinued and customers need to consider their options. The Ei140 and Ei160 series can be fitted in place of an Ei150 series alarm. Different alarms from the Ei150/Ei140/Ei160 series will gracefully communicate with each other on the old existing wiring. Even the new Ei160e series will communicate with the older series. There is even a specific Easichange kit to allow the conversion from Ei150 to Ei160 series. Ei151/Ei150 Ei154 Ei156 You need to keep in mind, though, that the old Ei150 series connector plug will have to be removed and that the footprint of the Ei140 and Ei160s is circular rather than rectangular, so a bit of repainting of the ceiling might be necessary. The Easichange kits mentioned here contain an masking plate to cover the ceiling and hide any blemishes. Harry

You would be welcome to contact our wholesale division at Safelincs who, I know, have very good trade prices. Contact Stuart Baxter stuart@safelincs.co.uk Harry

Hi Theresa It is indeed safe to put the power back on. The base will be fine without the alarm on the base. Harry

Hi Peggy CO alarms become unstable once they are out of date and yours would have been 3 years overdue, so it is not surprising that your alarm was false alarming. New Fireangel CO alarms have a 7 or even 10 years lifespan and warranty, as the technology has evolved which helps to reduce costs. Harry

Hi Rich Two possibilities: 1) if its an ionisation alarm (Ei141/Ei161/Ei151), an alarm test can take 10-15 seconds, quite a bit longer than for optical alarms, for example (Ei146, Ei166, Ei156). This could give the impression that the units are not working. 2) make sure the alarm is back on the ceiling when testing. Sometimes people replace the backup batteries of the Ei140 series and test the units while in their hand Other than that there is no reason why the system should not be working. It would then be a case to claim against your 5 year warranty either with aico or with your retailer. Harry

Hi Andy This balance has to be struck by yourself. If this issue is affecting your family, the money for a new lock is possibly a price worth paying. Harry

Hi Andy I think you are over-interpreting each other's actions. This type of situation repeats in most households. If this is important to you, though, you could ask a locksmith to fit the door with a thumb turn override lock on the inside. Your family can then open the door from inside without a key. Harry

I would say this is about the going rate. I t probably depends from your contracts whether they have to inform you beforehand. Do they inform you about any other work being carried out? Harry

Yes you do if you service an extinguisher in accordance with British Standards. For this you require a powder suction machine with refill capability. Not something I would recommend until you had some training.

Cut off one leg from a dense pair of jeans, sew one end of the leg closed and fix the other end round the hose with a rubber band. Now tip the extinguisher upside down. The only powder that will be expelled when you trigger the extinguisher will be the powder in the dip tube. If you are trying to re-pressurise the extinguisher, please be aware that it is difficult to make the extinguisher air tight again, as the powder residue on the valve can lead to leaks. Wear a face mask while you are doing this, just in case powder gets into the air. Harry

Hi Sardac The water mist extinguishers would be well suited in such an application. They cover soft furnishing fires as well as a potential spill of the kerosene or other fuel. Due to the many unknowns I would go for the largest version (6 litres). A great advantage of water mist in this setting is that the water mist jet cannot injure a person, can be used on a person with clothing on fire and causes minimal damage to anything in the building. Equally, a malicious release of the extinguisher causes minimum harm. The extinguishers are also ideal for untrained persons as the cloud of mist creates a cooling barrier between the person using the extinguisher and the fire. The pressure in the extinguisher is 12 bar Harry

Hi Sardac The pressure is 12 bar. Please see filling instructions for water mist extinguishers. It is crucial to use de-ionised water for any refill to ensure the non-conducting properties of the water is maintained. Ordinary water would conduct electricity! Harry

Hi, as it involves work on live electrical wires you will need an electrician Harry