Smoke alarm near consumer unit

[Guest NickyW]

We are buying a new build with a smoke alarm in the kitchen and hallway. But I want an extra device under the stairs where the consumer unit and meters are.
Do i need a heat alarm or smoke or combined? Also is the optical the same as the photoelectric? Thanks Nicky

[Safelincs]

Hi Nicky

You should select an optical smoke alarm, which by the way is the same as a photoelectric smoke alarm (they 'see' the smoke). Optical alarms are good for smouldering fires such as caused by electrical equipment. They also are less likely to give false alarms near a kitchen. In your case I would go for the pure optical alarm and not a combined optical/heat alarm.

Harry