updates on sparksdirect, including the twitter account

We apologize for not updating this account with news concerning the lighting industry, the news concerning what’s going on both online and at sparksdirect.co.uk. We are writing almost daily on our other blog, blog.sparskdirect.co.uk, and recently we have opened the twitter account – follow us on twitter. Many times it is so much easier to

• express what you think about certain technologies / items
• update the people concerning some promotions and reduced prices
• introduce certain new items and new technologies
• simply thank the customers and visitors on the site
• make short announcements about… the schedule, customer relations
• simply remind the people about the address where they can find us
• present the british standards and the current regulations
• introduce the articles we regularly write on our blog

and many other short / brief ideas / promotions / announcements – via twitter, in 140 characters!

Also, we invite you to read some of our latest articles, like:

• Checkpoint alarm confirmation and HMO’s: Eliminate the problem of false alarms – With the Rafiki Twinflex Solutions, you have a ‘Checkpoint’ alarm confirmation and HMO’s and you eliminate the problem of false alarms in: Hostels, Nursing Homes, Flats, Hotels, Bedsits, B&B’s, etc.
• User responsibilities in the testing and maintenance of the fire alarm system – In a case of a fire alarm, and not only, the following rules are the general User Responsibilities for Fire Systems;
• Rafiki: Manual Call Points, Automatic Detectors, Smoke and heat detectors, cabling – This article is a continuation of the series of advices given by Rafiki, starting with the fire risk assessment and Fire Detection & Alarm Systems BS5839, and continuing with the system zoning, manual call points, automatic detectors, smoke detectors, heat detectors, detection in apex roofs, fire alarm sounders, and cabling.
• Fire Detection & Alarm Systems BS5839, fire risk assessment & system zoning, Rafiki – In order to aid identification of the source of a possible fire, the protected building should be divided into ‘zones’.  When deciding on a suitable zoning scheme for a building, consideration should be given to the size, any existing fire routines, escape routes, zone accessibility, and structural fire compartmentation;
• Introducing Rafiki Twinflex, conventional fire alarm systems, multipoint – In this article we would like to introduce Rafiki TwinFlex: The Twinflex conventional fire alarm system incorporating the Multipoint combined smoke and heat detector with built in sounder means the whole system can be installed using only one pair of wires.
• Devimat is the perfect choice for your well being, DEVI floor heating – The high quality mats as well as the full range of powerful electronic temperature controls make the DEVI floor heating the perfect choice for your ultimate comfort.
• Electrical floor heating with Devimat, under-floor heating for all-year-round housewarming – Enjoy the all year housewarming: Intelligent heating. The thin Devimat heating mats only take up 3mm (this means that the height of your floor will be lifted no more than 8-10 mm, making a DEVI thin floor system perfect; example: for the renovation purposes).
• recessed downlight in white or satin chrome finish, adjustable recessed spotlight – Some prefer the chandeliers, other the pendants, and still others, at least in certain venues, choose the recessed spotlights – even the flush lights – for illuminating the room.
• Desk fans, fans for home and fans for the office, fixed and oscilating fans – One of the most used ventilation solutions is the Desk Fans, Wall Fans, Pedestal Fans – domestic oscillating fans. Get an air cooling solution at an affordable price via Sparksdirect – see below to see the available models(the 12inches desk and wall fans and the 16inches desk fan).
• Fans and portable air conditioning solutions, desk fans and dehumifiers, air conditioners – Especially now, with the unexpected coming of the summer heat, there is a great need for air conditioning and movement solutions. Air movement and oscillation are important to every building – and via SparksDirect you have a way to meet a variety of heating and ventilation needs. Our air movement products promise increased comfort and hygiene in the office or at home.

and many more other interesting articles about the desk fans, the ventilation fans, ceiling lights, underfloor heating, intelligent heating, the DEVI floor heating, the Rafiki alarms, the Rafiki twinflex, etc – on our blog. Soon, more about the CO alarms, the Rafiki conventional alarms systems, etc.

Aico heat and smoke detectors and RadioLINK, questions and answers, FAQ

Everybody knows/has seen the fire alarms/the smoke alarms/the heat alarms installed in different places in a building, and we all kindda know what are they, how do they look like, what is their function, maybe even how to install it/take it off. Well, for those that want to know more about the Aico Smoke alarms and heat alarms, there is a quite comprehensive guide/FAQ that answers to at least 34 of your questions. Actually, this guide is not just for the Aico Fire Alarms, but the principles presented here can be applied to any smoke alarm / fire alarm / heat alarm / CO alarm for domestic use. Here are some of the most “ardent” questions(a brief answer to them can be found by visiting the link):

1. What are the fire alarm requirements for New – Build properties?
2. What is a Grade D system?
3. What do LD2 and LD3 mean?
4. What are the requirements for existing properties?
5. What is a Fire Risk Assessment?
6. If I install an LD2 level of cover can this remove my responsibilities to conduct a Fire Risk Assessment?
7. What do I need to do to address the requirements of ‘special needs’ people or groups?
8. What types of sensor are available?
9. How do Aico Ei Ionisation and Optical Smoke Alarms work?
10. What are the advantages and disadvantages of both sensor types?
11. How do Aico Ei Heat Alarms work?
12. Which Alarm should I use where?
13. Where should alarms be sited?
14. How many do I need?
15. Where shouldn’t the Aico Smoke Alarms be sited?
16. Will they always work?
17. What cable do I need for the Aico Mains connections and where should the supply be taken from?
18. What cable do I need for the interconnect line?
19. How do I mount the Aico Alarms on the ceiling?
20. Can I fit the Aico Smoke or Heat Alarm on the wall?
21. How many Aico Smoke and Heat Alarms can I link together?
22. Can I use a relay to signal other devices?
23. Can I use the relay to connect to a 24 Volt Fire Alarm System?
24. How often should they be tested?
25. Should they be tested with smoke/heat?
26. What maintenance schedule is recommended?
27. How long will the battery last?
28. How will I know if the battery has failed?
29. How long do Aico Smoke Alarms last?
30. How do I stop nuisance alarms?
31. What is the radiation risk from Aico Ionisation Smoke Alarms?
32. How do I dispose of redundant Aico Ei alarms that contain a NiCad battery?
33. Are the Aico Ei alarms with rechargeable Lithium Cells compatible with previous models?
34. Why choose Aico Ei Professional Smoke Alarms?

You can also find this Aico Smoke/Heat alarms FAQ on fire-detect.co.uk or on sparksdirect blog, part 1 and part 2.

RadioLINK - what is it? The name says it all: a linking of the fire alarms/smoke alarms/heat alarms via a radio frequency. But what are the implications? How to be set up? What is this technology? What are some applications? Does it respect the actual BS? These questions and some other more are being answered in the RadioLINK FAQ(on the fire-detect.co.uk):

1. What is RadioLINK?
2. Which Aico Smoke/Heat alarms can be used with RadioLINK?
3. Do I have to wire the alarms at all?
4. What benefit is there in RadioLINK if I still have to connect the to the mains?
5. How can the alarms interconnect without a cable connection?
6. Will interference from other RF devices be a problem?
7. Will security systems and car alarms affect the smoke alarm system?
8. How far will the radio signal travel?
9. If all the alarms can interlink how can I stop the next door sounding the ones in my house?
10. Can you use RadioLINK to interconnect between as well as within properties?
11. How will I know if the RF interconnect line has failed?
12. Are the RadioLINK units kitemarked to BS 5446: Pt.1?
13. To which standards does the Ei168RC conform?
14. Is RadioLINK suitable for use in all properties?
15. How many alarms can be interconnected using RadioLINK?
16. Is there any method of controlling a RadioLINK system?
17. BS 5839: Pt.6: says that all alarms must be on one final circuit. Will RadioLINK comply with this?
18. Can the smoke alarms be connected on different phases of the mains supply?

Aico fire alarms, Aico smoke alarms, Aico ionisation alarms, Aico optical alarms: what is the difference?

On this website introducing the Aico fire alarms we see a lot of different types of detectors for domestic use, like the:

• Aico smoke detectors;
• Aico heat detectors;
• Aico ionisation alarms;
• Aico optical alarms;
• Aico CO alarms;
• Aico multi-sensor alarms;

and some others. Many people would ask: what is the difference between these different types of fire alarms, since it looks like, from their description, that they do approximately the same things? What is the difference between the smoke alarms and the heat alarms? What is the difference between the ionisation alarms and the optical alarms? What is the difference between the heat alarms and the optical alarms? What is the difference between the optical alarms and the smoke alarms? What is the difference between the ionisation alarms and the smoke alarms?

To make things just a little clearer than before, there are 5 types of alarms:

• Fire alarms – alarms that detect the fire in a building. These alarms are more rare and general, since there is the need to detect not only the fire that can start in a building, but even the smoke or the high level of heat.
• Heat alarms – alarms that detect the rise of the temperature, which can be due to the start of a fire, the over-heating in a room, the heat in the kitchen, etc.
• Smoke alarms – alarms that detect the rise of the smoke level in a certain venue; the smoke can be due to the fire ignited in the room, etc;
• Multi-sensor alarm – alarms that detect both the heat and the smoke in a room, using both a ionisation and an optical sensor.
• CO alarms – alarm detecting the rise of the carbon monoxide level in a room.

Concerning the types of sensors an Aico fire/smoke/heat alarm uses, there are 4 types of sensors:

• Optical sensor – optical alarms – A light beam is pulsed in the sensor chamber every 10 seconds to “look/search” for smoke. Any smoke present has to be visible to the naked eye so that the receptor may “see” it. If no smoke is detected, the alarm will remain in a standby state. When large particle smoke is detected, the light beam will be scattered onto the light receptor. This will then send an electrical signal to the IC (Integrated Circuit). If two consecutive signals are received by the IC, the alarm will sound.
  - This type of sensor can be used in the heat alarms(Aico Ei146 and Aico Ei166RC).
  
• Ionisation sensor – ionisation alarms – There is a minute(safe) radioactive (inside the sensor chamber) which ionises the air within. This causes a small current to flow in the chamber, and this current remains constant for the life of the alarm (unless some smoke particles enter into the sensor chamber). When / if smoke enters the sensor chamber, the balance of the current is disturbed. This disturbance is detected by the electronics in the alarm circuitry, and the Integral Circuit(IC) is being sent a signal. When the signal is received, the alarms sounds.
  - This type of sensor can be used in the smoke alarms(Aico Ei141 and Aico Ei161RC).
• Heat sensor – heat alarms – A thermistor (a heat sensitive resistor) is sited in the sensor chamber of the alarm. When the temperature rises, the resistance of the thermistor reduces. The IC continuously monitors the resistance of the thermistor. When this indicates that the temperature is over 54° C, the IC sends a signal to the sounder circuit. The alarm sounder then operates – the alarm rings.
  - This type of sensor can be used in the heat alarms (Aico Ei144 and Aico Ei164RC).
  
• CO sensor – carbon monoxide alarms – Detects the CO level and rings the alarm if the level is too high.
  - This type of sensor can be used in the CO alarms (Aico Ei261 and Aico Ei205).

For more information about all these Aico Alarms, visit our online store, or consult the articles concerning the Fire alarms, Fire Design, Fire Detectors, Fire safety, Aico alarms, Heat detectors, etc.

fire-detect.co.uk – Aico smoke alarms, heat alarms, optical alarms, CO alarms and ionisation alarms

A new website online – introducing the Aico range of fire alarms, smoke alarms, ionisation alarms, optical alarms, multi-sensor alarms, CO alarms, etc. Many are confused when they think: what should I choose for the detecting of the heat/fire/smoke for my house/office? – so we put together this website for helping you to choose from a professional range, Aico Ei, of fire detectors. Basically, there are 4 types of alarms:

• Aico smoke alarms – Particularly sensitive to the almost invisible smoke produced by fast flaming fires; this makes them more liable to false alarm due to cooking fumes if placed close to kitchens
• Aico heat alarms – Recommended to be used in a fire alarm system that includes also smoke alarms; all the alarms have to be interconnected. To be placed in: kitchens, even living rooms, etc;
• Aico CO alarms – Mains powered CO alarm, with rechargeable Li cells battery and CO sensor. Easy to use, has a hush button; can be mounted on walls or ceilings. Can be interconnected with the other mains Ei alarms.

On the other hand, there are different types of detectors, that is:

• heat detector – heat sensor – used in the heat alarms(Aico Ei2110, Aico Ei144 and Aico Ei164RC);
• optical detector – optical sensor – used in the smoke alarms(Aico Ei2110, Aico Ei146 and Aico Ei166RC);
• ionisation detector – ionisation sensor – used in the smoke alarms (Aico Ei141 and Aico Ei161RC);
• CO detector – Carbon Monoxide sensor – used in the CO alarms(Aico Ei261 series and Ei250);

According to the way they are powered/supplied, the smoke alarms/heat alarms/ionisation alarms can be:

• battery powered alarms – Alkaline battery;
• mains powered alarms with Lithium cell back-up;

Besides these types of the smoke/heat/CO alarms, which can also be categorized as:

• Aico smoke and heat alarms Ei140 series;
• Aico smoke and heat alarms Ei160RC series;
• Aico carbon monoxide alarms Ei261 series and Ei250;
• Aico multi-sensor alarm Ei2110 – optical and heat alarm;
• Special: other devices used for interconnection(mounting bases, manual call points, sounders, beacons, etc);

we have also wrote some more details about “goodies” from Aico, technologies that are used in their fire alarms, that is:

• the RadioLINK technology – RadioLink interconnects the mains powered smoke / fire / heat alarms by wireless signals rather than cabling;
• the Easi-Fit technology – save time and money in the process of installing the fire alarms, smoke alarms, heat alarms and CO alarms.

Well… enough about the theoretical part – come and visit us at

www.fire-detect.co.uk

and see what we have “in store for you” – Aico smoke alarms or Aico heat alarms. Below are some shots of how does the site look like….

Aico fire alarms and smoke alarms – presentation site online

Ionisation alarms – Aico Ei140 and Ei160RC series

17th edition short guide to smoke alarms and fire alarms

Are you installing smoke alarms? Are you confused when it comes to the 17th edition? Too many conflicting views? We have put together a little smoke and fire alarms guide to the 17th edition.

Smoke alarms can be connected to a lighting circuit – this is the preferred circuit

The alternative is wiring on a dedicated circuit

Who says this?

Most reputable smoke alarm manufacturers.
The IEE, NICEIC, ECA and SELECT

What does the 17th edition say about the smoke and fire alarms?

It makes no reference to domestic smoke alarm installations in the whole document

Why are some manufacturers saying that smoke alarms should be wired on a dedicated circuit?

They are misinterpreting the requirements of Chapter 56 – Safety Services. This makes reference to Fire detection and alarm systems, but in section 560.10 it refers you to BS 5839 for the specific requirements. Appendix A makes it quite clear that BS 5839: Pt,1 is the document being referred to. This standard is for commercial systems, not the standard for domestic smoke alarm systems, this is BS 5839: Pt.6.

I’m a little confused: what should I do?

In the absence of specific advice in the 17th Edition for domestic smoke alarm systems to Grade D (mains with a back-up) follow the recommendations of BS 5839: Pt.6.

What are they exactly?

Clause 15.5 states that Grade D smoke alarms can be wired from either …

• ‘An independent circuit at the dwellings main distribution board, in which case no other electrical equipment should be connected to this circuit…’
• Or ‘A separately electrically protected, regularly used lighting circuit’.
• Note that RCD protection is not mentioned. Therefore, an RCD protected circuit is acceptable
• Hard-wired systems must be on a single final circuit
• Radio-Linked systems can be on separate lighting circuits

Any further advice?

• Talk to the IEE, NICEIC, ECA and SELECT
• Leave us a message here

See out small guide to the 17th edition rules about the consumer units. To purchase smoke alarms or fire alarms for domestic use or conventional / analogic systems, visit the Fire Alarms section in our website.

CO alarms – carbon monoxide alarms from Aico

Carbon Monoxide (CO; see more about CO poisoning), is a particularly insidious gas. It is a killer. The naked eye can’t see it, it does not smell, it has no taste. The need for a reliable mains powered alarm that will operate even in the event of a mains failure is obvious. Ei261ENRC Mains Powered CO Alarm with Rechargeable Lithium Cells and Replaceable CO Sensor is one of the most viable and recommended solutions from Aico.

Features and benefits

• Built-in 10 year+ rechargeable lithium cell back-up designed to outlast the alarm
• Replacement sensor module, minimum five year life
• Easy to use test/hush button
• Automatic self diagnostics
• Distinctive alarm sound, easily distinguishable from a smoke alarm
• Wall or ceiling mounting
• Pre alarm warning
• Interconnect feature
• Comprehensive Indicator lights: Mains Power / Alarm / Fault
• Optional digital display – Ei261DENRC
• Quick CO gas test feature
• Kitemarked to BS EN 50291: 2001

The Ei professional range includes fully featured product usually specified by Local Authorities and Landlords and less sophisticated product where duty of care is not so much of an issue and where the mains supply is more likely to be continuous and/or regular battery maintenance is known to be reliably carried out.

The Ei261ENRC is the top of the range product. Current sensor technology used by all manufacturers of CO alarms has a limited life cycle; the sensors cannot be relied upon after a period of 5/6 years. The Ei261ENRC offers a replacement sensor feature, thereby increasing the life cycle of the product to ten years.

Carbon Monoxide (CO) alarm specifications
Product Code	Ei261DENRC	Ei261ENRC	Ei225EN	Ei205ENA
Mains Powered	x	x	x
Lithium Rechargeable Cells	x	x
Powered by 3 x AA Alkaline Batteries				x
Electrochemical Cell CO Sensor Element	x	x	x	x
85dB(A) @ 3m Sound Output	x	x	x	x
Easi-fit System	x	x
Comprehensive LED Indicators	x	x	x	x
Digital LCD CO (ppm) Display	x
CO Level Memory Feature	x	x	x	x
Audible Fault Warning	x	x	x	x
Audible Low Battery Warning	x	x		x
Test/Hush Button	x	x	x	x
Interconnection Capability	x	x
Replaceable Sensor Module	x	x
Quick CO Gas Test Feature	x	x	x	x
Pre-Alarm For Low CO Levels	x	x	x	x
High Level of Gas Type Selectivity	x	x	x	x
Unit Activation Upon Connection	x	x	x	x
Soldered Horn Contacts	x	x	x	x
Tamper Resistant Cover	x	x	x	x
Tamper-proof Cells	x	x
Locking Screw Hole	x	x
Multiple Cable Entries	x	x	x
Date Code Identification	x	x	x	x
BS Kitemarked to BS EN 50291	x	x	x	x
CE Certified	x	x	x	x
EMC Conformance	x	x	x	x
Fixings Included	x	x	x	x
Typical Footprint Dimensions (mm)	155 x 125	155 x 125	135 x 105	135 x 105

To purchase CO alarms(Carbon monoxide alarms), visit the Domestic fire detectors at www.sparksdirect.co.uk. Also, you can fill in our online survey – leave us your opinion and suggestions about our website at the Online Survey, SparksDirect.

fire alarms, heat alarms, mains powered alarms from Aico

Being one of the UK’s leading manufacturers of smoke alarms with over 30 years of experience, Aico offers high quality & high performance products that meet the need in the fire safety industry. Having an innovative design with quality features, the Aico fire alarms has different ranges for different needs; for example:

• The Specifier Range 160RC Series – for social and private rental properties
  These fire alarms are mains powered, with 10 year+ rechargeable Lithium cell back-up. Part of this range: Aico Ei161RC Ionisation alarm, Aico Ei164RC Heat Alarm, and Aico Ei166RC Optical Alarm, together with the control switch Ei1529RC and the manual call point MCP401RC. For more info, read the article here.
• The Contractor range – Aico 140 series – for new build and owner occupied properties
  This range of Mains Powered alarms with Alkaline battery back-up has a easy 3-step installation(easi-fit); part of this range are the Aico Ei141 ionisation alarm, the Aico Ei144 Heat alarm, and the Aico Ei146 optical alarm.
• These 2 ranges, the Aico 160RC series and the Aico 140 series use the RadioLINK Wireless communication, which is a complete solution to BS5839: Part 6:2004.

On our website, you can buy the Aico Fire Alarms range for domestic use by visiting the Fire and Security section.

fire protection lights, downlights; the intumescent material

According to the current building regulations, the residential dwellings with the height of the top floor up to 18m above ground should have ceilings resitant to fire for up to 60 minutes. This means that the downlights / the recessed lights fixed in the ceiling have to be at least fire-rated, to last for at least 60 minutes. We call these lights: fire protection lights(from Aurora), and we have tried to answer some questions about the fire rated downlights(including the standards that speak about them). Also, read about the key components of the fire rated ceiling lights, or the way they work if tested through fire.

In the article about the Fire Protection Downlights, we mention the concept of Intumescent Material. Aurora’s revolutionary intumescent fire hood range is made from a fully breathable material with a patented “Instant Release” intumescent envelope and adjustable self supporting fixing method. The construction of the fire hoods allows heat from the lamp to be effectively dissipated, preventing the terminal block and downlight from overheating. When exposed to fire, the intumescent material will swell(intumesce) to approximately 36 times its original volume, providing an insulating barrier against the fire, effectively sealing the hole once occupied by the downlight.

Other key features of the intumescent material – the fire hoods:

• Covered by £10M “Failure to Perform” insurance, subject to correct installation;
• Fully tested to BS 476 Part 21. Fire tests on building materials and structures;
• Maintains the ceiling’s fire protection integrity for a minimum of 60mins(60 minute rated ceiling) as required by the Building Regulations Document B3 and the I.E.E. Wiring Regulations(BS7671 – Regulation 527-02);
• Comply with sound insulation tests BS EN ISO140-3-1995/140-6-1998‘
• Patented “Instant-Release” intumescent envelope – UK Pat. P. No. 0216915.9 / International PCT/GB03/003229;
• The fully breathable material eliminates the overheating;
• Flexible and light, the unit can be installed from below or above the ceiling;
• Unique self supporting fixing method(no tools, screws required);
• Versatile rectangular design accommodates multiple downlight sizes;
• Suitable for use in plasterboard, suspended or concrete ceilings(9-35mm);
• 30% temperature reduction at terminal block compared to competitive products.

You can check out our online catalogue withe downlights/ceiling lights or wall lights and fire rated lights(from Aurora), and then buy online via our secure website.