Smoke Alarm Buying Guide

Three Types of Smoke & Heat Alarms

Choosing the right alarm type for each room reduces false alarms and improves detection. Here's the breakdown:

• Optical (Photoelectric): Detects smoke particles using a light beam. Best for living rooms, hallways, and bedrooms. Good at detecting smouldering fires (e.g. from upholstery).
• Heat Detectors: Trigger when temperature rises sharply. Use in kitchens and bathrooms where steam or cooking smoke would cause false alarms with optical/ionisation. Not for living areas – they don't detect smoke.
• Ionisation: Fast response to flaming fires. Generally being phased out; optical is now preferred for most rooms. Avoid in kitchens – too sensitive to cooking fumes.

Room-by-Room Recommendations

• Hallways & landings: Optical – ideal for early warning.
• Living rooms & bedrooms: Optical.
• Kitchen: Heat detector (or mains interlinked heat alarm). Keeps cooking smoke from triggering constant false alarms.
• Bathroom: Heat detector – steam will trigger optical/ionisation alarms.
• Garage/utility: Heat detector if near boilers or appliances; optical elsewhere if not steamy.

Interlinked mains alarms (Grade D) are recommended so all alarms sound together. Landlords must comply with current regulations.