8
2.3 Which Alarm in what Room?
Selecting Alarm Type
Location
Ei146e
Optical
Smoke Alarm
Ei144e
Heat
Alarm
(i)
Hall, Corridors,
Escape routes
✔
✗
Kitchens / Garages
✗
✔ (iii)
Living Rooms
✔
✔ (ii)
Bedrooms
✔
✗
Shower /
Bathrooms
✗
✗
(i) A Heat Alarm should only be used in a room adjoining
an escape route, in conjunction with Multi-Sensor
Fire Alarms or Smoke Alarms on the escape routes.
All the Alarms should be interconnected to ensure
the early warning will be heard.
(ii) Some Fire authorities (concerned with the slow
response of Heat Alarms) advise that Multi-Sensor
Fire Alarms or Smoke Alarms should be fitted in
living rooms. This is acceptable according to BS
5839-6:2019 provided there are clearly not going to
be problems with nuisance alarms. Fit Heat Alarms
only if nuisance alarms are very likely and it is
acceptable that a warning will only be given by the
Heat Alarm when there is a very significant flaming
fire in the room. If the door(s) and windows are not
closed to contain the fire and heat, it is extremely
unlikely that the Heat Alarm would respond before
a Multi-Sensor Fire Alarm or Smoke Alarm sited
outside in the corridor.
(iii) In enclosed kitchens with doors closed.