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Smoke alarms on walls, not ceilings

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  • 09-01-2008 9:18pm
    #1
    Faith
    Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 30,657 Mod ✭✭✭✭


    The smoke alarms in my flat are on the ceilings, as most seem to be. However, with the ceilings being so high, it's a huge task to check them or change the batteries. I've bought new ones that I plan to put on the walls, maybe 7 feet up. Are they still as effective on the walls? Is there any problems with putting them there?


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    #2
    spadder
    Closed Accounts Posts: 985 ✭✭✭spadder


    better on the roof.
    Smoke will fill a room from the top down, the extra seconds gained could be vital.


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    #3
    delly
    Moderators, Home & Garden Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 7,687 Mod ✭✭✭✭delly


    Smoke alarms on a wall is a big no-no. Smoke travels up into the cup shape which senses the smoke afaik. In order for this to happen with a wall fitted smoke alarm the smoke build up would have to be quite heavy. It really isn't worth the risk for the inconvenience to check them.


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    #4
    2 stroke
    Registered Users Posts: 2,921 ✭✭✭2 stroke


    Check them with a brush handle. Get landlord to change the batteries, I think its his responsibility to do this once a year.


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    #5
    oleras
    Registered Users Posts: 2,724 ✭✭✭oleras


    you need to keep these on the ceiling im afraid.

    buy a step ladder, every house should have one , or two, or three ( i need to stop buying tem) :D


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    #6
    Faith
    Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 30,657 Mod ✭✭✭✭Faith


    2 stroke wrote: »
    Check them with a brush handle. Get landlord to change the batteries, I think its his responsibility to do this once a year.

    I am the landlord!
    oleras wrote: »
    you need to keep these on the ceiling im afraid.

    buy a step ladder, every house should have one , or two, or three ( i need to stop buying tem) :D

    I have a step ladder but A) the ceilings are 10/11 ft high, B) I'm 5'5 and C) the highest step ladder I could get only goes to about 4 or 5 feet. Seeing as I can't stand on the top step, it still requires me stretching my arm up as far as possible - and I'm really scared on heights! Still, I guess I'll just have to live with it!


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    #7
    derek27
    Closed Accounts Posts: 489 ✭✭derek27


    spadder wrote: »
    better on the roof.
    Smoke will fill a room from the top down, the extra seconds gained could be vital.

    ^^^ correct. The batteries in your smoke alarms have a very long life, so changing them shouldn't be something you need to worry about too much. Surely you can use a broom handle to hit the test button every night, and there's also a flashing LED that indicates that the batteries are still working.


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    #8
    drag0n79
    Registered Users Posts: 196 ✭✭drag0n79


    They can be wall-mounted no problem, but need to be between 150mm and 300mm below the ceiling.

    So this will not really help you since even if it was on the wall, it is only a foot below the ceiling, still pretty high.


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    #9
    Hotblack Desiato
    Registered Users Posts: 35,101 ✭✭✭✭Hotblack Desiato


    Get mains powered ones which are linked together, as required in new builds, much safer.

    © 1982 Sinclair Research Ltd



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