Need help!!
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  1. #1
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    Default Need help!!

    Do I need to have a "mains operated" carbon monoxide installed, or will a battery operated one be suffice?
    Thanks

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    Mine is battery operated

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    Mine is battery operated.

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    Have I missed something? Are these compulsory now?

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    I don't have one, are we supposed to?

  6. #6
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    Are you in Scotland, I think it's a mains one only in Scotland but battery is fine in England.

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    Quote Originally Posted by blue bear View Post
    Are you in Scotland, I think it's a mains one only in Scotland but battery is fine in England.
    Has to be mains in Scotland x

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    I'm in England and have a battery operated one

    Sarah x
    Sarah, Bumble Beez x x

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    I'm in England and have a battery-operated one. I also keep a date record of weekly/monthly tests and checks on it, and keep the manufacturer's handbook filed with my safety case. My inspector said that was all fine.

    Out of interest, exactly who wants you to think it has to be mains-operated? I ask because I'm getting an increasing number of communications from my DO and from pacey, saying "Ofsted expects...." this that or the other. I've begun questioning this sort of thing back at them, as I think they should be sticking up for us and asking Ofsted why they think they can create new rules when their remit is to regulate according to the existing rules.

  10. #10
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    Sorry, just reread your post!! Carbon monoxide detector doesn't have to be mains in Scotland, I read your post as smoke detector!! Been a long weekend lol

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    I don't have one, do we have to have one?
    Cath

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    I have one and its battery. I don't think its a requirement but as I have a gas fire in my playroom and my boiler is quite old we got one for our own piece of mind. Mrs O only asked me about smoke alarms the other day and I pointed out my carbon monoxide one to her

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    Quote Originally Posted by cathtee View Post
    I don't have one, do we have to have one?
    Carbon monoxide poisoning - NHS Choices

    It's your call.

    I choose life.

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    Quote Originally Posted by bunyip View Post
    Carbon monoxide poisoning - NHS Choices It's your call. I choose life.
    Seconded bunyip

    Sarah x
    Sarah, Bumble Beez x x

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    Mine is battery operated but they didn't ask if I even had one in my inspection. I am in Wales. But I do not have a gas or fire of any sort so maybe That's why?

    Ja-Lula-Bell*****minding

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    Quote Originally Posted by ja-lula-belli View Post
    Mine is battery operated but they didn't ask if I even had one in my inspection. I am in Wales. But I do not have a gas or fire of any sort so maybe That's why?

    Ja-Lula-Bell*****minding
    Mine has a little green light telling me if it is working still and it sounds if the battery is running low. If an inspector asked I would tell them it is checked every morning. It should be checked whether it is battery or mains operated as either can fail or the alarm can fail. There's no indication that a mains alarm is better, if anything there is more chance if it accidentally being turned off

  17. #17
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    Yes That's true actually mine flashes green time show it's working and same with firealarms beeps if battery going.

    Ja-Lula-Bell*****minding

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    I had my Fire check yesterday....lovely young firemen ...

    They gave me new 10 year battery life smoke alarms .. All enclosed ..said that was all I needed - only really big houses ( I have a 4 bed detached) need the mains type ... According to Staffordshire Fire Brigade - I asked him if my fire blanket was positioned ok and he said the latest recommendation is that nobody has fire blankets - they just get out !!

    Interesting!

  20. #19
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    Quote Originally Posted by FloraDora View Post
    I had my Fire check yesterday....lovely young firemen ...

    They gave me new 10 year battery life smoke alarms .. All enclosed ..said that was all I needed - only really big houses ( I have a 4 bed detached) need the mains type ... According to Staffordshire Fire Brigade - I asked him if my fire blanket was positioned ok and he said the latest recommendation is that nobody has fire blankets - they just get out !!

    Interesting!
    I can understand your hunky fireman's comment about mains systems for larger houses. The chief benefit is they're linked: one alarm triggered means they all go off together. Obviously more important if your premises has an 'east wing' and not just 2 up 2 down.

    I'm more surprised at his take on fire blankets. Simply evacuating is not the greatest help you could give to a lo whose clothes were ablaze.

    Whatever the system, all alarms need to be tested regularly. Having just had a mains system fitted, this is a bit of a palava, as I have to turn circuits off and on, and check the back-up battery too (all mains alarms should have battery back-up in case of power cuts.) On the plus side, we have a lot fewer false alarms now. The mains system allowed us to replace the kitchen/dining room smoke alarm with a heat alarm, which knows the difference between a fire and somebody merely making toast or sausages.

    Be very wary of guarantees and so-called "long life" battery alarms. We had three 10-year smoke alarms fitted by our local hunky fireman, and they all stopped working within 18 months.

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  22. #20
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    Agree with bunyip about the 10 year smoke alarms - one of mine lasted just 3 months! Went off one night at 4 am (no fire or smoke - faulty!) and would not stop! It was unopenable - Could not just pull battery out, had to smash it up with a hammer...

    Firemen had same opinion about my fire blanket and extinguisher - don't bother tackling a blaze - just get out! (although I take your point about clothing). So I have them as decorative items for Mrs O to admire and tick boxes rather than argue about requirements or not....

    Have CO as well - make sure you position correctly - floats at about head height. If its too high or low it won't pick it up apparently. Mine is 5ft 6 from floor.

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