best smoke alarm

[stuartR1963]

Hi, I live in a normal 2 storey house which had 2 smoke alarms now 3 (BRK 670MBX) Ionization type. one is in the living room where the stairs are and the other is in the upstairs landing, the new one is in the garage conversion spare room also a BRK 670MBX.
However I came across a rather alarming video on youtube (pardon the pun) which showed the ionization alarms to be extremely slow, some never activated when the test room was full of toxic smoke, this worries me, this makes me tempted to replace these,

What do you guys recommend? and what are your opinions on this? do you think ionizations do the job?
I know its highly unlikely there will ever be a fire but it gets you thinking.
Is it worth replacing these? If so they need to be mains powered with backup and of course interlink.
thanks

 

[flameport]

Ionisation alarms are not slow, it's just that they react differently to different types of fire. Ionisation work best at detecting fast flaming fires, optical are better for smouldering and smoke.

Optical sensors are usually suggested for new installations, or some now have optical and heat sensors in the same unit, https://www.aico.co.uk/product/ei2110e-multi-sensor-fire-alarm/

Is it worth replacing these?

Possibly.
Also depends on how old they are - they should be replaced after 10 years anyway.

 

[FrodoOne]

I came across a rather alarming video on youtube (pardon the pun) which showed the ionization alarms to be extremely slow, some never activated when the test room was full of toxic smoke, this worries me, this makes me tempted to replace these,

What do you guys recommend? and what are your opinions on this? do you think ionizations do the job?

Is it worth replacing these? If so they need to be mains powered with backup and of course interlink.
thanks

Since you are asking this question, you may be interested to read the current regulations for the Northern Territory (http://www.pfes.nt.gov.au/Fire-and-Rescue/Territory-laws-on-smoke-alarms.aspx) and Queensland (http://www.masterelectricians.com.a...MIyKDZp9j62AIVyAYqCh06jAgMEAAYAiAAEgJ1ovD_BwE)

The Queensland reference has links to the Inquiry into the fire which triggered the changes there.
The "Replacement Program" is at https://www.qfes.qld.gov.au/community-safety/smokealarms/documents/New-Smoke-Alarm-Legislation.pdf

 

[stuartR1963]

Optical sensors are usually suggested for new installations, or some now have optical and heat sensors in the same unit, https://www.aico.co.uk/product/ei2110e-multi-sensor-fire-alarm/

Thanks they sound much more efficient regardless of type of fire whether its a couch or "burning paper" as it suggests on the BRK 670 ionization, I believe the BRK670 series are the most common, certainly round my area anyway as most homes and buildings I have been in have the same alarm as mine.
I will replace these to be on the safe side as you never know there could be a fire, god forbid.

I imagine these ei211e will work with the existing wiring, live,neutral and interlink?. Or maybe interlink wire is not needed these as they have radio link I believe, Is this correct?
thanks

 

[Iggifer]

Radiolink is an optional extra. Wired interlink is standard with Aico

 

[stuartR1963]

Radiolink is an optional extra. Wired interlink is standard with Aico

Thank you