Wireless Smoke Alarm User's Guide

In this article, we’re going to go through the best wireless smoke detector tips and ensure that your home stays safe in the best (and easiest) possible way. Installing a smoke alarm used to involve getting stuck down with a toolkit and untangling wires. Wireless smoke alarms offer an easy and often safer alternative with updated technology, making them a requirement in all new builds. We’re going to not only introduce how to install wireless smoke alarms in your home safety system but help you understand how they function and why wireless smoke detectors might just be perfect for you.

How Do Wireless Smoke Detectors Work?

Wireless Smoke Detectors work using radio frequency to communicate quickly and effectively. They often contain one of two categories of sensors, ionization sensors or photoelectric sensors. Ionization sensing alarms can detect fire particles that are invisible to the naked eye (associated with flaming fires), whereas photoelectric sensing alarms are far better at detecting visible particles (association with smoldering fires), sooner than ionization alarms. Most alarms have either one or the other, but that’s not something to worry too much about; either wireless smoke detector will have the capability to reliably test for fires; and this reliability stems from an interconnected system.  

To manage interference, some wireless smoke detectors have an inbuilt Mesh Networking system. The Mesh Networking system allows for all smoke alarm to communicate with each other via the shortest possible path and set off all (working) alarms. If any path is broken, the Mesh Network can manipulate another path quickly and effectively. This means that if a wireless smoke detector randomly breaks down in the kitchen, you’ll still quickly have alarms ringing in the bedroom. Wireless communication allows for safer and more reliable fire safety and is often recommended by experts in fire safety – when one alarm sounds, all of them do, meaning you’ll have an early warning against any potential fires, no matter where it starts. Unlike mains operated smoke detectors, wireless smoke detectors are not only easier to set up, but intelligent and able to divert signals even if an alarm breaks – guaranteeing your safety.

Tip: Check your batteries at least yearly, most smoke detectors guarantee a 5-year battery life, but if a low, beeping tone can be heard (as well as sometimes an amber light), it’s time to swap out old batteries for new ones.

X-Sense XS01-WR Wireless Smoke Detector

1. Wireless technology uses radio frequency to transmit and receive messages.
2. If one alarm goes off, the rest of the interconnected alarms will alert as well.
3. 5-year replaceable battery and 10-year sensor life.
4. Advanced photoelectric sensor is more sensitive and reduces false alarms.

Buy Now

$29.99

How to Set Up a Wireless Fire Alarm System

We’re now going to explain exactly how to set up a Wireless Fire Alarm System in your own home. The fire alarm itself can be easily attached to the wall using either adhesive strips or screws.

The best wireless smoke detector tips around installation prioritize safety; so that with that in mind, we’d like to remind you to always take extra care and use the correct type of ladder for the task. If you’re planning on screwing the detector in; pop on some safety goggles to protect your eyes from dust and debris.

Here’s a checklist for what you’ll need:

• Tape Measure
• Pipe, Cable and Stud Detector (if you’re planning to drill)
• Screws and Drill OR Adhesive Strip
• A Pencil

To begin you’re going to want to decide where your smoke alarm needs to be; it’s recommended that it’s fitted as close to the center of the room as possible, with around a 30cm distance from the wall or any light fittings.

• Remove the base plate from your wireless alarm and remove the tabs from the plate.
• Install the battery (unless it is pre-fitted and inaccessible), do be warned, the alarm may sound as you do this (but will turn off again).
• Check your instruction manual; depending on the model, you may need to program each smoke detector’s location – this can sometimes be done with voice control.
• If required, pair your smoke detectors together. This will enable them to transmit and receive signals. For example, you’ll press the button of 1 and 2 at the same time, then 1 and 3, then 1 and 4, and finally 1 and 5, to allow 1 to recognize all the other 4. Continue pairing each alarm with the others as per your manual’s instructions.
• If you’re planning to attach with screws, use your stud detector first to check for hidden pipes before drilling, marking your drill location with your pencil.
• This step is for screws again, once your drill hole has been made, insert a plug before placing the base plate of the wireless smoke detector over the hole, insert your screw before using a screwdriver to fix it into place.
• If you’re opting for the easy option; adhesive strips, pop them on the underside of the alarm’s base plate and, push to secure.
• Once fully installed, press the ‘test’ button on your alarms to ensure that they’re working correctly. The LED light on the front of the wireless smoke alarm should flash with a green light once every 40 seconds or so, to show that it is active.

Tip: Removing the smoke alarm from its base plate will de-activate the alarm itself, preventing it from detecting smoke. Ensure that the smoke alarm sits snugly in the base plate and that you have tested each alarm in turn.

Why Wireless Interconnected Smoke Detectors?

Firstly, a wireless smoke detector is fundamentally essential; it is an integral home gadget that will secure not only your safety but that of your family and even your neighbors, with its reliable and effective nature. New home regulations specifically require wireless smoke detectors; why should you have to miss out on complete safety? With being wireless, there’s no need to ruin your ceilings and get neck-ache from drilling; fire safety is quite literally an adhesive strip away; it doesn’t get easier than that! A wireless smoke alarm provides something invaluable; peace of mind, in knowing you have the most effective, and reliable machine for preserving your safety.

Secondly, you won’t lose out on your investment if you decide to renovate extend or even just move to a new home. Wireless smoke detectors are fully detachable without having to attempt rewiring. Just remember to keep alarms in the center of the room and at least 30cm away from walls and light fittings, and Viola! You’ll be fire safe even after renovating or moving home. Wireless smoke detectors offer an amazing sense of flexibility in this regard and are a sensible investment.

Thirdly, but no less important; is how easy it is to interconnect every alarm to create a flawless integrated alarm system in your home. No matter how many times you move to a new house, or decide to change up your rooms, once the alarms are interlinked, they stay that way. Integrated wireless smoke detector systems ensure are made to reliably function even if there is a break in the chain (E.G: a detector in the house runs out of batteries) – no matter the situation, if there is any risk of fire you can be guaranteed that an alarm will sound. This makes wireless smoke alarms a flexible yet reliable investment that efficiently provides fire safety in any environment.

To conclude, wireless smoke detectors offer an innovative new way to ensure fire safety. Despite how easy it is to fall behind on technology, wireless smoke detectors are something you don’t want to skip out on. They offer flexibility; as they’re not wired in you can change them in between rooms and even buildings if you move to a new house. They’re reliable; with a mesh-networking system and integrated communication, wireless smoke alarms will always configure a way to warn of fire – even if the alarm where the fire is starting is faulty. They’re also sleek, modern and, stylish; coming in various styles that complement, rather than detract from your home’s aesthetic. You won’t have to worry about borrowing a drill or lugging your old one from a cupboard either, as they’re fully compatible with adhesive strips; meaning you’ll be able to get them fitted quickly and easily, no matter how good you are with tools. Wireless smoke detectors offer an excellent level of safety; that’s why they’re now a legal requirement in any new build. Why not ensure your home is as safe as it can be by investing in your safety for not only today but your future.

You may also like: Why Are Smoke Alarms Important?