A common misconception in fire safety is that a smoke alarm is one size fits all. 

However, this is not the case. While in most circumstances it is better to have regular smoke alarms as opposed to none at all, your premises will be much more protected if each area has a room specific device. Each device is prone to different types of fire or is more or less sensitive to fire depending on your needs. 

When choosing a smoke alarm, most offices or business premises will require several alarms due to the size of the building. Sometimes in these situations, it could be worth considering interconnected smoke alarms which communicate through radio waves. This way when one smoke alarm is triggered, it alerts all occupants through all devices it has been connected with. This gives people longer to react and escape or extinguish the fire. 

The type of smoke alarm best suited to your premises will depend on the room itself. Here, we will discuss the best smoke alarms for: communal areas; the kitchen; workstations and hallways. 

 

Which is the best smoke alarm for communal areas?

Office break out rooms are the most likely to contain soft furnishings such as sofas and beanbags. This type of furniture would smoulder if it caught alight. Therefore in this case, an optical smoke alarm would be best suited to the room. Also, steam is less likely to set this fire alarm off, if someone happened to be ironing their shirt, for example.

 

Which is the best smoke alarm for the kitchen?

There are several choices of smoke alarms for the kitchen. The most commonly used is a heat alarm. When activated, the device reaches high temperatures as opposed to detecting smoke. Smoke is more common in a kitchen area but doesn’t necessarily indicate a fire.

With this type of alarm it is important not to place it over a direct source of heat. Instead place it in the center of the room

Another option for your kitchen fire alarm is one that uses both smoke and heat sensors or both smoke and carbon monoxide sensors. Understandably these are the most reliable devices as both sensors work together to minimise false alarms.

 

Which is the best smoke alarm for your workspace?

Depending on the type of business residing in your premises, it is likely there will be some sort of office furniture and electrical equipment. In this scenario it is also recommended to use an optical smoke alarm as the chairs and desks would likely smoulder before setting alight. 

It would also be useful to install more alarms in these areas, where the electrical equipment would put this area at a higher risk.

 

 

 

Which is the best smoke alarm for the hallway?

As your office corridor or hallway will likely link your workspace, kitchen and communal areas together, there could be a backdraft of smoke or steam from any of these rooms. Therefore, an optical smoke alarm is the best option, similarly to the communal areas.

However, some businesses opt for this smoke alarm but choose a model that is combined with a light in the event of an emergency. Hallways are often the main route to escape a fire, so it’s crucial occupants can guide their way to safety.

 

 

No matter the type of room or premises, these simple changes to the fire safety equipment make a significant difference. It can mean the difference between hefty financial bills and safety of your staff. Therefore, we recommend you follow the suggestions in this article. This will ensure your business and those working for you are protected.