Specifications

10
12. Are the
RadioLINK units
kitemarked to
BS 5446:Pt.1?
13. To which
standards does
the Ei168
conform?
14. Is RadioLINK
suitable for
use in all
properties?
BS 5446: Pt.1 is the standard that smoke alarms should be Kitemarked to. As the Ei405 and
Ei405TY are smoke alarms, they have been 3rd Party tested and Kitemarked to this standard.
The Ei168 RadioLINK base is not a smoke alarm; it is a base that a smoke alarm is attached
to. Consequently, this standard is not applicable to the Ei168.
The Ei168 is CE marked to indicate conformance to BS EN 60065:1998 (Electrical safety), EN
300220-1 V1.3.1 (2000-09) (RF performance), EN 301489 VI.4.1 (2002-08) (EMC) and has
been 3rd party tested for electrical safety in accordance with Annex K of BS 5446: Pt.1:
2000.
The simple answer is yes! But it is easier to justify the additional cost when retro fitting
smoke alarms as this is where surface trunking often has to be used. Cable is relatively cheap
and easy to install in new build properties without the need for trunking so the extra cost
may not be a viable proposition. However, some new build properties have concrete ceilings
and this may mean that surface wiring via trunking will still be necessary. In these
applications the use of RadioLINK could play a useful role. Other applications could include..
a) Individual dwellings within a block of flats or HMOs. We would not recommend
interconnecting individual dwellings together as nuisance alarm could cause considerable
aggravation to other occupiers. But, many enforcing authorities insist that this is done.
RadioLink allows this without the need to cross boundaries with mains cable, so
potentially creating an electrical safety risk. In addition, separation of dwellings and
communal areas is possible yet still allowing a warning to be given throughout the
building via RadioLink.
b) Connection of remote areas to a central smoke alarm system avoiding the need to run
cable for extended distances.
c) Allows existing systems installed without a hard wired interconnect to be connected,
avoiding the need for a complete rewire.
d) Existing hard wired systems can use RadioLink to extend the system into additional rooms
or areas without all the extra wiring and disruption this may cause.
Technically, up to 30 alarms can be interconnected but the limiting factor is likely to be the
distance between alarms and obstructions that may block the radio signal. In most domestic
properties a realistic maximum number of alarms would be 12. If there should be a problem
with all the alarms receiving the radio signal, there is the option of using a ‘repeater’ to
extend the range in the building.
All of the RadioLINK alarms and bases have the option of being made into a ‘repeater’ unit.
If when the alarms have been installed it is found that all the alarms do not link together as
they should due to the distance between them, or obstructions causing blocking of the radio
signal, it is easy to change one of them into a ‘repeater’ so that the signal can be transmitted
further around the building. Simply, choose a unit in a central point (to the other units) within
the property to make into a ‘repeater’. See the instructions supplied with the product for
further information on this.
16. What is a
repeater?
15. How many
alarms can be
interconnected
using RadioLINK?