Alarm FAQs

Performing a regular test is a vital part of ensuring continued Fire and Carbon Monoxide detection. Alarms should be tested monthly to ensure everything is working correctly.

Direct test from the alarm:

• Check that the green light on the alarm is on (this shows that it is receiving mains power).
• Press the ‘Test’ button for 10 seconds.
• The alarm will sound loudly, so that you know the alarm is functioning.

• If you have other alarms in the property, they will most likely be linked together. This means that if one alarm sounds, it will send a signal to trigger the other alarms in the property – so you can hear them sound in the background.
• Finally, repeat the above steps on all the other alarms in the property.

Using a control switch:

• Press the ‘Test’ button on the alarm controller.
• The alarm will sound loudly, so that you know the alarm is functioning.
• If you have more than one alarm in the property and they are interconnected, this will also trigger all the other alarms in the property.
• If you are using an Alarm Controller Ei450 this will continue for as long as you hold down the ‘Test’ button.
• If you are using a Ei1529RC or Ei412 you will need to flick the ‘Test’ switch off to finish the test.

Never ignore a beeping alarm, as it is a warning sign of either a danger in the home or that an alarm needs maintenance.

A smoke or heat alarm is emitting a full alarm sound:

If the alarms are sounding, there may be a fire present. You should evacuate the property and be absolutely sure there is no fire before returning. If in doubt, always assume there is a real fire present and take the necessary action.

If there is no fire present:

• Find the alarm with the red light rapidly flashing. Press its ‘Hush’ button to silence. If that does not silence it, clean the alarm using a vacuum. Wait for 10 minutes and the issue should be resolved.
• Are there any cooking fumes or steam around this could be the reason behind the alarm fault – if so it may be incorrectly sited or the wrong sensor type for the area.

Regular single beep from a smoke or heat alarm:

• If it is a regular single beep (approximately once every minute), then the battery may be running low, and you may need to change the battery in the alarm. This is relevant for the 140RC Series alarms.
• If the green power light is off – contact your installer or an Expert Installer to check wiring & connections.

Irregular beep from a smoke or heat alarm:

• Clean the alarms.
• There may be an issue with the wiring – contact your installer or an Expert Installer to check wiring & connections.

A Carbon Monoxide alarm is sounding:

• There is likely to be Carbon Monoxide present. Turn off any gas appliances, open windows and doors and leave the property.
• Ring the emergency number of the gas/fuel supplier.
• Do not enter the property until the alarm has stopped.
• If the alarm contains AudioLINK – Once the alarm has stopped activating and it is safe to enter the property extract a report to identify the details of the incident.

Regular single beep or irregular beep from a Carbon Monoxide alarm:

• If the green light is off, contact your installer or an Expert Installer to check the wiring & connections.
• If the alarm contains AudioLINK – extract a report to identify the details of the incident

There are two different types of batteries used as battery back-ups in our mains powered smoke and heat alarms. Many of these are sealed in lithium cells, that last the 10-year life of the alarms. Our 140RC range contains a 9V Alkaline battery as it’s back up power supply and this will need changing across the life span of the alarm.

You will know when you need to change the battery, as you will hear a single regular beep (low battery warning) coming from the alarm, however it is recommended that you change the battery every year.

How to change the battery in 140RC Series Alarms:

• Turn off the mains power to the alarm. The green light on the alarm should go out.
• Insert a flat headed screwdriver into the removal slot of the alarm. This is marked with an arrow. Make sure you keep the screwdriver horizontal (i.e. parallel to the ceiling).
• Slide the alarm off its base and you should be able to see the 9V battery in the back.
• Replace the battery in the back of the alarm with a 9V Alkaline battery – we recommend Duracell MN 1604 or Energizer 522 batteries. Take care with the battery clip and wires as damage to these will result in constant beeps, meaning that the unit will need to be replaced.
• Slide the alarm back on its base.
• Turn the power back on. The green light on the alarm should come back on.
• Finally test the alarm to ensure the unit is working correctly.

This is relevant for the following products – Ei141RC Ionisation Smoke Alarm, Ei144RC Heat Alarm, Ei146RC Optical Smoke Alarm.

Most of our alarms have a 10-year life, after which they should be replaced to ensure you carry on getting the best protection.

Checking the date-code label:

All Aico alarms have a date-code label on the side of them which tells you exactly when the alarm was made and also the recommended replacement date.

The four-digit code shows you the year and week that the alarm was made. The first two digits relate to the year and the second two digits relate to the week.

Above this is the ‘Replace By’ date, but note that the date on the label shows the maximum life of the alarm and alarms should always be replaced before their life is up.

Replacing your alarm:

If your alarm is coming up to its replace by date, it should be replaced. The first step is to find out the model number of the alarm that you have installed. Once you know the model number for the alarm that you need to replace, you can use the ‘where to buy section’ to find the details of your nearest stockist who will be able to provide a replacement alarm.

Alarm identification can sometimes be difficult as some alarms can look quite similar, but there are a few ways that you can tell them apart. We have also highlighted a few of the most popular products.

Model number

The model number of each alarm and accessory is noted on the side of the product, along with the age and replace by date. You can type this number into the search bar above to find out all the details of your alarm.

Identification by Range

All alarms within the 3000 Series are mains powered with 10-year rechargeable lithium cell back-up and fit onto easi-fit bases. All 3000 Series alarms are compatible with SmartLINK using the Ei3000MRF SmartLINK Modules. 3000 Series alarms can be identified by the three indicator lights and AudioLINK symbol.

Which 3000 Series Alarm do I have?

• Ei3028 Multi-Sensor Heat & CO Alarm – contains heat and Carbon Monoxide sensors.

• Ei3024 Multi-Sensor Fire Alarm – contains Heat and Optical sensors.

• Ei3018 Carbon Monoxide Alarm – contains a single Carbon Monoxide sensor.

• Ei3016 Optical Alarm – contains a single Optical sensor.

• Ei3014 Heat Alarm – contains a single Heat sensor.

Single Sensor Smoke & Heat Alarms

These alarm are mains powered with differing types of battery back-up. There are three different alarm designs.

• The 160e Series – mains powered with 10-year rechargeable lithium cell back-up, compatible with RadioLINK+.

• The 160RC Series – mains powered with 10-year rechargeable lithium cell back-up, compatible with RadioLINK (no longer available for purchase).

• The 140RC Series – mains powered with 9V Alkaline battery back-up, compatible with RadioLINK.

Carbon Monoxide Alarms

Mains Powered Carbon Monoxide Alarms – The Ei261ENRC and Ei262 alarms are mains powered, with a 10-year rechargeable lithium cell back up and contain AudioLINK data extraction technology. The Ei261ENRC is a standalone unit, whilst the Ei262 is compatible with RadioLINK.

Battery Powered Carbon Monoxide Alarms – The Ei208 and Ei208W alarms contain a sealed in 10-year life lithium cell and have built-in AudioLINK data extraction technology. The Ei208 is a standalone unit, whilst the Ei208W is upgradeable to RadioLINK+ with a Ei200MRF module. Also available in this range is the Ei208WRF with built-in RadioLINK+.

Which module do I have?

• The 3000, Ei2110e and 160e Series alarms all use modules to connect alarms with each other wirelessly using radio frequency signals.
• The 3000 Series use SmartLINK modules – Ei3000MRF.
• The Ei2110e and 160e Series use RadioLINK+ modules – Ei100MRF.

This step by step guide will show you how to replace and remove the existing alarm heads in a property. If you have an easi-fit base fitted, all you need to do is replace the alarm as there is no need to remove or re-wire the base.

• Turn the mains power to the alarms off in the property and ensure the green indicator light on the alarm is off.
• Locate the flattened ‘T’ shaped slot on the side of the alarm, there will be a sticker and arrow pointing towards it saying ‘insert screwdriver to remove’.

• Insert a small flat headed screwdriver into the slot, and at the same time, slide the head of the alarm away from the screwdriver.
• The alarm will then come down in your hand, you can then see the exact model number.

• Now to replace the alarm, align the unit up with the base plate and slide it into place. You should hear a slight clicking sound when it is in place.
• Turn the mains power back on and make sure the green indicator light on the alarm is back on.
• Now test the alarm by pressing and holding the test button on the front of the unit. The unit should make an alarm sound and also activate any other alarms in the property.

All our mains powered smoke and heat alarms will fit on the easi-fit bases including the Multi-Sensor Fire Alarm Ei2110e, 160e Series and 140RC Series, making it easier and quicker for new alarms to be installed.

If you are not able or comfortable replacing your alarm yourself, use an Aico Expert Installer – these are Contractors that have been trained by us in the selection and installation of Aico products. You can find your nearest Expert Installer through our website search.