Smoke alarm installation

[silliemillie]

I am going to install a new smoke alarm, I dont like drilling holes & am not very good at it.

Is there any reason why I cant just rest it on a high shelf? Obviously I want it to work properly so would appreciate some advice.

[HowardKennitby]

What do the instructions say about mounting? Most that I have seen recommend either wall or ceiling so that that the smoke or fumes have easiest access to the sensor.

[ChuckFickens]

Amazon.co.uk User Recommendation

[silliemillie]

They do say wall or ceiling mounted but was thinking of just standing it on top of a high cupboard, what if I stuck it on the ceiling with sticky tabs would that be ok?

[Sam1960]

If you don't fancy drilling holes etc, go to your local DIY shop and buy a product called "no nails" put a little drop on the bottom of the smoke detector and stick it to the ceiling. Please don't put it on a shelf as it could get knocked over and end up on the floor, making it useless. The above product should cost no more than a couple of quid.

[boxtops]

Ours are just screwed into the woodwork (no drilling) or use high strength double sided tape.

[silliemillie]

Thanks Chuck I was just typing as you posted that, do you think they will be ok then?

[silliemillie]

Thanks guys, I will have a trip to B&Q

[ChuckFickens]

As long as you have a smooth ceiling (not artex!) and the base of the smoke alarm isn't recessed and you give the ceiling a clean where you want to stick it (and let it dry) then they'll hold it fine.

[HowardKennitby]

Remember that you have to get access to change the battery.

[Maydup]

My vote is for no nails too. Its fantastic and there's no risk of the alarm falling down with no nails. Whatever you use, do stcik it the the ceiling rather than lie on the shelf as it needs to be facing the floor and not sitting the other way up if you see what I mean.

[237SJ]

I can`t see that there is any reason why not. It will work wherever it is. I put a carbon monoxide detector in my mother`s house (on the top of the bureau). It does the job.

[Sam1960]

most smoke detectors have a flat base which is screwed to the ceiling, and the detector is then fitted to the base. Connect the detector to the base, and apply "no nails" to the base. If you have an artex ceiling then just apply more "no nails"

[Maydup]

Agree with CM detector - no problem, but as smoke rises to the ceiling it will not seep down into a shelf to set the detector off until the room is really quite seriously smoke filled.

[silliemillie]

Yes it was the carbon monoxide detecter that gave me the idea, they are portable & you can take them anywhere so thought maybe i could do the same with the smoke alarm.

Thank you all for the advice, I think I will go with the no more nails option

[pips1]

The fire brigade come to your house and supply and fit them free, plus they check your house at the same time and give you advice. I had it done, it was ace, my house was full of fit firemen!

[The Builder]

I guess this is a single detector...... not inter-connected? Just a thought... it's usual today to fit HEAT detectors in kitchens and bathrooms rather than SMOKE detectors.
The reason is simple... nuisance ... burnt toast in the kitchen and steam in bathrooms, do set off smoke detectors unnecessarily all the time.
HEAT detectors sense just that... heat, not smoke, in the case of a fire.

[robert551069]

In Brighton, East Sussex, the Fire Brigade give people free smoke alarms and install them free of charge.