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May 5, 2014

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Whitepaper: Multi-residential access management – The move to digital

Aico Radiolink Wire Free Alarm Interconnection

When Aico launched RadioLINK, the very first domestic fire alarm system to feature wireless alarm interconnection, it caused ripples in the industry.

Never before had it been so quick and simple to interconnect alarms in a domestic property – a recommendation of BS 5839-6, the British Standard for domestic smoke alarm installation, and Building Regulations.
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That was over nine years ago. During that time, Aico have continued to develop their RadioLINK products to open them up to much wider use. Most recently, RadioLINK has been taken to a whole new level, improving installation techniques, extending the technology across their full product range, adding accessories and allowing for full control of mixed (or ‘hybrid’) hard-wired and RadioLINK systems.

But before we go further, let’s remind ourselves of the reasons wireless alarm interconnection has made such an important contribution to the fire industry.

Back to Basics: Why Interconnect Alarms?

Interconnecting smoke alarms in a domestic property is a recommendation of BS 5839-6:2013 and Building Regulations. In the event of one alarm detecting a fire, all interconnected alarms will sound throughout the property. This ensures all the occupants can hear the alarm – a vital safety point. Interconnected alarms provide early warning and the best chance of escape.

Hard-wired vs. Wireless Interconnection

Hard-wired interconnection is time consuming as it requires wiring from one alarm to another, throughout the system. This in turn can cause significant disruption as it may involve lifting floor boards, redecorating or using ugly trunking. As a result, interconnecting alarms in an existing property with hard-wiring can be costly and difficult.

Using RadioLINK (RF) wireless interconnection does away with all these issues. It makes mains powered alarms quicker and easier to install, makes interconnection itself more popular and also makes it far simpler to make changes to a system to help meet the changing needs of different residents.

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Of course you still need to wire each device independently to a permanent mains feed but this can be taken from the nearest local lighting circuit; this is the only hard-wiring required.

Installation Improvements
In a RadioLINK system, all the devices are programmed or ‘House Coded’ together to create a system – a process that simply involves a button press on each unit, then leaving the units to automatically code together. Completely unique RF codes are used and with over 16.7 million different codes possible the likelihood of alarms being triggered by another system is close to zero.
House coding originally had to be done at the time of installation. Our latest generation RadioLINK technology has been enhanced to allow for Remote House Code entry, which can save time and get over access issues when installing smoke alarms into HMOs and flats. One RadioLINK unit can be used to put all the other existing units back into House Code mode, so alarms can easily be added to a system at a later date if it isn’t possible to access all the flats in one go.

RadioLINK can provide effective coverage in communal areas and individual apartments in small blocks of flats, making for a high level of tenant safety at an affordable price. RadioLINK alarms can be fitted in the communal areas and / or stairwells, and wirelessly interconnected to other Aico Smoke, Heat or CO alarms in individual flats.
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RadioLINK works by allowing Aico Multi-Sensor, Smoke, Heat and Carbon Monoxide (CO) alarms to be wirelessly interconnected by Radio Frequency (RF) signals, rather than cabling. It saves time and disruption when extending/interconnecting in existing properties.

Extended Control Options

With best practice supporting interconnected alarm systems, including incorporating CO alarms into the mix, improved control functions are vital to ensure the system is simple for residents to use.

The upgrade to the RadioLINK base now enables the contractor to add control to mixed (or ‘hybrid’) hard-wired and RadioLINK systems. Simplicity itself, all that is required to achieve this is replacing a single easi-fit base on the hard-wired system with a new RadioLINK base. Once completed, a RadioLINK Alarm Controller can then be fitted to provide full control of the entire hybrid system.

Aico provides a range of easy to use wall mounted Alarm Controllers, to use in various systems, that enables the resident to Test the entire system, Locate a triggered alarm or Silence the alarms from one convenient location. They make climbing on a chair or using a broom handle to reach alarms a thing of the past – safer for the tenants and no more damaged alarms!

Our latest Alarm Controller (Ei450) – in a stylish, sleek design – is completely wireless, designed for use with our RadioLINK Professional alarms. It features a single button for ease of use, guiding you through the actions to take in the correct order; for example, if the alarms are in normal standby state, pressing the Controller will Test the system. If the alarms are sounding, pressing the Controller will firstly locate the source of the alarm, then pressing it again will silence the system – if it isn’t a real fire activation.
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The Controller has a unique advanced memory feature that can be used to check if an alarm has triggered when the occupant has been away from the property.

Expert Support

Whilst we make our products as simple and intuitive to install as possible, we also provide extensive technical support for system design and installation.

Register online at www.aico.co.uk for our latest highly popular RadioLINK Expert information book. RadioLINK Expert is an easy-to-use reference guide to our RadioLINK system. It covers everything you need to know, from the different types of RF systems available, how they work, through to choosing products and coding them together as a system.

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If using our new Alarm Controller, why not download our Controlfacts App for iPhone and Android. Providing a straightforward guide to using and installing the new Ei450 Alarm Controller, the Controlfacts App features animated graphics, simple instructions and useful interactive features. It is ideal for contractors to use to introduce the product to landlords, developers and home owners. The new Controlfacts App from Aico is available from the App Store and Google Play free of charge – just search for ‘Controlfacts’. Alternatively, direct links are on the Aico website – www.aico.co.uk
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A wholly owned subsidiary of Ei Electronics, Aico is the first name in residential fire protection in the UK. Aico Ltd is the exclusive supplier of RadioLINK Professional wireless interconnect alarms and devices.

All alarms are designed and built in Europe specifically to meet the UK standards and regulations. For more information, please go to www.aico.co.uk

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