Home & Kitchen Buying guide
Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms: what UK homes need
What should you know before choosing?
Fit at least one smoke alarm on every level of your home, a heat alarm rather than a smoke alarm in the kitchen, and an audible carbon monoxide alarm in each room with a gas, oil, coal or wood-burning appliance. Every home in Scotland must have interlinked smoke and heat alarms, and rented homes in England and Wales have their own minimum rules. Sealed 10-year alarms marked to BS EN 14604 (smoke), BS 5446-2 (heat) and EN 50291 (carbon monoxide) avoid battery changes.
Options at a glance
Compare the options- For interlinked smoke alarms without wiring
Aico Ei650iRF RadioLINK+ optical smoke alarm
Find model on Amazon* - For the kitchen
Aico Ei630iRF RadioLINK+ heat alarm
Find model on Amazon* - For rooms with a boiler, fire or stove
Aico Ei208 carbon monoxide alarm
Find model on Amazon*
Aico Ei650iRF RadioLINK+ optical smoke alarm
Amazon UK
A battery optical smoke alarm with a sealed lithium cell for its 10-year life. It links wirelessly with other Aico RadioLINK, RadioLINK+ and SmartLINK alarms, and Aico states it is Kitemarked to BS EN 14604 and compliant with Scottish legislation.
Check before buying: It only interlinks with Aico's own radio systems, so mixing brands in one system is not possible.
Why it's a good thing: No battery changes during its life; the whole unit is replaced at ten years, as official guidance describes for 10-year alarms.
- The sealed battery is designed to last the alarm's full 10-year life, so there are no battery changes.
- It links wirelessly with Aico RadioLINK, RadioLINK+ and SmartLINK alarms, including the Ei630iRF heat alarm.
- Aico states it is Kitemarked to BS EN 14604 and compliant with Scottish legislation.
- It only interlinks with Aico's own radio systems, so mixing brands in one system is not possible.
- Kitchens are not in Aico's list of suitable rooms, so you need a separate heat alarm there.
Aico Ei630iRF RadioLINK+ heat alarm
Amazon UK
A heat alarm for kitchens, where smoke alarms are prone to nuisance alarms from cooking. It has a sealed 10-year lithium cell, links wirelessly with Aico RF smoke alarms and is Kitemarked to BS 5446-2.
Check before buying: It detects heat rather than smoke, so it does not replace smoke alarms in hallways, landings or living rooms.
Why it's a good thing: Heat detection avoids cooking false alarms, which can tempt people to remove a smoke alarm from a kitchen.
- A heat sensor avoids the cooking-smoke nuisance alarms that smoke alarms suffer in kitchens.
- It meets the heat alarm standard (BS 5446-2) named in Scottish Government guidance.
- It links wirelessly with Aico's RF smoke alarms, and the battery is sealed for 10 years.
- It detects heat rather than smoke, so it does not replace smoke alarms in hallways, landings or living rooms.
- It only interlinks with Aico's own RadioLINK, RadioLINK+ and SmartLINK products.
Aico Ei208 carbon monoxide alarm
Amazon UK
A standalone carbon monoxide alarm with an electrochemical sensor and a sealed 10-year lithium battery. Aico lists BS EN 50291-1 and BS EN 50291-2 approvals and Kitemark KM 86596. It can be screw-fixed or free-standing.
Check before buying: It is standalone. Aico sells a separate RadioLINK+ version (Ei208WRF) for wireless systems.
Why it's a good thing: Sealed battery and a stated 10-year lifespan. An alarm does not replace servicing your fuel-burning appliances.
- The sealed battery has a stated 10-year lifespan, so there are no battery changes.
- It lists BS EN 50291-1 approval and a Kitemark number, which matches what official guidance asks for.
- It can be screw-fixed or stood free, which helps when following placement instructions.
- It is standalone. Aico sells a separate RadioLINK+ version (Ei208WRF) for wireless systems.
- The page describes coloured indicators only and does not mention a CO level display.
FireAngel FP2620W2-R Pro Connected smart smoke alarm
Amazon UK
A battery smoke alarm with a sealed lithium cell for its working life. It interlinks with up to 50 FireAngel Pro Connected or Wi-Safe 2 devices, and app alerts need the separately sold Pro Connected Gateway. FireAngel states BS EN 14604 certification.
Check before buying: Phone notifications need the separately sold Pro Connected Gateway.
Why it's a good thing: Nothing to replace during the alarm's life. FireAngel's own shop listed it as out of stock when we checked on 23 October 2026.
- It interlinks up to 50 Pro Connected or Wi-Safe 2 smoke, heat and CO alarms, so they all sound together.
- The sealed battery lasts the product's life, with nothing to replace.
- FireAngel states BS EN 14604 certification with both BSI Kitemark and LPCB approval.
- Phone notifications need the separately sold Pro Connected Gateway.
- FireAngel's own shop listed it as out of stock when checked on 23 October 2026. It only interlinks with FireAngel Pro Connected and Wi-Safe 2 devices.
FireAngel FA6620-R optical smoke alarm
Amazon UK
A standalone optical smoke alarm with a sealed 10-year lithium battery, an 85dB(A) sounder and a quiet test mode. Its page does not say it can be interlinked, so it does not meet rules that require interlinked alarms.
Check before buying: The page does not say it can be interlinked, so it does not meet rules that require interlinked alarms (Scotland, and rented homes in Wales).
Why it's a good thing: A sealed battery avoids replacement batteries. Check the interlinking rules for your nation or tenancy first.
- The sealed 10-year battery means no battery changes.
- The quiet test mode makes regular (at least monthly) testing less disruptive.
- It fits with two screws or onto an existing baseplate.
- The page does not say it can be interlinked, so it does not meet rules that require interlinked alarms (Scotland, and rented homes in Wales).
- The page names EN 14604 certification but does not mention a Kitemark or LPCB mark.
Aico Ei3016 mains optical smoke alarm
Amazon UK
A mains-powered optical smoke alarm with a rechargeable 10-year lithium back-up cell. It interconnects by hard wiring, by radio with the separate Ei3000MRF module, or both. Mains alarms must be fitted by a qualified electrician.
Check before buying: Mains-wired alarms must be fitted by a qualified electrician, which adds installation cost.
Why it's a good thing: No primary batteries to replace; Aico states a 10-year guarantee.
- It runs on mains power with a rechargeable lithium back-up, so there are no primary batteries to replace.
- It can interconnect by hard wiring, by radio with the Ei3000MRF module, or a mix of both.
- Aico states a 10-year guarantee.
- Mains-wired alarms must be fitted by a qualified electrician, which adds installation cost.
- Wireless interconnection needs the separate Ei3000MRF module.
What do the rules require?
The rules depend on where you live and whether you rent.
- Scotland: every home must have interlinked fire alarms, according to the Scottish Government. Smoke and heat alarms go on the ceiling and must be interlinked. A carbon monoxide (CO) detector is needed in any room with a carbon-fuelled appliance such as a boiler or fire, but it does not need to be linked to the other alarms. Gas cookers and hobs do not need one.
- England (private rented homes): landlords must fit at least one smoke alarm on each storey and a CO alarm in any room with a fixed combustion appliance, excluding gas cookers. The rules do not set the type of alarm.
- Wales (rented homes): landlords must fit a working, mains-powered, interlinked smoke alarm on every storey, and a CO alarm in any room with a gas, oil or solid fuel appliance they installed.
For every home, Home Office guidance says to fit at least one smoke alarm on every level and to test smoke alarms at least monthly. It says heat alarms suit kitchens, where smoke alarms should not be placed. The NHS advises an audible CO alarm in each room with an appliance that burns gas, oil, coal or wood.
How to choose
- Standard marking: smoke alarms to BS EN 14604, heat alarms to BS 5446-2, CO alarms to EN 50291 (Scottish Government list). Look for the Kitemark or LPCB symbol.
- Right alarm for the room: optical smoke alarms for hallways, landings and living areas; a heat alarm in the kitchen; a CO alarm in each room with a fuel-burning appliance.
- Power: sealed 10-year lithium battery (you can fit it yourself) or mains with battery back-up (must be fitted by a qualified electrician). Rented homes in Wales need mains-powered, interlinked smoke alarms.
- Interlinking: required for all homes in Scotland. Radio interlink works within a manufacturer’s own system, so check the alarm lists the smoke, heat and CO models you plan to link (for example Aico RadioLINK+ or FireAngel Wi-Safe 2).
- CO alarms should be audible (the NHS advises one that makes a loud sound) and placed following the manufacturer’s instructions for the specific model.
- Check the replacement date: 10-year alarms are replaced as a whole unit, not re-batteried.
- App alerts are optional extras. Some systems need a separately sold gateway for phone notifications.
Before you buy anything
If you rent, your landlord has to provide the alarms: in England, at least one smoke alarm on each storey and a CO alarm in rooms with a fixed combustion appliance (gas cookers excluded); in Scotland, the property owner must meet the interlinked alarm standard; in Wales, mains-powered interlinked smoke alarms on every storey and CO alarms where the landlord installed a fuel-burning appliance. Ask your landlord before buying. Fire and rescue services also offer free home fire safety visits: the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service books visits on 0800 0731 999 and fits interlinked alarms for owner-occupiers assessed as high risk, Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue offers free visits to vulnerable people, and Home Office guidance says local services ‘will be happy to install them for you’ if fitting alarms is difficult. If your existing alarms are within their stated life and pass the test button, you only need to keep testing them.
Specifications at a glance
Specifications are quoted from each manufacturer’s page, checked on 23 October 2026. Follow the instructions for the exact model when fitting and placing an alarm.
| Alarm | Type | Power | Interlinking | Standard stated by the maker |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aico Ei650iRF RadioLINK+ optical smoke alarm | Optical smoke | Sealed 10-year lithium battery | Wireless, Aico RadioLINK/SmartLINK | BS EN 14604 (Kitemark) |
| Aico Ei630iRF RadioLINK+ heat alarm | Heat | Sealed 10-year lithium cell | Wireless, Aico RadioLINK/SmartLINK | BS 5446-2 (Kitemark) |
| Aico Ei208 carbon monoxide alarm | Carbon monoxide | Sealed 10-year lithium battery | Standalone | BS EN 50291-1 and -2 (Kitemark KM 86596) |
| FireAngel FP2620W2-R Pro Connected smart smoke alarm | Smoke (optical with thermal sensing) | Sealed lithium battery for its working life | Wireless, up to 50 FireAngel devices | BS EN 14604 |
| FireAngel FA6620-R optical smoke alarm | Optical smoke | Sealed 10-year lithium battery | Not stated on its page | EN 14604 |
| Aico Ei3016 mains optical smoke alarm | Optical smoke | Mains, with 10-year rechargeable back-up | Hard-wired, or radio with Ei3000MRF module | BS EN 14604 |
Sources behind this guide
These sources support the comparison; they are separate from the shopping links. Manufacturer statements have not been independently tested by us.
- Scottish Government: Fire and smoke alarms: the law (what each home needs)
- Scottish Government: Fire and smoke alarms: the law (where and what to buy)
- GOV.UK: Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (England) Regulations Q&A booklet for landlords and tenants
- Welsh Government: Fitness for human habitation: guidance for tenants (contract holders)
- GOV.UK (Home Office): Fire safety in the home (accessible version)
- Scottish Fire and Rescue Service: Alarms
- Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue: Fire alarms and carbon monoxide detectors
- NHS: Carbon monoxide poisoning
- Aico — Ei650iRF RadioLINK+ optical smoke alarm
- Aico — Ei630iRF RadioLINK+ heat alarm
- Aico — Ei208 carbon monoxide alarm
- FireAngel — FP2620W2-R Pro Connected smart smoke alarm
- FireAngel — FA6620-R optical smoke alarm
- Aico — Ei3016 mains optical smoke alarm
How we choose
Manufacturer product pages and official guidance from the Scottish, UK and Welsh governments, fire and rescue services and the NHS checked on 23 October 2026. We compare documented specifications and legal requirements. We have not tested these alarms or verified current Amazon listings, sellers, stock or prices. This is a research-based review, not a hands-on lab test.
Our values filter: We favour lifetime warranties, spare-parts availability, and materials that outlast cheaper versions.
Prices change — check the retailer for today's price.
Common questions
- Do my smoke alarms need to be interlinked?
- In Scotland, yes: every home must have interlinked smoke and heat alarms fitted to the ceiling, though the carbon monoxide detector does not need to be linked. In Wales, rented homes need at least one hard-wired, interlinked smoke alarm on each storey. England's rules for landlords require at least one smoke alarm on each storey and do not specify the alarm type. Owner-occupiers in England can choose for themselves, but interlinking means an alarm sounds throughout the home.
- Should I put a smoke alarm in my kitchen?
- No. Home Office fire safety guidance says heat alarms can detect fires in kitchens where smoke alarms should not be placed. Scotland's rules require a heat alarm, not a smoke alarm, in the kitchen. An optical smoke alarm in the hallway next to the kitchen is less likely to be set off by cooking.
- Where do I need a carbon monoxide alarm?
- The NHS advises an audible CO alarm in each room containing an appliance that burns gas, oil, coal or wood. Scottish rules say gas cookers and hobs do not need one. Place it where the manufacturer's instructions say. An alarm does not replace servicing: the NHS advises having boilers, heaters and cookers serviced regularly by a qualified and registered engineer.
- How often should I test my alarms, and when should I replace them?
- Home Office guidance says to test smoke alarms at least monthly, and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service recommends a weekly press of the test button. Ten-year alarms are replaced as a whole unit every ten years, and the Scottish Government says mains-wired alarms should also be replaced every 10 years. CO alarms have a stated life too (Aico gives the Ei208's sealed battery a 10-year lifespan), so check the date on the unit.
- Sealed battery or mains-powered: which should I choose?
- Both are accepted in Scotland. Sealed battery alarms must be tamper-proof with long-life lithium batteries lasting up to 10 years, and homeowners can fit them. Mains-wired alarms must be fitted by a qualified electrician. Rented homes in Wales need mains-powered smoke alarms. Both types can be interlinked by radio and do not need Wi-Fi.
