Heat Alarm Installation Guide UK¶

Complete guide to installing heat alarms in UK kitchens, garages, and areas where smoke alarms cause false activations.

Why Heat Alarms Are Essential in UK Kitchens¶

Heat alarms detect rapid temperature rises rather than smoke, making them ideal for kitchens, garages, and boiler rooms where cooking fumes or exhaust would trigger standard smoke alarms. Approved Document B and BS 5839-6 mandate heat alarms in kitchens of new builds and HMOs. The Aico EI3024 mains-powered heat alarm costs around £30-£40, while FireAngel and Kidde offer battery models from £20. Heat alarms activate at 58 degreesC to 65 degreesC and are colour-coded yellow for easy identification. They must interconnect with other alarms in the system so the whole house is alerted if a fire starts in the kitchen.

Where and How to Install Heat Alarms¶

Install the heat alarm on the kitchen ceiling at least 300mm from walls and not directly above the hob or oven - position it away from steam sources. Avoid locations near extractor fans or ventilation grilles where airflow delays detection. For garages, mount centrally on the ceiling. Fix using the supplied screws and rawl plugs for plasterboard or masonry. Connect mains-powered units to a 230V spur switched from the lighting circuit. Use interconnect wires (three-core and earth) for hardwired linking, or radio-frequency (RF) modules for wireless interconnection. Test weekly using the test button and vacuum dust from the sensor every three months.

Specifications and Comparison¶

Heat Alarm Model	Power Source	RRP	UK Supplier
Aico EI3024	Mains + battery backup	£35	Screwfix/Toolstation
FireAngel TA-6300	Battery (10yr lithium)	£22	B&Q
Ei Electronics Ei3014	Mains + battery backup	£32	Amazon UK
Kidde 10Y29	Battery (10yr sealed)	£25	Argos

FAQ¶

Can a heat alarm replace a smoke alarm in the kitchen?: Yes - heat alarms are specifically designed for kitchens where smoke alarms would cause nuisance false alarms from cooking.
Do heat alarms need to be interlinked?: Yes, best practice under BS 5839-6 is for heat alarms in kitchens to interlink with smoke alarms on circulation routes and landings.
What temperature triggers a heat alarm?: Most UK heat alarms activate between 58 degreesC and 65 degreesC using a thermistor or rate-of-rise sensor to detect sudden temperature spikes. For more information see our Smoke Alarm Installation Guide UK.

Last updated: 2026-05-31.

External Resources¶

For further information consult authority guidelines at the National Security Inspectorate.