A heat alarm and a smoke alarm do different jobs. Smoke alarms detect combustion particles or photoelectric obscuration — perfect for bedrooms, hallways and living rooms where any smoke is an emergency. In a kitchen, the same sensor false-triggers every time the toaster runs hot or the pan boils over, which trains occupants to ignore the alarm. BS 5839-6 explicitly recommends heat alarms in kitchens for this reason.
A BS 5839-6 LD2 schedule — the standard for London HMOs and rentals — requires a heat alarm in every kitchen, interlinked into the rest of the smoke alarm system. We use the Aico Ei3014 or FireAngel HT-630 depending on brand match. Both detect a rapid temperature rise (typically >57°C/min) and trigger every alarm in the interlink, giving the same warning as a smoke alarm without the cooking nuisance.
Electrician London installs heat alarms at £170 per point as part of an LD2 schedule, or as a standalone retrofit to an existing smoke alarm system. The price covers the alarm, the wiring or radio interlink, the commissioning test and the BS 5839-6 logbook entry.
Why Electrician London
Kitchen-grade fixed temperature
Triggers at >57°C/min rate-of-rise or 90°C fixed temperature. Tolerates steam, smoke from toasters and standard cooking — only a real fire trips it.
BS 5839-6 LD2 schedule
Mandatory in kitchens under LD2 — the London HMO licensing baseline. Plant rooms, lofts and garages also covered.
Interlinks with smoke alarm system
Wired 3-core+E or radio-linked (Aico Ei3000RF). One detection scheme covers smoke, heat and CO across the whole property.
Same Grade D + battery backup
Mains-powered with sealed 72-hour battery. Same compliance and reliability as the smoke alarms it links to.
Heat alarm installation pricing
Per-point pricing covers alarm, interconnect and certificate.
Heat alarm install
Grade D mains + battery, BS 5839-6
£170 / point
Radio-linked heat retrofit
Aico Ei3014RF — no plaster damage
£200 / point
Heat alarm added to existing smoke system
Extends 3-core+E or radio mesh
£170 / point
Heat alarm replacement (existing wiring)
End-of-life like-for-like swap
£170 / point
Annual inspection (heat alarms inclusive)
Test, logbook entry, all alarms
£85
What's included
- Heat alarm head (Aico Ei3014 or FireAngel HT-630)
- Mains supply from the lighting circuit
- Wired 3-core+E or radio interlink
- Sealed 72-hour battery backup
- BS 5839-6 commissioning test
- Minor Works Electrical Installation Certificate
- Logbook entry and install photographs
- Tenant briefing on heat alarm role
Frequently asked questions
Why heat and not smoke in a kitchen?
Because a smoke alarm in a kitchen false-triggers from cooking steam, toast burns and pan smoke — training occupants to disable or ignore it. A heat alarm only responds to a rapid temperature rise, ignoring routine cooking. BS 5839-6 explicitly recommends heat alarms in kitchens for this reason.
Is a kitchen heat alarm legally required?
Under BS 5839-6 LD2 — yes. LD2 mandates detection in escape routes and in "rooms presenting a high fire risk", which includes kitchens. London licensing boroughs treat LD2 as the HMO baseline. The 2015 Smoke and CO Regulations require "a smoke alarm on every storey" but the practical interpretation in HMOs is the BS 5839-6 LD2 schedule.
What temperature does the heat alarm trigger at?
The Aico Ei3014 and FireAngel HT-630 use a rate-of-rise trigger (>57°C/min) and a fixed-temperature trigger (90°C). Either condition trips the alarm. The combination means a slowly-developing kitchen fire eventually trips on fixed-temperature even if the rise rate is gentle.
Can the heat alarm interlink with smoke alarms?
Yes — and it must, under BS 5839-6 LD2. The heat alarm fits into the same wired or radio interlink as the rest of the system. A heat event sounds every smoke alarm in the property within ten seconds, just like a smoke event.
Where in the kitchen does the heat alarm go?
Centrally on the kitchen ceiling, at least 300mm from any wall, light fitting or extract fan. Mount as high as possible — heat rises, so peak-rise sensitivity is at the ceiling. If the kitchen has a vaulted ceiling, BS 5839-6 Annex C gives positional guidance for sloped surfaces.
Do I need a heat alarm in a small kitchen-diner?
BS 5839-6 distinguishes a "kitchen" from a "kitchen-diner". A small dedicated kitchen (under 4m × 4m approx) gets a heat alarm. An open-plan kitchen-diner usually gets a heat alarm above the cooking zone plus a smoke alarm at least 7.5m away in the dining zone. Survey decides.
How long do heat alarms last?
Ten years from manufacture, same as smoke alarms. The temperature-rise sensor is more robust than an optical chamber but the standard service life is harmonised across the BS 5839-6 detector family.
Can the heat alarm be radio-linked?
Yes — the Aico Ei3014 accepts the Ei3000RF radio module like the smoke alarms. Useful for retrofits where chasing the kitchen ceiling for cable is impractical. Compliance and reliability identical to wired interlink.
Related services
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