Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms in Cirencester

Smoke alarms are cheap, save lives, and still get ignored because the beeping at 3am means somebody has to climb a stool to change the battery. Martin fits and services battery-powered smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms across Cirencester and the surrounding villages.

What is included

Supply and fitting of new battery smoke alarms (optical for living rooms and landings, ionisation where appropriate), carbon monoxide alarms near boilers, gas fires and log burners, replacement of old or expired alarms (they all have a ten-year life stamped on the back), battery changes in awkward positions (high ceilings, stairwells, double-height halls), test and walk-through with you on how to hush and test each alarm, and a quick check of where existing alarms are positioned compared with current Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue guidance.

Most modern alarms are sealed ten-year units, which removes the battery problem altogether. When an old alarm gets replaced, Martin usually fits a sealed unit so the only next job is to replace the whole thing in a decade.

What is NOT included

Mains-wired smoke alarm systems (the interlinked ones common in newer builds) are notifiable electrical work under Part P, and that is a registered electrician's job. If you are in a newer-build home with mains alarms and one is chirping, Martin can still change the battery backup and advise, but a full replacement of the mains unit is not his work.

How long it takes

A single battery alarm replacement is 15 to 30 minutes. A full house refresh (three or four alarms plus a CO alarm) is usually under an hour. A walk-through to check current positioning against guidance adds 15 to 20 minutes.

Pricing

First hour £55, which covers most domestic jobs. Alarms can be supplied by you or picked up at cost. Good ten-year sealed optical smoke alarms are around £15 to £25 each, and a basic CO alarm is around £20 to £30. Martin will tell you the cost before picking them up.

Common questions

Where should my alarms go? A smoke alarm on every floor, ideally in circulation areas like landings and hallways, and a CO alarm within one to three metres of any gas or solid fuel appliance. Martin will check your current positions against that on the visit.

My alarm chirps but the battery is new. That usually means the alarm has reached end of life. Check the date stamp on the back. If it is older than ten years, replace the whole unit.

Can you fit one in my holiday let? Yes. If you are renting out a property, the rules are stricter and Martin will point you at the current guidance so you know where you stand.