How To Fit a Smoke Alarm

Added On: 30/11/1999

2 Ratings

Things you will need

Screws (should be provided with the shelf – if not then use screws that fit into the screw holes)
Washers
Masonry plugs (rawl plugs)
Pencil
Hammer
A drill with a masonry or wood drill bit (depends on what you’re are attaching the alarm too)
A smoke alarm a battery

Fitting a smoke alarm is a good idea, and it's easy...

Step 1 - Where should you place your smoke alarm?

It's best to have them on the ceiling near or in the kitchen or in a hallway.

Step 2 - Checking for wires before drilling

Get a ladder and get to the ceiling with your alarm and a pencil. Hold the alarm up and mark where the holes need to go. Don't do it near a light fitting! To be sure you don't drill into electrical cables it's a good idea to use a no-contact current & voltage detector (cheap and useful) – simply turn the device on and bring it to the ceiling to see if it detects a current close (which means there could be wiring inside the ceiling).

Step 3 - Drilling

Get your drill out and drill where you have marked with the pencil. Use a drill bit that's the right size for the masonary plugs (if it's wood you're putting it onto then just screw it straight in).

Step 4 - Fixing the smoke alarm

Get up there and tap in lightly the masonry plugs with a hammer so they are flat with the ceiling.

Put a washer over each screw so it sits by the screw head.

Now screw the alarm into the masonry plugs with the screws that will have been provided with it.

If you need screws then use ones that fit the holes in the alarm... Job done!

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