Fit a battery heat alarm to a concrete ceiling

Fit a battery heat alarm to a solid concrete kitchen ceiling safely and to the right position.

HA-01Check what's required and choose your spotHeat alarms belong in kitchens, not smoke alarms, because cooking fumes set smoke alarms off falsely. Pick a spot in the centre of the ceiling, at least 300mm from any wall and 300mm from light fittings or the cooker extractor. Avoid corners, where hot air doesn't circulate properly.

RULES

KNOW THE RULES

Building Regulations (Approved Document B) set out where alarms are needed in new work or extensions, and rented homes have their own legal requirement under the Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm Regulations. Check which applies to your property before you decide the alarm is optional.

HA-02Gather your tools and clear the areaLay a dust sheet under the work area — concrete drilling makes a lot of fine dust. Set up your steps so you can reach the ceiling comfortably without stretching. Have your SDS drill, masonry bit, plugs, screws and the alarm's baseplate to hand.

1 each · Dust sheet

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HA-03Run a detector over the spot, then drill carefullyEven on a concrete ceiling, cables and conduit can be chased into the surface, and pipework can run above if there's a room over the kitchen. Sweep the area with your detector, but treat the result as a guide, not a guarantee — detectors miss deep or shielded cables. Before you drill, find your stopcock (usually under the kitchen sink) and check it turns freely so you can shut water off fast if you hit a pipe. If you have any doubt, isolate the relevant circuit at the consumer unit before drilling.

HA-04Mark and drill the fixing holesHold the baseplate against the ceiling and mark through its screw holes with a pencil. Fit a 6mm masonry bit to your SDS drill and drill each hole to about 40mm deep, holding the drill square to the ceiling. Blow or vacuum the dust out of each hole.

1 each · SDS masonry drill bit, 6mm x 110mm

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HA-05Fit the plugs and screw up the baseplatePush a red masonry wall plug into each hole until it's flush with the ceiling. Hold the baseplate in place and drive a screw into each plug until it's tight, but don't overtighten and crack the plaster skim if there is one.

2 each · Red masonry wall plugs, 6mm

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2 each · Screws, 4mm x 40mm

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HA-06Fit the alarm to the baseplate and activate itTwist or clip the alarm body onto the baseplate until it locks — most sealed 10-year alarms are ready to go straight out of the box. If yours has a separate battery, fit it now, following the manufacturer's instructions.

1 each · 10-year sealed battery heat alarm

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HA-07Test itPress and hold the test button until the alarm sounds. If it's part of a wireless interlinked set with other alarms in the house, check the other units sound too. Don't test it with a real flame or heat source.

HA-08Clear up and set a reminderFold the dust sheet inward to trap the dust and vacuum any remaining mess from the floor and worktop. Wipe down surfaces if fine concrete dust has settled. Set a reminder to test the alarm monthly, and note the 10-year replacement date somewhere you'll see it.

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