Mains powered
If you have moved into a new house in the last 10 years smoke alarms will have already been fitted. They will be powered by mains electricity, with an integral battery backup. The Building Regulations now require this by law.
Long-life alarms
The most common and cheapest type of alarms are powered by a battery which needs replacing every year. This can be a problem as many people simply forget to do this. The ones we fit for free on a home fire safety visit are powered by a battery that lasts for 10 years. Alternatively, if you prefer to buy your own you can also get long-lifesmoke alarms from your local DIY store.
Long-life smoke alarms are preferable, so you don't have to worry about buying a new battery every year. When a long-life smoke alarm's battery is exhausted, the whole unit is replaced.
