I have always been happy with the quality of work delivered by Oval Electrical over the last few years.
1) Smoke and Heat Alarm Installation in Brighton & Hove
A landlord in Kemptown called me a couple of months back. He'd just bought a property he was converting into an HMO, and once we got talking it became clear there wasn't a single smoke alarm installed in the property. Not one. Alongside a few other electrical upgrades the place needed, this was the priority. For an HMO, it's not optional.
We had to install a grade D1 LD3 system, which means smoke alarms in every room a fire could realistically start, a heat alarm in the kitchen, and the whole lot interlinked, one goes off, they all go off. For the alarms I used Aico's tamperproof range. The battery's sealed in, so tenants can't pull it out or disable it down the line. Landlords prefer these for obvious reasons. We got the whole job done in a day, working around the other renovation work going on in the property at the same time.
That's roughly the turnaround landlords and letting agents need when there's a completion date or tenancy start coming up fast.
2) What's involved
Most jobs follow the same pattern.
Get in touch Either give us a call or fill out our contact form
If needed, I'll arrange a site visit to look at what the property actually requires.
You'll get a written quote before anything's booked in.
Once you're happy to go ahead, we'll find a date that suits.
Work gets carried out quickly and tidily, minimal disruption.
Job done, certificates issued.
Most jobs can be finished in a day. Something like the Kemptown HMO, where we're fitting a full interlinked system alongside other work, can run to a day or two depending on access and how many alarms are needed.
Back to top3) Why landlords, letting agents and homeowners use me for this
NAPIT registered, ten years doing this kind of work, 100 five-star reviews on Google. Most of those reviews come from people who just needed the job done properly and on time, no fuss about it.
Every installation comes with a 12-month workmanship guarantee, full testing and certification included. If you're managing several properties, you'll have a record of what's been installed, when, and that it's been signed off correctly. Handy to have on file.
Back to top4) What I see going wrong
The most common issue isn't missing alarms, It's expired alarms. Smoke alarms have a replace-by date, usually around ten years after fitting, after which the sensor starts to degrade. I was on a job in Woodingdean recently and mentioned this in passing while doing other work. The homeowner's reaction was the usual one: "They have an expiry date?" Three of the alarms in that property were well past theirs, so we fitted new ones the same day, on top of the work I was originally there for.
Worth getting yours checked if they've been up for a decade or more. They can look fine on the wall and still not work properly when it matters.
5) Materials and equipment
I fit Aico as standard across these jobs, tamperproof units for rental properties in particular.
Back to top6) Pricing
Cost depends on the property. How many alarms, whether it's a straightforward swap or a full interlinked LD1 system, how easy access is. You'll get a written quote before anything's booked in.
Back to top7) FAQs
Do I legally need smoke alarms?
It depends on a few different factors, For private homeowners you dont have to have them but if you plan any major renovations such as a loft or kitchen extension you may have to get them installed. For Landlords it all depends on the size of the property and how many tenants will be living there if it is a HMO.
What is an interlinked system?
Interlinked alarms talk to each other, so if one detects smoke or heat, they all go off together in the other parts of the property.
How long does installation take?
Most domestic jobs are done in a day. Something more involved, like a fully interlinked LD1 system, can take a day or two depending on the size of the property and access. I'll give you a clearer timeframe once I've seen the property or had a proper look at the layout.
Do smoke alarms actually expire?
Yes and it catches everyone out. The sensor inside degrades over time, typically around the ten-year mark, and after that it's not as reliable at picking up smoke. If your alarms have been up a while and you're not sure when they were fitted, it's worth getting them checked.
What brand of alarms do you use?
Aico, including their tamperproof range for rental properties. The battery's sealed in on those, so tenants can't remove or disable it.
Will I get a certificate?
Yes, every job will get a certificate if it is required. For example installing a whole new system you will receive an installation certificate. But just replacing the 1x smoke alarm head you do not need a certificate.
How much does it cost?
Depends on the property: how many alarms, whether it's a straightforward swap or a full interlinked system, and how easy access is. You'll always get a written quote before anything's booked in, so there are no surprises.
What if I'm not sure what my property needs?
That's normal, most people aren't clued up on the different alarm grades and categories. I'll arrange a site visit, take a look at the layout, and tell you straight what's actually required rather than overselling you on something you don't need.
Back to top8) Getting in touch
If you're a landlord with a property due for inspection, a letting agent juggling compliance across several addresses, or a homeowner who's just realised your alarms might be older than you thought, get in touch and I'll arrange a time to come and take a look. You'll know what's happening, what it costs, and when I'll be there.
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