We are buying a new build with a smoke alarm in the kitchen and hallway. But I want an extra device under the stairs where the consumer unit and meters are.
Do i need a heat alarm or smoke or combined? Also is the optical the same as the photoelectric? Thanks Nicky

Hi Nicky

You should select an optical smoke alarm, which by the way is the same as a photoelectric smoke alarm (they 'see' the smoke). Optical alarms are good for smouldering fires such as caused by electrical equipment. They also are less likely to give false alarms near a kitchen. In your case I would go for the pure optical alarm and not a combined optical/heat alarm.

Harry