Aico Fire & Carbon Monoxide Detection Systems
Property & Landlords
Penmilne is an Aico Platinum Partner, the highest level of Aico’s installer programme. From Hitchin, our factory-trained engineers design, install and commission BS 5839-6 compliant smoke, heat and carbon monoxide detection for landlords, letting agents, housing associations and homeowners across Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire, with ongoing testing and maintenance.
NICEIC Approved Contractor, TrustMark endorsed, Aico Platinum Partner, ECA member and CHAS accredited. Serving Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire from Hitchin since 1977.
What does Aico Platinum Partner status mean?
Aico is one of the UK’s best-known manufacturers of mains-powered smoke, heat and carbon monoxide alarms. Platinum Partner is the top tier of its installer programme, awarded to contractors who complete Aico’s technical training and demonstrate a high standard of fire safety installation.
Penmilne’s engineers completed intensive hands-on training at Aico’s training centre in Ireland, with further sessions held at our base in Hitchin. We also have ongoing access to Aico technical support, product updates, firmware and best practice guidance, so every system is specified and commissioned correctly.
Designed to BS 5839-6
Each system is specified to the right grade and category for the property, its occupants and its fire risk, rather than a one-size-fits-all layout.
Wireless & Hard-Wired Systems
Mains-powered alarms can be interlinked by cable or by Aico RadioLINK+ wireless technology, avoiding disruptive cable runs in occupied homes.
Which fire safety services does Penmilne provide?
- System design to BS 5839-6 based on property type and fire risk
- Hard-wired and RadioLINK+ wireless alarm installations
- Smoke, heat and carbon monoxide detector placement and commissioning
- Upgrades to meet the Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm Regulations
- Annual testing, maintenance and compliance certification
Fire alarm work is often combined with a landlord EICR, void refurbishment or rewire, so detection can be upgraded while access is already arranged. Every installation is commissioned, tested and handed over with the documentation landlords and managing agents need for their records.
What is the difference between LD1, LD2 and LD3 fire detection systems?
BS 5839-6 is the British Standard for fire detection and fire alarm systems in domestic premises. It uses categories to describe how much of a home is protected. The right category depends on the type of property, who lives there and the level of fire risk.
| Category | Where detectors are installed | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| LD3 | Circulation areas forming escape routes, such as hallways and landings | Minimum protection focused on keeping escape routes clear |
| LD2 | Escape routes plus rooms where a fire is more likely to start, such as kitchens and living rooms | A common specification for new builds and many rented homes |
| LD1 | Escape routes and every room where a fire could start, excluding areas such as bathrooms | The highest level, often considered for HMOs and higher-risk occupants |
What do the grades of fire alarm system mean?
Grades describe how a system is powered and controlled. Grade F alarms run on batteries alone. Grade D2 alarms are mains powered with a user-replaceable back-up battery, and Grade D1 alarms are mains powered with a sealed, long-life back-up battery. Grade C and Grade A systems use central control equipment and are generally found in larger HMOs and sheltered housing schemes.
What smoke and carbon monoxide alarms must landlords provide in England?
Under the Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (England) Regulations 2015, as amended in 2022, private and social landlords must:
- Fit at least one smoke alarm on every storey used wholly or partly as living accommodation
- Fit a carbon monoxide alarm in any room used as living accommodation that contains a fixed combustion appliance, excluding gas cookers
- Check alarms are working on the first day of each new tenancy
- Repair or replace alarms promptly once told they are faulty
These are minimum legal requirements. BS 5839-6 often recommends a higher level of protection, particularly for HMOs and homes with vulnerable residents, and Penmilne can advise on the right specification for each property.
What clients say about our fire safety work
The electrician was brilliant, such a gentleman and an absolute pleasure to have in my elderly mothers’ home. Mum was over the moon, thank you for all hard work and care your staff gave to my mother.
Mrs H, St Albans
At the new build property they found that the smoke alarm system, although appearing to be operational, had not been wired correctly… I was notified immediately, and a suitable time was again put in place for the engineers to replace 3 smoke alarms and to link them to the existing detector in order to ensure my tenants are safe.
Mrs P M, Landlord, Shillington
Fire detection questions answered
Yes. Aico mains-powered alarms with sealed back-up batteries are widely used in private and social rented housing because they meet BS 5839-6, need little maintenance and are difficult for occupants to tamper with.
RadioLINK+ is Aico’s wireless interconnection technology. It links mains-powered smoke, heat and carbon monoxide alarms by radio, so when one alarm sounds they all sound, without cable runs between rooms and floors.
Kitchens usually need a heat alarm. Cooking fumes cause false alarms from smoke detectors, whereas a heat alarm responds to a rapid rise in temperature, which is why BS 5839-6 recommends heat alarms in kitchens.
Occupants should press the test button regularly, and landlords must check alarms work at the start of each tenancy. Penmilne also offers annual testing and maintenance, including interconnection checks, cleaning and recorded results.
Yes. Mains-powered alarms connect to the fixed electrical installation, so they must be installed and certified by a competent electrician in line with BS 7671.
Smoke and heat alarms should generally be replaced every ten years, and carbon monoxide alarms have a similar lifespan. Each alarm is marked with a replacement date, and replacements can be built into a planned maintenance schedule.