Multi-sensor alarm
The Technical Handbook – Domestic, published by Scottish Ministers to provide guidance on the Scottish building standards suggests there are 4 main types of fire detector used in dwellings:
- Optical smoke alarms.
- Ionisation smoke alarms.
- Multi-sensor alarms.
- Heat alarms.
Alarms may be hard wired or battery operated, and may be interconnected so that if one detector is triggered, all interconnected alarms sound.
It is important that the right type of fire detector is used for different situations, as false alarms can result in occupants ignoring or disabling fire detection and fire alarm systems.
The most common causes of false alarms are:
Multi-sensor alarms (or multi-criteria alarms) detect more than one fire phenomena, for example optical and heat detection. They may also include other detection capabilities, such as carbon monoxide detection.
A multi-sensor alarm provides early warning of fire and can significantly reduce the number of unwanted false alarms in certain circumstances.
Research by BRE, published in 2014, suggested that replacement of existing detectors in Kings College London with intelligent multi-sensor detectors could reduce false alarms by 69%, and that in the general building stock, the increased use of multi-sensor detectors may avert false alarms from common causes such as cooking fumes, steam and so on. Ref The causes of false fire alarms in buildings.
Intelligent multi-sensor alarms are independently addressed and continuously monitored to verify correct operation. They may also have adjustable sensitivity settings and drift compensation to account for environmental conditions. This can help identify when an alarm is genuine, as opposed to resulting from a maintenance issue or incorrect setting.
In dwellings, multi-sensor alarms are recommended in hallways and stairwells adjacent to bathrooms or shower rooms to reduce the number of unwanted false alarms.
For more information, see the BS 5839 series of standards for fire detection and fire alarm systems for buildings.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Carbon monoxide.
- Carbon monoxide detector.
- Electrotechnical industry gears up for All-IP switch.
- Fire.
- Fire detection and alarm system.
- Fire fatalities in Scotland.
- Heat alarm.
- Intruder alarm.
- Ionisation smoke alarms.
- Live investigations of false fire alarms.
- New requirements for fire detection and alarm network systems IP 12 13.
- Optical smoke alarm.
- Over £1 billion lost every year due to false alarms.
- Smoke detection in high ceiling spaces.
- Smoke detector.
- The causes of false fire alarms in buildings.
Featured articles and news
Future Homes Standard Essentials launched
Future Homes Hub launches new campaign to help the homebuilding sector prepare for the implementation of new building standards.
Building Safety recap February, 2026
Our regular run-down of key building safety related events of the month.
Planning reform: draft NPPF and industry responses.
Last chance to comment on proposed changes to the NPPF.
A Regency palace of colour and sensation. Book review.
Delayed, derailed and devalued
How the UK’s planning crisis is undermining British manufacturing.
How much does it cost to build a house?
A brief run down of key considerations from a London based practice.
The need for a National construction careers campaign
Highlighted by CIOB to cut unemployment, reduce skills gap and deliver on housing and infrastructure ambitions.
AI-Driven automation; reducing time, enhancing compliance
Sustainability; not just compliance but rethinking design, material selection, and the supply chains to support them.
Climate Resilience and Adaptation In the Built Environment
New CIOB Technical Information Sheet by Colin Booth, Professor of Smart and Sustainable Infrastructure.
Turning Enquiries into Profitable Construction Projects
Founder of Develop Coaching and author of Building Your Future; Greg Wilkes shares his insights.
IHBC Signpost: Poetry from concrete
Scotland’s fascinating historic concrete and brutalist architecture with the Engine Shed.
Demonstrating that apprenticeships work for business, people and Scotland’s economy.
Scottish parents prioritise construction and apprenticeships
CIOB data released for Scottish Apprenticeship Week shows construction as top potential career path.
From a Green to a White Paper and the proposal of a General Safety Requirement for construction products.
Creativity, conservation and craft at Barley Studio. Book review.
The challenge as PFI agreements come to an end
How construction deals with inherited assets built under long-term contracts.
Skills plan for engineering and building services
Comprehensive industry report highlights persistent skills challenges across the sector.
Choosing the right design team for a D&B Contract
An architect explains the nature and needs of working within this common procurement route.
Statement from the Interim Chief Construction Advisor
Thouria Istephan; Architect and inquiry panel member outlines ongoing work, priorities and next steps.