230V~ SMOKE & HEAT ALARMS

ALKALINE BATTERY BACK-UP

Ei141RC - Ionisation Ei144RC - Heat Ei146RC - Optical

RECHARGEABLE LITHIUM CELL BACK-UP

Ei161RC - Ionisation Ei164RC - Heat Ei166RC - Optical

USER INSTRUCTIONS

1. REGULAR CHECKS

Look for:
Constant green light
Red light flash every 40 sec.

Press test button for 10 sec.

Alarm will sound loudly.

Vacuum around
side vents to clean.

P/N B17682 Rev0 © Ei Electronics 2013

 2. ALARM REMOVAL

LOCATE REMOVAL SLOT

TO RE
M
SCREW OVE PU
DRIV

SH
& PUS ER I
H CO NTO
VER
A

WAY
SLOT
LOCATE THE ARROW ON THE FRONT FACE OF THE ALARM.
THE SLOT IS LOCATED DIRECTLY ABOVE THE ARROW.

INSERT SCREWDRIVER

INSERT A FLAT-BLADED SCREWDRIVER HORIZONTALLY

APPROX. 1cm INTO THE CENTRE OF THE REMOVAL SLOT

SLIDE ALARM OFF BASE

WITH THE SCREWDRIVER STILL INSERTED, PUSH THE LOWER

HALF OF THE ALARM AWAY FROM THE SCREWDRIVER, IN THE
DIRECTION OF THE ARROW ON THE COVER

REMOVE ALARM

HOLD THE LOWER HALF OF THE ALARM AND REMOVE FROM

THE BASE PLATE BY MOVING IT VERTICALLY DOWNWARDS,
TOWARDS THE FLOOR.

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3. IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Do not paint your alarm. Do not allow

paint, water or dust to contaminate your
alarm.

Your alarm is a mains 230V AC

electrical appliance. Do not open or
insert anything into the alarm.

Regularly check that the green mains

indicator light on the cover is lit.

Test weekly - press and hold the test

button on the alarm for 10 seconds. The
alarm will sound loudly and the red light
on the cover should flash rapidly. All the
other interconnected alarms should sound.

If alarm beeps once every 40 seconds for

over 20 minutes, the battery is probably
depleted (models Ei141RC/144RC/146RC
only) and must be replaced.
(see "CHANGING THE BATTERY" section).

If a nuisance alarm occurs, press the

test/hush button to silence the alarm for
10 minutes.

Clean your alarm regularly. This will

reduce the risk of false alarms.

Remove or completely cover your alarm

when decorating to prevent dust or other
contamination damaging the unit.

If your alarm sounds for no reason and

will not reset, it can be removed by
releasing the clip on the base.
(see "ALARM REMOVAL" section).

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 4. CHANGING THE BATTERY
(Models Ei141RC / 144RC / 146RC only)
1. Switch off mains power to alarm (green light on cover
should go out).
2. Remove unit as shown in “ALARM REMOVAL”
section on page 2.
3. Locate battery slot in base of alarm as shown below.
4. Unclip battery from battery snap connectors.
5. Connect new battery by clipping back on to battery
snap connectors. Use only 9V Alkaline batteries
Duracell MN1604, Energizer 522. Other batteries
can cause problems.
We recommend that the “use by date” on the
battery should still have at least 2 years to go. Older
batteries will give beeps prematurely.
6. Slide unit back on to the base. A click should be
heard as the alarm engages. (The unit cannot be
replaced on the base unless a battery is installed).
7. Press and hold the test button - horn should sound
loudly.
8. Reinstate mains power to alarm (green light on cover
ONLY) should come on).

(Ei141RC/144RC
/146RC ONLY)

We recommend that the battery is replaced at least

every three years for optimum performance.

5. TESTING & MAINTAINING YOUR

ALARM
INSPECTION &TESTING PROCEDURE
Check all your alarms weekly, especially after initial
installation or after re-occupation (e.g. following a
holiday):
(i) Check that the green mains indicator light is on.
(If it is off check circuit breakers, fuses and wiring etc.)
Check that the red led on the cover flashes once every
40 seconds to indicate normal operation.
If the memory has been set indicating that the Alarm
has been activated in the last 24 hours, the red light
will flash twice every 40 seconds. After 24 hours the
memory will be cleared.

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(ii) Press the test button for up to 10 seconds to
ensure the sensor chamber, electronics and sounder
are working. A red light on the cover, will flash while
horn is sounding. The alarm will stop when the button is
released. Pressing the test button simulates the effect
of smoke or heat during a real fire and is the best way
to ensure the Alarm is operating correctly. This action
will also clear the memory.
WARNING: DO NOT TEST WITH FLAME
This can set fire to the Alarm and damage the
house­
We do not recommend testing with smoke or heat as
the results can be misleading unless special apparatus
is used.
(iii) Check for any sign of contamination such as
cobwebs or dust and clean the alarm as described in
the “CLEANING YOUR ALARM” section, if necessary.
(iv) Interconnected Alarms only - Test the first unit by
pressing the button for 10 seconds. All the units should
alarm within 10 seconds of the first horn sounding.­
The red light on the first unit only will flash about once
a second. On releasing the button the local Alarm will
stop sounding immediately and the remote Alarms will
stop sounding approximately 3 seconds later. This will
verify that the interconnect is working. Check all the
other units similarly.
(v) Check the functioning of the mains battery back-up
directly after installation and then at least yearly as
follows:
- Turn off the mains power at the distribution board and
check that the green indicator light is extinguished.
- Press the test button and ensure the horn sounds
loudly for 10 seconds.
Turn on the mains supply at the distribution board only
if the unit passes the above test.
Note: If the mains is disconnected and the battery is
almost depleted the unit will beep every 40 seconds for
at least 30 days.
(vi) Monitor the alarm over a short period of time for
any beeps.
Switching off Mains for long periods
If the premises are regularly being left without mains
power for long periods the smoke/heat alarms should
be removed from their mounting plates to prevent the
batteries becoming fully depleted. (This is sometimes
done with holiday homes which are only occupied in
the Summer).
The alarms must be re-attached to the mounting plates
when the premises are re-occupied.

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(Long term storage (over 1 year) can damage the
batteries such that they will not recharge when the units
are re-connected to the mains supply).

5.1 If the unit is beeping

The Alarm automatically monitors the battery every 40
seconds. If it is depleted it will give a short beep every
40 seconds.

Models Ei141RC, Ei144RC & Ei146RC only

Before replacing the battery, check that the beeps
are not due to one of the following:
(i) battery snaps not connected properly.
(ii) On the Optical Smoke Alarm only (Ei146RC)
if the unit beeps and the red light does not flash at
the same time it indicates a problem with the smoke
chamber - see “CLEANING YOUR ALARM” section.
(iii) If the beeps have continued for over 20 minutes
(and the other causes of beeps have been ruled out
- see “TROUBLESHOOTING” section) the battery
must be replaced.
See “CHANGING THE BATTERY” section.

Models Ei161RC, Ei164RC & Ei166RC only

(i) Check that the green mains power light is on. If
it is off the Alarm is not receiving mains power and
is being powered from its internal back-up cells. The
beeps indicate that they are depleted. The cells are
not replaceable. Re-connect the mains, check fuse,
circuit breakers and wiring. If in doubt contact a
qualified electrician. The beeps should cease within
2 hours as the cells charge up. Fully charged, the
cells will provide up to 6 months back-up without
mains power.
(ii) On the Optical Smoke Alarm only (Ei166RC)
if the unit beeps and the red light does not flash at
the same time it indicates a problem with the smoke
chamber - see “CLEANING YOUR ALARM” section.
If all of the above possible causes of beeps have
been ruled out, but the beeping has still persisted
for over 2 hours with the green light on - the
rechargeable cells may be defective. The Smoke /
Heat Alarm must be returned to the manufacturer for
repair or replacement - see “GETTING YOUR ALARM
SERVICED” section.

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A unit will operate from the mains alone, even with
a fully depleted or a defective battery (and give
beeps every minute), though it may not give sufficient
warning of fire if the mains supply is disconnected for
any reason. If there are any problems get a qualified
electrician to inspect the house wiring and connections
to the alarms.
If there are still problems the unit must be returned
for examination - see “GETTING YOUR ALARM
SERVICED” section.

6. CLEANING YOUR ALARM

WARNING: Electrical shock hazard. Disconnect the AC
mains at the fuse box or circuit breaker powering the
Alarm before following the cleaning instructions.
Clean your Alarm regularly, particularly in dusty areas.
Use the narrow nozzle attachment of your vacuum
cleaner to remove dust, insects and cobwebs from the
sides and cover slots where the smoke or heat enters.
To clean the cover, wipe with a damp cloth. Dry cover
thoroughly with a lint free cloth.
WARNING: Do not paint your Alarm.
Other than the cleaning described above, no other
customer servicing of this product is required. Repairs,
when needed, must be performed by the manufacturer.
All Alarms are prone to dust and insect ingress which
can cause nuisance/false alarms or failure to alarm.
The latest design, materials and manufacturing
techniques have been used in the construction of
our Alarms to minimize the effects of contamination.
However it is impossible to completely eliminate the
effect of dust and insect contamination, and therefore,
to prolong the life of the Alarm you must ensure that it
is kept clean so that excess dust does not build up. Any
insects or cobwebs in the vicinity of the Alarm should be
promptly removed.
In certain circumstances even with regular cleaning,
contamination can build up in the smoke sensing
chamber causing the alarm to sound or fail. If this
happens the alarm must be returned to us for servicing
or replacement. Contamination is beyond our control, it
is totally unpredictable and is considered normal wear
and tear.
For this reason, contamination is not covered by the
guarantee and a charge is made for servicing such
units.
If you experience persistent nuisance/false alarms it
may mean that the environment may not be suitable
for your particular alarm type. If, for example it is due
to dust contamination or exposure to steam you should
be using an ionisation Alarm. If the false alarm is due to
cooking fumes an optical Alarm should be fitted.
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 7. NUISANCE/FALSE ALARMS
When sure that it is just a nuisance/false alarm, simply
press the test/silence button briefly on the Alarm to
silence the unit for 10 minutes.
If, when the alarm goes off, there is no sign of smoke,
heat or noise to indicate that there is a fire, you should
get your family into a safe place, before you start
investigating.
Check the house carefully in case there is a small fire
smouldering somewhere.
Check whether there is some source of smoke or
fumes, for example cooking fumes being drawn past the
Smoke Alarm by an extractor.
If there are frequent nuisance/false alarms it may
be necessary to re-locate the device away from the
source of the fumes or replace an Ionisation Alarm
with an Optical Alarm. If for some reason the alarm
continues to sound without smoke or heat being present
(due to insect infestation or contamination build-up for
example) the units can be silenced by disconnecting
the mains power and removing the unit - see “ALARM
REMOVAL” section.
If cleaning the Alarm does not correct the problem it can
be returned to the manufacturer for repair or replacement
- see “GETTING YOUR ALARM SERVICED” section.
Silence Feature
All the Smoke/Heat Alarms have a combined Test/
Silence Button to help you control nuisance/false
alarms.
1. To silence a nuisance/false alarm, press the Test/
Silence Button located on the cover. The Alarm will
automatically switch to a reduced sensitivity condition
for a 10 minute period (very large levels of smoke from
a nearby fire will override the Silence period).
The unit will flash the red light every 10 seconds
(instead of the normal 40 seconds) to indicate the
sensitivity is reduced.
On interconnected Alarms, pressing the Test/Silence
Button on the one sensing smoke (i.e. the one with the
red light flashing every second) will silence all alarms.
Pressing the Silence Button on any other Alarm will not
silence the alarm.
2. The unit will reset to normal sensitivity at the end of
the silenced period.

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 8. IMPORTANT SAFEGUARDS
When using household protective devices, basic safety
precautions should always be followed, including those
listed below:
• Please read all instructions.
• Rehearse emergency escape plans so everyone at home
knows what to do in case the alarm sounds. Further
information can be obtained from the Home Office
Publication or from your local fire prevention officer.
• To maintain sensitivity to smoke, do not paint or cover
the Smoke Alarm in any manner; do not permit any
accumulation of cobwebs, dust or grease.
• If unit has been damaged in any way or does not
function properly, do not attempt a repair. Return the
Alarm - see “GETTING YOUR ALARM SERVICED”
section.
• This appliance is only intended for premises having a
residential type environment.
• Smoke / Heat Alarms are not a substitute for insurance.
The supplier or manufacturer is not your insurer.
• The chamber inside the Ionisation (Ei141RC/161RC)
Smoke Alarms contains a small amount of radioactive
material (33kBq of Amercium 241). Do not tamper
with the chamber. You may safely install and clean
the Smoke Alarm following this leaflet’s instructions.
• Do not dispose of your Alarm in a fire.

9. PLANNING YOUR ESCAPE ROUTE

Use the Smoke / Heat Alarm Test Buttons to familiarise
your family with the Alarm sound and to practice fire
drills regularly with all family members. Draw up a floor
plan that will show each member at least 2 escape
routes from each room in the house.

Children tend to hide when they don’t know what to do.

Teach children how to escape, open windows, and use
roll up fire ladders and stools without adult help. Make
sure they know what to do if the alarm goes off.

1. Check room doors for heat or

smoke. Do not open a hot door.
Use an alternate escape route.
Close doors behind you as you
leave.
2. If smoke is heavy, crawl out,
staying close to floor. Take short
breaths, if possible, through a wet
cloth or hold your breath. More
people die from smoke inhalation
than from flames.
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3. Get out as fast as you can.
Do not stop for packing. Have a
prearranged meeting place outside
for all family members. Check
everybody is there.

4. Call the Fire Brigade

immediately on a mobile phone or
from a neighbour’s house. Make
sure to call the Brigade for all
fires no matter how small - fires
can suddenly spread. Also call
the Brigade even if the alarm is
automatically transmitted to a
remote manned centre - the link
may have failed.

5. NEVER re-enter a burning house.

Limitations of Smoke / Heat Alarms

Smoke / Heat Alarms have significantly helped to
reduce the number of fire fatalities in countries where
they are widely installed.
However independent authorities have stated that they
may be ineffective in some circumstances. There are a
number of reasons for this:
• The Alarms will not work if the mains power is off and
the battery is depleted. On the Ei141RC/144RC/146RC
alarms the batteries should be replaced every three
years as a precaution or if the unit gives a low battery
beep.
• NOTE: Constant exposure to high or low temperatures
or high humidity may reduce the life of the Alkaline
battery.
• Smoke / Heat Alarms will not detect fire if sufficient
smoke / heat does not reach the alarm. Smoke / heat
may be prevented from reaching the Alarm if the fire is
too far away, for example, if the fire is on another floor,
behind a closed door, in a chimney, in a wall cavity,
or if the prevailing air draughts carry the smoke / heat
away. Installing Smoke / Heat Alarms on both sides
of closed doors and installing more than one Smoke
/ Heat Alarm as recommended in the ‘INSTALLER
INSTRUCTIONS’ booklet significantly improves the
probability of early detection.
• The Alarm may not be heard.
• A Smoke / Heat Alarm may not wake a person who
has taken drugs or alcohol.
• Smoke / Heat Alarms may not detect every type of fire
to give sufficient early warning. ­­
• Optical and Ionisation Smoke Alarms should be fitted
for the fastest response to all types of fires.
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• Smoke / Heat Alarms don’t last indefinitely. For
example if there is a build up of contamination,
performance will be impaired.
It is recommended that the Smoke / Heat Alarms are
replaced after 10 years as a precaution.

10. ALARM CONTROL (OPTIONAL)

A System Control Switch (Ei1529RC) is available as
an optional accessory. It allows the user to perform the
following functions from a remote location:
LOCATE - If alarms sound press Locate to allow the
source of alarm to be identified.
SILENCE - Press to silence nuisance/false alarms.
TEST - Operate weekly to Test the alarms.
MAINS CHECK - Test will not work with mains absent.
Note: for RadioLINK interconnect and Alarm control
an Ei168RC Alarm Base and an Ei450 Alarm
Controller are required.

11. GETTING YOUR ALARM SERVICED

If your Alarm fails to work after you have carefully read
all the instructions, checked the unit has been installed
correctly, and is receiving AC power (green light on)
contact Customer Assistance at the address given at
the end of this leaflet. If it needs to be returned for
repair or replacement put it in a padded box and send
it to “Customer Assistance and Information” at the
nearest address given on the Alarm or in this leaflet.
Do not snap on to the mounting plate as this connects
the battery and the unit may beep or alarm in the post.
State the nature of the fault, where the Alarm was
purchased and the date of purchase.

12. FIVE YEAR GUARANTEE

Ei Electronics guarantees this Alarm (excluding
battery in the Ei141RC/144RC/146RC models) for
five years from date of purchase against any defects
that are due to faulty materials or workmanship. This
guarantee only applies to normal conditions of use and
service, and does not include damage resulting from
accident, neglect, misuse, unauthorised dismantling,
or contamination howsoever caused. This guarantee
excludes incidental and consequential damage. If this
Alarm should become defective within the guarantee
period, it must be returned to Ei Electronics, with proof
of purchase, carefully packaged, with the problem
clearly stated. (see “Getting Your Alarm Serviced”) We
shall at our discretion repair or replace the faulty unit.
Do not interfere with the Alarm or attempt to tamper
with it. This will invalidate the guarantee, but more
importantly may expose the user to shock or fire
hazards.
This guarantee is in addition to your statutory rights as
a consumer.
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 13. TROUBLESHOOTING
1. FREQUENT NUISANCE/FALSE ALARMS OCCUR:
(1) Close kitchen / bathroom door when in use.
(2) Ensure that the alarm is sited at least 6m away from
sources of fumes.
(3) Contamination from insects, paint or paint fumes
may have occurred. Clean the alarm - see “CLEANING
YOUR ALARM” section.
(4) If the problem persists, resiting of the unit should be
considered.
2. ALARM SOUNDS FOR NO APPARENT REASON:
(1) Identify the alarm source. On interconnected units,
the red light on the cover will flash rapidly only on the
unit which is the source of the alarm. If an optional
Ei1529RC Control Switch is installed, press Locate
when system is sounding to identify source of alarm.
(2) Check for fumes, steam etc. from the kitchen or
bathroom. Paint and other fumes can cause nuisance/
false alarms.
(3) Press the test/silence button to silence the Smoke/
Heat Alarm for 10 minutes.
(4) If alarm does not stop, switch off mains and remove
unit - see “ALARM REMOVAL” section. (Only remove
the alarm with the red light flashing, the others are
probably satisfactory).

3. LOW BATTERY & OTHER BEEPS:

(On Ei141RC/144RC/146RC only)
If the battery is correctly connected and the unit has
beeped for over 20 minutes the battery is probably
depleted. Obtain a new battery, disconnect the mains,
then remove the alarm and replace the depleted battery.
(On Ei161RC/164RC/166RC only)
Check the green mains power light is on. If not,
check fuse, circuit breakers and wiring connections.
If the green light is off, the Lithium cells will deplete
after some months without mains and will need to be
recharged. If turning on the mains fails to stop the
beeps, a fault may exist. Switch off mains and remove
the unit - see “ALARM REMOVAL” section.
(All Alarms)
(1) If the green mains light is on and replacing battery,
recharging Lithium cells or cleaning unit has not stopped
the beeps, a fault may exist. Disconnect the mains first
and replace the unit - see “ALARM REMOVAL” section.

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(2) If an Optical unit (Ei146RC/166RC) beeps without
the red light flashing at the same time, the chamber is
defective. Clean the chamber.

4. INTERCONNECTED ALARMS DO NOT ALL

SOUND:

(1) Hold test button for 10 seconds after first alarm has
sounded to ensure signal is transmitted to all units.

(2) One or more of the connections may not be correctly

connected. We recommend you consult a qualified
electrician.

Aico Ltd. Mile End Business Park, Maesbury Rd,

Oswestry, Shropshire SY10 8NN, U.K.
Tel: 0870 758 4000
www.aico.co.uk
Ei Electronics. Shannon, Co Clare, Ireland.
Tel: 061 471277

www.eielectronics.com

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 Construction Product Type: Smoke Alarm Devices
European Standard: EN14604:2005
Certificate of Conformity: 0086-CPD-537430
MODEL TYPE
Ei141RC Ionisation 230V Smoke Alarm
Ei146RC Optical 230V Smoke Alarm
Ei161RC Ionisation 230V Smoke Alarm
Ei166RC Optical 230V Smoke Alarm

Block
0086 E1
08

The crossed out wheelie bin symbol that is on your

product indicates that this product should not be disposed
of via the normal household waste stream. Proper
disposal will prevent possible harm to the environment or
to human health. When disposing of this product please
separate it from other waste streams to ensure that it can
be recycled in an environmentally sound manner. For
more details on collection and proper disposal, please
contact your local government office or the retailer where
you purchased this product.

INDEX

1. REGULAR CHECKS 1
2. ALARM REMOVAL 2
3. IMPORTANT INFORMATION 3
4. CHANGING THE BATTERY 4
5. TESTING & MAINTAINING YOUR ALARM 4
6. CLEANING YOUR ALARM 7
7. NUISANCE/FALSE ALARMS 8
8. IMPORTANT SAFEGUARDS 9
9. PLANNING YOUR ESCAPE ROUTE 9
10. ALARM CONTROL 11
11. GETTING YOUR ALARM SERVICED 11
12. FIVE YEAR GUARANTEE 11
13. TROUBLESHOOTING 12

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