Smoke Detectors

Buy an optical smoke detector for your fire alarm system: Apollo XP95, Discovery, Soteria, Series 65 and Orbis, Hochiki ESP and CDX and more, in conventional, addressable and wireless versions, plus domestic smoke alarms. Optical (photoelectric) detectors are the standard choice for most UK commercial fire alarm systems.

See our buyer's guide and FAQs below. Fast, tracked UK delivery, with next-day dispatch on items in stock at our Poole warehouse.

Best-selling smoke detectors

• Apollo 55000-317APO Series 65 optical smoke detector: conventional
• Apollo 55000-600APO XP95 optical smoke detector: addressable
• Apollo 58000-600APO Discovery optical smoke detector: addressable
• Apollo 55000-390APO AlarmSense optical smoke detector
• Apollo ORB-OP-12001-APO Orbis optical smoke detector: conventional
• Hochiki ESP addressable optical smoke detector (ALN-EN)

Looking for one brand? See Apollo smoke detectors and Hochiki smoke detectors.

Smoke detector buyer's guide

Optical, heat or multi-sensor?

• Optical smoke detectors use a light source and sensor in a chamber; smoke scatters the light and triggers the alarm. They respond well to slow, smouldering fires and suit offices, corridors, escape routes and bedrooms.
• Heat detectors suit kitchens, plant rooms and garages where fumes, steam or dust would cause false alarms. See heat detectors.
• Multi-sensor detectors combine optical and heat sensing for better false alarm immunity. See multi-sensor detectors.

Ionisation smoke detectors contain a small radioactive source and have largely been replaced by optical detectors in UK commercial systems.

Conventional or addressable?

• Conventional smoke detectors (Apollo Series 65 and Orbis, Hochiki CDX) report by zone to a conventional panel.
• Addressable smoke detectors report their exact location and must use the same protocol as the panel: for example Apollo XP95, Discovery and Soteria on Apollo-protocol panels, or Hochiki ESP on Hochiki-protocol panels.
• Domestic smoke alarms are self-contained (battery, mains or radio-interlinked) for homes under BS 5839-6, not panel detectors.

Bases, colours and special versions

Most detector heads are sold without a base, so add a compatible one from detector bases. We also stock flashing LED, black-body, marine, SIL2 and intrinsically safe (I.S.) versions; the part number is in every product title. Test them with our smoke detector testers.

Smoke detector FAQs

What is an optical smoke detector?

An optical (photoelectric) smoke detector senses smoke particles that scatter light inside its chamber. It is the most common detector type in UK commercial fire alarm systems.

Will an Apollo XP95 optical smoke detector work on my panel?

XP95 detectors work on addressable panels that support the Apollo XP95/Discovery protocol. Check your panel's compatibility list before ordering, and replace like for like where possible.

What is the difference between a smoke detector and a smoke alarm?

A smoke detector connects to a fire alarm control panel, which sounds the alarm. A smoke alarm is self-contained, with its own sounder and power, and is used mainly in homes.

Do smoke detectors come with a base?

Most commercial detectors are supplied as a head only. Order the matching base for the detector range, for example an Apollo Series 65 or XP95/Discovery base.