Non-fire devices such as mould detectors provide electrical contractors with an opportunity to maximise sales, as Steve Boggis, Sales Director at WisuAlarm UK and Ireland, explains.
Installing a fire detection system for landlords or residential properties can lead to additional opportunities for electrical installers.
By making use of devices linked to a wireless gateway, landlords can benefit from remote monitoring of their tenants’ devices. This includes early warning of conditions such as damp and mould, which could develop into health risks. Other benefits of using a wireless gateway include enabling updates, alerts and network tests via a mobile App to provide the highest level of protection, and connecting multiple installations.
A high profile problem
The presence of damp, mould and/or excessive cold in rental properties has become a high profile issue over the last few years, with around 2.7 million privately rented households in England affected. In addition, the Housing Ombudsman received almost double the number of complaints in 2022 concerning damp, mould and water leaks in social housing, compared to 2021.
Types of damp vary from condensation, rising damp (typically external groundwater drawn up through the brickwork of a house) and penetrating damp – usually due to external defects which allow rainwater penetration.
New guidelines
Following the tragic death of two-year old Awaab Ishak in 2020 due to mould in his family home, the government issued guidance to landlords on how to ensure their accommodation is free from serious hazards – including damp and mould.
It says that landlords must treat cases of damp and mould with the utmost seriousness and act promptly to protect their tenants’ health. It is also the responsibility of landlords to identify and address the underlying causes of the problem, such as structural issues or inadequate ventilation.
When installing smoke detectors in residential premises, electrical contractors may have the opportunity to discuss the addition of mould detection.
In order to fully benefit from the technology, a wireless gateway will need to be installed. This enables landlords to directly monitor smoke, heat, CO and environmental detectors, giving them early warning of any environmental conditions which could lead to the build-up of mould or other issues.
Environmental detectors that feature built-in temperature and humidity sensors are an effective and efficient way of giving early warning of conditions that could lead to harmful mould. For example, WisuAlarm’s wirelessly connected devices – the Environmental Sensor, and Carbon Monoxide with Temperature and Humidity alarm – accurately monitor the risks of condensation, damp and mould.
When connected to the WisuLink wireless gateway, they provide landlords with real-time alerts about deteriorating humidity conditions, which can lead to damp and mould.
Sales opportunities
When discussing the installation of fire detectors, there’s an opportunity for electricians to alert customers to the benefits of environmental monitoring and mould detection via a wireless gateway, which acts as the communications interface for all linked detectors.
Similarly, if a customer is considering mould detection to help discharge their obligations on environmental health, electricians can explore whether there’s an opportunity to upgrade the existing fire and CO detection devices and introduce a wireless gateway, to provide a fully functioning interlinked and monitored system.
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