The BRK 660MBX mains powered optical smoke alarm uses thermally enhanced sensing technology to quickly detect slow smouldering fires. Fitted with a 9V alkaline back-up battery to continue powering the alarm after a mains failure, the 660MBX can be hard wire interlinked with up to 12 smoke and heat alarms within a single system.
- Power: 230V mains powered with back-up battery
- Backup Battery: 9V alkaline backup battery (included)
- Warranty: 5 year manufacturer's warranty
- Please note that BRK are no longer manufacturing new stock for the European Market and while the products will have a 2018 manufacturing date they still provide a full 10 year lifespan and full warranty cover from date of purchase
- Includes slimline twist-fit base suitable for flush mounting
- CE marked and Kitemarked to BS EN 14604
- Suitable for installations complying to Grade D2
- Provides quick detection of slow smouldering fires
- Suitable for bedrooms, living rooms and downstairs hallways
- A maximum of 12 600MBX series smoke and heat alarms can be interlinked (via cable)
- An interlinked system provides the earliest possible warning of fire
- Test and hush button feature
- Suitable replacement for the DETA 1153 and DETA 1113 Thermally Enhanced Optical Alarms
- Supplied with fixings; 2 x screws and 2 x rawl plugs
- This alarm is also suitable for the updated 2022 Scottish legislation for fire alarms in homes
Please note: for surface-mounted wiring such as trunking the base plate included with this alarm is not suitable; please see the BRK 760MRL with push-fit base instead.
The table below shows all the units that can interlink with the BRK mains powered smoke and heat alarms.
Alarms from the Same Series
Model Number |
Type of unit |
Type of Interlink |
670MBX |
Ionisation Smoke Alarm |
Hard wire interlink |
660MBX |
Optical Smoke Alarm |
Hard wire interlink |
690MBX |
Heat Alarm |
Hard wire interlink |
Q. Do I need an ionisation or optical smoke alarm?
A. We recommend using an optical smoke alarm in hallways, as these are less likely to go off because of cooking fumes from a connected kitchen. Optical smoke alarms are also ideal for living rooms, dining rooms, bedrooms, as they are good at detecting smouldering fires from soft furnishings. For landings we recommend ionisation alarms. Heat alarms are designed for kitchens and garages. No alarms should be installed in bathrooms.
Q. Why do your mains powered alarms have batteries?
A. All our mains powered alarms have a battery backup. Although mains powered alarms without this option do exist (BS5839 part 6 grade E), we regard them as far too dangerous, as a lot of fires are caused by electrical faults leaving the building unprotected against fire if the smoke alarms have no backup battery. With our mains powered alarms you will always be protected.
Q. Can I put my smoke alarm on the wall, or must it be mounted on the ceiling?
A. The best location to install your smoke alarm is in the centre of the ceiling rather than on the wall. During a fire, smoke initially rises and then spreads to the sides of the room. By installing the alarm on the ceiling, this ensures that you receive the earliest possible warning of a fire.
Q. How long do smoke alarms last before needing replacement?
A. It is recommended that smoke alarms are replaced after 10 years. This is because the sensors in the smoke alarms become less sensitive and may not activate when a fire is present.
Q. Do you need an electrician to connect mains powered smoke alarms?
A. It is necessary that an electrician installs mains powered smoke alarms.
Q. When the test button is pressed on an interlinking smoke alarm will this cause all the other units to go off, too?
A. Yes, by pressing the test button on one alarm all the units in that family will also be activated. To 'teach' the units which other smoke alarms belong to the same family, the smoke alarms have to be set up together during the installation. This is done by pressing a 'housecoding button' or similar process.
Q. If a false alarm goes off can pressing the hush button on any of the interlinking alarms stop all the units beeping?
A. No, to stop the alarms from sounding the hush button on the unit that started the process needs to be pushed. Pressing any other unit will just silence that one unit. The unit can be identified by the rapidly flashing red LED.
Q. How long do the batteries last in smoke alarms?
A. The 9V alkaline batteries last 12-18 months. Lithium batteries will usually last 5x longer than their alkaline counterparts, achieving around 5 years lifetime. Some lithium cells are also rechargeable, and when used in a mains-powered alarm may last for the entire functional lifespan of the alarm. Newer alarm models may also feature a "sealed" lithium battery. These batteries are specialist components which are designed to not be removed or need replacing by the user, and have been tested by the alarm manufacturer to ensure they last for the lifetime of the alarm.
Please Note: the actual lifetime of your batteries depends on how often the alarms are tested or activated, as sounding the alarm draws more power than when the alarms are "waiting" to detect fire. You should also read your alarm's manual to make sure you only use the recommended types and brands of batteries, as failing to follow these instructions may cause the alarm to malfunction, not alerting you in the event of a fire, and might also invalidate the warranty.
Q. Can the mains powered smoke alarm range be connected to mains power via the lighting circuit?
A. Yes, hard-wired mains powered alarms can be wired to the unswitched live feed of the nearest frequently used lighting circuit.
Q. How do I safely dispose of my old smoke alarms?
A. Safelincs is signed up to Valpak's WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) Distributor Take-Back Scheme (Registration ID: 7370). Private households can therefore drop off their electronic and electrical fire safety waste at their municipal recycling centre when they are purchasing new products from us. To find your nearest recycling centre, please visit www.recycle-more.co.uk.
Q. What smoke alarm should I use in a bedroom with an en suite bathroom?
A. It is usually recommended to install an optical smoke alarm in a bedroom. This is because optical smoke alarms are slightly quicker at detecting slow smouldering fires that can originate from upholstery type materials and over-heated wiring. Also, an optical smoke alarm would be less likely to sound a false alarm than an ionisation would, if steam/water droplets were present from the bathroom. Detectors should be installed as central to the room as possible; however for your application I would also consider the position of the en suite to make sure that the detector is not in the direct path of the joining door. This is just to try and avoid the chances of a false alarm. No detector is designed for use in bathroom areas.
Q. What sort of smoke alarm system would I need to install for a HMO?
A. BS 5839-6 recommends that one or two storey HMOs with an individual floor area of no more than 200sqm (not the total of both floors) should have a Grade D smoke alarm system installed. Grade D refers to mains powered smoke alarms with a back up battery power supply. The alarms can be interlinked either by wire or by radio signal and the system does not require a separate fire alarm panel. For HMOs of 3 storey or higher, a Grade A panel system would need to be installed. This can cover the whole of the building, or can be used just for the communal areas with a separate Grade D system installed for the individual dwellings. For both applications, the level of cover should be a minimum of LD3 (in all escape routes) but this may change according to the fire risk assessment.
Q. Hi, will a BRK 660MBX work in a system with 650MBX?
A. Yes, the 650MBX is compatible with the rest of the 600 series including the 660MBX.