FirehawkFHB10W

Smoke alarm
Battery only
Optical smoke alarm

£29Typical price

Test score

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The Firehawk FHB10 smoke alarm uses Thermal Stability Enhancement (TSE) technology that the manufacturer claims will reduce the instances of false alarms while still ensuring maximum detection. It’s battery powered, with lithium cells that will last for 10 years in the alarm itself and seven years in its radio base. The latter lets you link it with up to 15 compatible devices within the Firehawk range – such as the FHH10W heat alarm and the CO7B-10Y-W carbon monoxide detector – to create an interconnected network. This means that if danger is detected in one area of your house, all the alarms will sound together, making it suitable for homes in Scotland. But how good is the FHB10 at detecting smoke and raising the alarm when needed? We sent it to our test lab to find out. Read on for our full review.

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KEY TEST RESULTS
Wood fires
Cotton fires
Sound output

Jun 2022Last checked by Which?
Jun 2022First reviewed by Which?
Mar 2022Released

The overall Which? test score is made up of the following star ratings, all determined by our rigorous lab tests.

How we test smoke alarms and heat alarms

27 Feb 2024

Wood fires

How we test wood fires

We measure the amount and thickness of wood smoke from a smouldering fire that is required to trigger the alarm. This test isn't carried out for heat alarms, which are tested to a different programme. Only applicable to smoke alarms.

Wood fires

How we test wood fires

Cotton fires

How we test cotton fires

We measure the amount and thickness of cotton smoke from a smouldering fire that is required to trigger the alarm. This test isn't carried out for heat alarms, which are tested to a different programme. Only applicable to smoke alarms.

Cotton fires

How we test cotton fires

Plastics fires

How we test plastics fires

We measure the amount and thickness of smoke from a plastics fire that is required to trigger the alarm. This test isn't carried out for heat alarms, which are tested to a different programme. Only applicable to smoke alarms.

Plastics fires

How we test plastics fires

Solvent fires

How we test solvent fires

We measure the amount and thickness of smoke from a solvents fire that's required to trigger the alarm. This test isn't carried out for heat alarms, which are tested to a different programme. Only applicable to smoke alarms.

Solvent fires

How we test solvent fires

Sound output

How we test sound output

Sound output is based on decibel levels, measured in a fully soundproofed chamber. Three stars or above are louder than 85dB – the equivalent of a lawn mower. Ones rated two stars or below should probably be avoided by those with poor hearing. This test isn't carried out for heat alarms, which are tested to a different programme. Only applicable to smoke alarms.

Ease of use

How we test ease of use

Ease of use includes clarity of instructions including installation and maintenance, how simple it is to insert and replace the battery, use the hush button and any interconnectivity features. This test isn't carried out for heat alarms, which are tested to a different programme. Only applicable to smoke alarms.

General
Type	Smoke alarm
Power source	Battery only
Technology	Optical smoke alarm
10-year battery	Yes
Wood fire response time (Smoke alarms only)
Cotton fire response time (Smoke alarms only)
Plastics fire response time (Smoke alarms only)
Solvent fire response time (Smoke alarms only)

Features
Light	No
Hush button	Yes

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All smoke alarm advice

FirehawkFHB10W

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pros

cons

How we test smoke alarms and heat alarms

Wood fires

Wood fires

Cotton fires

Cotton fires

Plastics fires

Plastics fires

Solvent fires

Solvent fires

Sound output

Ease of use

How this product's score compares with other smoke alarms we've tested

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