As the fire safety landscape continues to evolve, electrical wholesalers are in a prime position to lead the way. Here, Geraint Edwards from FireAngel, explains why stocking hybrid fire and carbon monoxide (CO) alarm systems, which combine mains-powered reliability with battery-powered flexibility, enables wholesalers to offer installers future-proof solutions that are easy to install, scalable, and regulation-ready.

Recent Home Office figures reveal that smoke alarms raised the alert in just 47% of dwelling fires in 2024, with nearly a third failing to operate at all, often due to poor positioning, inadequate maintenance, or lack of coverage. These findings reinforce the need for more reliable, interconnected systems that go beyond passive compliance and actively improve safety outcomes.

This growing demand places contractors under increasing pressure to deliver intelligent, whole-home protection that exceeds regulatory minimums. And it’s where wholesalers have a key role to play, by providing access to versatile, future-ready alarm systems that empower installers to meet both evolving standards and practical safety requirements.

Meeting rising demand

The pressure on contractors to deliver beyond basic compliance is intensifying. New legislation, updated guidance, and increasing tenant expectations are all shaping how fire and CO protection is approached across housing sectors, from social and private rentals to homeowner properties. Hybrid alarm systems offer an ideal response, allowing installers to meet best practice standards while keeping installations fast and disruption-free.

By stocking a comprehensive hybrid range, wholesalers can support their customers in fulfilling both current regulations and anticipated future needs. These systems are particularly suited to retrofit applications, where running new cabling is either impractical or too costly. For contractors, hybrid systems offer a flexible, reliable way to interlink alarms without invasive wiring, an increasingly appealing proposition for time-pressed tradespeople.

Simplifying installation

With hybrid networks, mains-powered and battery-operated smoke, heat, and CO alarms can be wirelessly interconnected. When one alarm activates, they all sound, providing full-property alerts that dramatically improve resident safety. For installers, this means simplified system design, easier placement, and no need for trunking or channelling, especially in occupied homes or heritage buildings.

These time-saving benefits are a strong selling point for wholesalers. Offering hybrid alarm solutions can help your trade customers reduce labour time, limit return visits, and handle more jobs with confidence, translating into stronger repeat business for branches.

Tapping into the smart home trend

Consumers are also driving demand for connected safety devices that integrate with broader smart home ecosystems. Hybrid alarm systems that support connected features, like remote monitoring, instant notifications, and maintenance alerts, are increasingly sought after by landlords, property managers, and residents.

For wholesalers, stocking alarms with connected capabilities adds further value to your product offering. These advanced models enable housing providers to receive real-time updates on alarm status, from low batteries and missed tests to tampering or actual alerts, creating opportunities for upselling premium, app-enabled systems.

There is also a growing awareness of the needs of vulnerable occupants, such as elderly residents or those with mobility or cognitive impairments, who may be less able to respond quickly to an isolated alarm. Interlinked, remotely monitored hybrid systems allow family members, carers, or landlords to be alerted instantly if there’s an issue, adding peace of mind and demonstrating the real-world value of these solutions. By highlighting these use cases, wholesalers can show installers how connected technology isn’t just convenient, but life-saving.

The compliance advantage

As the fire safety sector moves towards more proactive and preventative approaches, stocking alarms that help customers maintain compliance is a must. From Scotland’s national requirement for interlinked alarms to emerging guidance in England and Wales, the direction of travel is clear: more connected, comprehensive systems are becoming the standard.

Wholesalers who understand these drivers and can support contractors with the right product selection will be well placed to grow trust and loyalty within their customer base.

A win-win for wholesalers and customers

By offering hybrid alarm systems, wholesalers can support electrical professionals with practical solutions that align with real-world installation challenges and shifting compliance requirements. Hybrid alarms offer the best of both worlds, hardwired robustness and wireless flexibility, and help contractors deliver installations that are safer, smarter, and more future-ready.

Wholesalers who stay ahead of these trends position themselves not just as suppliers, but as knowledgeable partners in fire safety. Stocking the right products, with the right advice, gives installers the confidence to tackle projects of all sizes, driving repeat sales and long-term loyalty.

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