Choosing a Solo Test kit:
Choosing the right Solo test kit ensures efficient, compliant fire alarm testing—eliminating the risks of ladders and scaffolding.
From compact starter kits to full professional setups, Fire Trade Supplies provides solutions tailored to every user and environment. Here are some of the kits we recommend, and the pros and cons to consider.
in the guide we have displayed each Solo test kit, ranging from only heat, to both head and smoke capabilities.
Smoke Only Testing Kits:
Solo 808 Smoke Detector Test Starter Kit (up to 4 m reach):
Best for: Small businesses, schools, facilities with low ceilings
Overview: This entry-level kit includes a Solo 330 aerosol dispenser and a 2.2 m Solo 108 pole. It offers an affordable and compact solution for basic smoke testing.
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✅ Pros:
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Cost-effective and simple to use
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Compact setup—easy to store and transport
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No battery or mains power required
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⚠️ Cons:
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Limited reach (circa 4 m)
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Uses pressurised aerosols (hazmat shipping restrictions apply)
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🔧 Ideal for: Companies requiring occasional smoke testing without extensive investment.
You can purchase the product here:
👉 Solo 808 Smoke Detector Test Starter Kit – Fire Trade Supplies
Solo 809 Smoke Detector Test Kit (Up to 6 Metres):
Best for: Facilities teams, schools, and contractors needing an affordable mid-range smoke testing kit.
The Solo 809 is a versatile smoke detector test kit designed for safe and efficient smoke detector testing up to 6 metres high. It includes the popular Solo 330 smoke dispenser, and the Solo 100 telescopic extension pole, making it a well-rounded kit for general-purpose detector servicing.
This non-powered kit is fully manual and requires Solo A5 or A10 aerosol canisters to generate test smoke. It's ideal for organisations that need a reliable, budget-friendly setup without the complexity or cost of cartridge-based or powered systems.
It’s also compatible with additional Solo accessories if you decide to expand your testing capabilities later.
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✅ Pros:
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No batteries or mains required — simple and effective
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Includes detector removal tool (Solo 200)
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Lightweight and portable
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Affordable entry point into Solo’s professional-grade tools
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⚠️ Cons:
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Requires consumable aerosol canisters (sold separately)
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Smoke-only testing — does not support heat detectors
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🔧 Ideal for: Smaller teams or facilities carrying out regular maintenance and needing smoke detector testing at heights without the need for power tools.
You can purchase the product here:
👉 Solo 809 Smoke Detector Test Starter Kit – Fire Trade Supplies
Solo 810 Smoke Detector Test Kit (Up to 9 Metres):
Best for: Engineers or contractors working in large commercial buildings or warehouses with high ceilings.
The Solo 810 builds on the Solo 809 by offering greater access height through additional pole extensions, allowing testing up to 9 metres. This kit includes the Solo 330 smoke dispenser and one Solo 101 extension poles, making it ideal for low ceiling environments.
Just like the Solo 809, the Solo 810 uses Solo A5 or A10 aerosols and requires no power or batteries. It’s designed for smoke testing only, but can easily be upgraded with additional Solo tools such as the Solo 461 cordless heat tester or Solo 365 cartridge tester if your testing needs grow.
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✅ Pros:
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Extended reach up to 9 metres
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Ideal for large commercial or industrial premises
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Includes full pole set and removal tool
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Fully ladder-free solution
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⚠️ Cons:
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Limited to smoke testing (unless upgraded)
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Requires aerosol consumables and manual operation
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🔧 Ideal for: Fire safety engineers, commercial contractors, and facilities teams working in large buildings with high detectors.
You can purchase the product here:
👉 Solo 810 Smoke Detector Test Starter Kit – Fire Trade Supplies
Solo Smoke & Heat Testing Kits:
Solo 822 Smoke & Cordless Heat Detector Test & Removal Kit (up to 6 m reach):
Best for: Mid-sized maintenance teams and professional fire engineers
Overview: A versatile cordless kit featuring smoke and heat testing alongside detector removal tools. It includes Solo 330, Solo 461 heat tester, Solo 200 removal tool, Solo 100 pole, and storage bag
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✅ Pros:
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Enables ladder-free smoke and heat testing
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Cordless heat tester avoids trailing cables
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Includes removal tool for detector servicing
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Comes with storage bag
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⚠️ Cons:
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Higher price point
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Requires aerosol consumables
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🔧 Ideal for: Regular testers handling smoke, heat detector testing, and replacements.
Solo 823 Enhanced Technician Kit (up to 9 m reach):
Best for: International engineers and large-site operations
Overview: Builds on the 822 with extended reach via three extension poles (9 m height), making it suitable for high-ceiling environments
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✅ Pros:
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Full smoke and heat testing with removal tools
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9 m reach accommodates high and wide spaces
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Cordless with no cables to manage
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⚠️ Cons:
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Bulkier and heavier than smaller kits
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More expensive—might exceed smaller operations’ needs
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🔧 Ideal for: Warehouses, factories, sports centers, and other high-access sites.
🔍 See it in action: Read our case study on the Solo 823 kit in a warehouse setting and how it saved 40% testing time for Sun Fish Services.
Heat Only Testing Kits:
Solo 424 Mains-Powered Heat Detector Tester Head
Best for: Facilities with mains power and frequent heat detector testing
Overview: This mains-powered head tests heat detectors up to 90 °C with quick activation and cross-air technology. It includes a 5 m cable and can reach up to 9 m using poles
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✅ Pros:
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Unlimited testing—no battery recharge required
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Rapid, stable heating for consistent activation
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Suitable for fixed-temp, rate-of-rise, and combo detectors
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Non-conductive head safe at heights and angles
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⚠️ Cons:
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Requires mains power and cable management
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Heavier than cordless models
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Limited primarily to heat detectors
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🔧 Ideal for: Buildings with easy access to power, such as workshops and maintenance hubs.
Solo 461-001 Cordless Heat Detector Tester
Best for: Fire engineers and maintenance professionals needing fast, portable heat detector testing without mains power.
The Solo 461-001 is a powerful cordless heat detector tester designed for quick and reliable testing of fixed-temperature and rate-of-rise detectors.
It uses a battery-powered heating element that rapidly reaches test temperatures (typically up to 100°C) and activates detectors safely without direct contact.
This model is the cordless version of the Solo 424 and includes a rechargeable battery baton (Solo 770) and a Solo 727 charger, offering approximately 50 tests per charge depending on usage and environment. It’s commonly used in commercial, industrial, and large-scale facilities where flexibility and speed are essential.
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✅ Pros:
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Completely cordless and portable — no mains supply required
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Quick heat-up time and automatic shut-off
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Rechargeable battery system included
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Safe and compatible with most heat detectors
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⚠️ Cons:
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Requires recharging between sessions (battery life varies)
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Slightly heavier than smoke-only testers
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🔧 Ideal for: Engineers and contractors who frequently test heat detectors across multiple locations or need a cable-free solution for high or difficult access areas.
You can purchase the product here:
👉 Solo 461 Cordless Heat Detector Tester – Fire Trade Supplies
Smoke Head only testing kits:
Solo 330 Smoke Detector Test Dispenser
Best for: Engineers and maintenance teams needing a simple, effective solution for smoke detector testing at height.
The Solo 330 is a lightweight, professional-grade smoke dispenser designed for use with aerosol smoke canisters such as the Solo A5 and Solo A10s.
It features a spring-loaded, transparent test cup that securely encloses the detector during testing, ensuring accurate smoke delivery with minimal waste. The Solo 330 attaches quickly to all Solo extension poles, enabling safe, ladder-free testing up to 9 metres.
This tool is ideal for routine smoke testing in schools, offices, warehouses, and commercial buildings, and is a staple for any fire alarm engineer’s kit.
👉 Buy the Solo 330 from Fire Trade Supplies
✅ Pros:
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Lightweight and easy to handle at height
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Fully compatible with Solo A5 and A10 aerosol canisters
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Transparent test cup for clear visibility
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Works with all Solo extension poles (e.g., Solo 100, Solo 108)
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No batteries or power required
⚠️ Cons:
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Requires separate aerosol canisters (not included)
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Smoke-only testing — does not support heat or multi-sensor testing
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Manual activation; no smart features like Solo 365
🔧 Ideal for: Fire safety professionals conducting regular smoke detector testing who prefer a reliable, cost-effective, manual solution.
You can purchase the product here:
👉 Solo 330 Smoke test Kit – Fire Trade Supplies
Solo 365 Smoke Detector Tester Kit:
Best for: Professional fire alarm engineers seeking a modern, efficient alternative to aerosol-based smoke testing.
The Solo 365 is a next-generation smoke detector tester that uses non-pressurised smoke cartridges (Solo A10s) instead of traditional aerosols. Its on-demand smoke delivery system activates only when the tester is close to the detector, minimising waste and avoiding unnecessary exposure.
Equipped with a built-in LED torch and auto-activation sensor, the Solo 365 makes testing faster, safer, and more accurate—especially in low-light or hard-to-reach areas. It’s lightweight, USB rechargeable, and fully compatible with all Solo extension poles for safe testing at height.
✅ Pros:
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Uses clean, non-pressurised A10s cartridges (no hazardous shipping)
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Auto-activation ensures precise, efficient smoke delivery
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Built-in LED for testing in dark or high areas
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USB rechargeable with fast charge time
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Lightweight and ergonomic design
⚠️ Cons:
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Higher initial cost than aerosol-based systems
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Only works with Solo A10s cartridges (not compatible with standard aerosols)
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Requires recharging between uses
🔧 Ideal for: Engineers performing frequent or large-scale testing who want a cleaner, smarter, and more modern approach to smoke detector servicing.
👉 Buy the Solo 365 from Fire Trade Supplies
Our Recommendations:
At Fire Trade Supplies, we typically recommend the Solo 823-001 test kit for engineers carrying out regular or large-scale smoke and heat detector testing, especially in buildings with high ceilings.
With its extended reach of up to 9 metres, cordless heat testing capability, and built-in detector removal tools, it’s a comprehensive, all-in-one solution for professionals working across commercial and industrial sites.
For smaller properties or standard ceiling heights, the Solo 810 offers an excellent alternative — delivering reliable smoke testing up to 2.5 metres with a more compact setup and a lower price point, making it ideal for schools, offices, and facilities teams needing regular but less intensive testing. The heat head can be sold separately.
get in touch with one of our team here at fire trade supplies and we can assist you.
Further Reading:
Smoke vs Heat Detector Testers: When to Use Each and Why It Matters