anyway, here is my edited version of the text that I will send to CHP's 'david parry'...go figure:

Dear David Parry,

This morning 04/07/2016 I was to speak with Hannah Howson, at CHP - she was to tell me repeatedly that if I did not change the battery in the smoke alarm in my flat - that I would be charged £15 by a CHP electrician, to do it. She was also to give me your email address.

Now, the last CHP electrician, who replaced the original battery-powered smoke alarm in my flat - was to tell me that the new smoke alarm was now linked to the mains of belle court building and that I would need an electrician to replace the battery, once it ran down.

I was also told not to replace the battery in this new smoke alarm - by the 'out of hours' emergency repairs staff - at the weekend. They were to tell me that I wasn't supposed to do it and that I had to call CHP on monday, in order to book an appointment with a CHP electrician.

Anyway, I have taken the back off of the smoke alarm, according to hannah's instruction - to try and change the battery. However I cannot pull the plug out of the back of it. There are several plastic 'brackets' holding it in place. The plug has a plastic flap holding the battery door down and so until I get the plug out - I cannot change the battery.

Now, seeing as the above is linked up to the mains of this building, if I were to attempt to pull that plug out - without switching off the electricity at the mains - I might be electrocuted and CHP would be liable.

I am not an electrician and I do not have access/keys to the electricity mains room - located upon the groundfloor of belle court.

Therefore I am now sending you three photos of the plug - because if CHP still thinks that I have to do the job myself - despite the risk of electrocution then I will attempt to pull that plug out again but only after you have given me precise instructions as to how to pull that plug out safely - which I would guess - means also granting me access to the main electricity room and further instructions as to what to 'turn off' in that room before proceeding with the job at hand.

Kindly reply a.s.a.p because I have had to put up with a bleeping sound every 30 seconds and since late friday night 01/06/2016 and it is now monday evening of the 04/07/2016.

The last CHP electrician was to say that the constant bleeping often sent tenants 'round the bend' and that he had known people attempt to cut the wires if they could not get the plug out - to then electrocute themselves. Naturally I am not going to do anything so dangerous, myself - I am merely pointing out that it is something of a 'health hazard' i.e. disrupted sleep/constant irritation.

Kind regards

Emily Gyde, flat 2, Belle court, ellis road, clacton on sea CO15 1FH.