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Are there differences between traditional smoke detectors vs. monitored fire alarms in Wichita Falls?

August 08, 2022
smoke alarm detector on the ceiling

In the Wichita Falls smoke detector vs. monitored fire alarm argument, it's evident that a monitored fire alarm is the superior option"> for your house. Smoke detectors are a vital line of defense in shielding your house from emergency situations, but they have several shortcomings. Conversely, monitored fire alarms provide more ways to discover a fire and can contact help in the event of a disaster. Pairing your fire alarms to a comprehensive smart home also delivers extra perks that your common smoke detectors would only dream about.

The shortcomings of standard smoke alarms in [[targetlocaion]]

Defending against fire is a crucial consideration, and smoke detectors take on a critical part in keeping your family safe. Despite that fact, smoke detectors have some drawbacks. For example, they will only react to smoke, not extreme temperatures. If there is a blaze starting in your home, you may not be warned before the smoke reaches the smoke detector. Although there are some other telltale signs of fire -- like a sharp rise in heat -- if there's no smoke, you will fail to get a warning from your smoke detector.

Additionally, smoke detectors only activate if they encounter ample smoke. In the event a fire starts small, you may not be alerted until the situation is out of hand. Some smoke detectors use dual sensors, which means they will recognize smoke from both roaring flames and something less intense. Then when they do go off, it's up to the resident to notify the fire department after exiting the property.

Monitored fire alarms offer more benefits than standard smoke detectors

While they have a similar appearance to traditional smoke detectors, monitored fire alarms have added advantages. When connected to a comprehensive home security installation, they are able to:

  • Identify fire with dual-sensor smoke detection: Comparable to an ordinary smoke detector, the monitored device has the ability to engage from an intense fire or one that has just started smoking. It will sound an easily audible warning whenever it recognizes a hazardous situation.
  • Detect fire with a sudden rise in heat: Your monitored fire alarm can even trigger if it notices an uncommon fluctuation in temperature. Many times, heat arrives in advance of smoke. Having additional means to uncover a fire leads to additional means to protect your loved ones.
  • Warns trained monitoring representatives: Fires can occur whether you are at your house or not. Either way, your fire alarms will warn your monitoring agents, who will swiftly place a call to emergency services. When every tick of the clock is critical, it's nice to know that someone is always looking out for your residence.
  • Connects to home automation: Although the primary purpose of a fire alarm is to recognize fire and notify help, it will also join forces with other automated equipment. For instance, a triggered alarm could make your system engage the exhaust fan to hinder the fire or trigger smart light bulbs so you can locate the safest way out of the property.

Your monitored fire alarms are a key element of a fully equipped smart home

The easiest method to maximize the functionality of your fire alarms is to integrate them with a Vivint home security system. Speak with a Vivint expert today and customize the ideal smart home for your requirements. Call (940) 209-1266 or send in the following form to get started.