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Is there a difference between standard smoke detectors vs. monitored fire alarms in Seattle?

August 08, 2022
smoke alarm detector on the ceiling

In the Seattle smoke detector vs. monitored fire alarm discussion, there’s really only one champion. Smoke detectors are a vital consideration in guarding your house from emergency situations, but they have several shortcomings. Alternatively, monitored fire alarms provide more ways to detect a fire and are able to contact your support team in the event of a disaster. Connecting your fire alarms to a comprehensive smart home also results in extra perks that your regular smoke detectors could only dream about.

Your ordinary smoke alarms in Seattle could be inadequate

Fire safety is important, and smoke detectors play a critical part in keeping your family safe. Despite that fact, smoke detectors have some shortcomings. To illustrate, they will only react to smoke, not high temps. In the event there is a blaze starting in your home, you may not be warned before the smoke rises to the smoke detector. While there are some other significant signals of fire -- like a marked rise in heat -- if there’s a lack of smoke, there is no sounding of your smoke detector.

Additionally, smoke detectors only beep when they detect an adequate amount of smoke. When a fire creeps along slowly at first, you may not be warned until it's too late. Some smoke detectors utilize dual-sensor technology, which means they will be able to perceive smoke from both a raging fire and smoldering remnants. Whenever they start beeping, it's up to the homeowner to notify emergency services after exiting the premises.

Monitored fire alarms do much more than standard smoke detectors

Although they look like regular smoke detectors, monitored fire alarms can do much more. When connected to a comprehensive home security installation, they will:

  • Identify fire with dual-sensor smoke detection: Like a standard smoke detector, this monitored alarm can engage from a roaring blaze or smoldering embers. It will emit a high-volume alarm whenever it senses danger.
  • Discover fire due to a abrupt temperature increase: Your monitored fire alarm will also activate if it senses an uncommon fluctuation in temperature. Many times, heat comes before smoke. Having additional ways to identify a fire leads to more ways to keep your family safe.
  • Alerts professional monitoring representatives: Fires will occur when you are at your house or not. No matter of the situation, your fire alarms will alert your monitoring specialists, who will swiftly contact emergency services. When seconds count, it's nice to realize that someone is constantly keeping a watch of your house.
  • Connects to home automation: Although the primary task of a fire alarm is to detect an emergency and call for monitoring agents, it will also connect to other automated components. To illustrate, a tripped alarm could prompt your system to turn on the exhaust fan to slow the fire or initiate lighting so you can locate the best exit out of your home.

Your monitored fire alarms are a key element of a comprehensive smart home

The best method to maximize the functionality of your fire alarms is to pair them with a Vivint home security system. Speak with a Vivint security agent today and find the most suitable smart home for your needs. Place a call to (206) 590-6257 or submit the form on this page to begin.