Vivint Authorized Retailer Athens
Smart Security Specialists -- Your Vivint Authorized Dealer Covering Athens, GA & Surrounding Areas

Is there a difference between regular smoke detectors vs. monitored fire alarms in Athens?

August 08, 2022
smoke alarm detector on the ceiling

In the Athens smoke detector vs. monitored fire alarm discussion, there’s easily only one champion. Smoke detectors are a vital line of defense in protecting your house from fire, but they have several shortcomings. Alternatively, monitored fire alarms offer more ways to identify a potentially dangerous situation and may notify a monitoring team in the event of a disaster. Connecting your fire alarms to a home security system also delivers various extra perks that your ordinary smoke detectors could only wish for.

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

Fire safety is a crucial consideration, and smoke detectors take on a vital part in shielding your family. Despite that fact, smoke detectors have some limitations. For instance, they can only react to smoke, not extreme temperatures. If there is an emergency in your house, you may not be warned before the smoke rises to the smoke detector. Even though there are some other significant indications of fire -- like a marked heat increase -- if there's no smoke, you won’t have a warning from your smoke detector.

Additionally, smoke detectors only sound the alarm if they detect ample smoke. If a fire creeps along slowly at first, you might not be warned until the flames are out of control. Many smoke detectors utilize dual-sensor technology, meaning they will recognize smoke from both a blazing inferno and something less intense. Whenever they do go off, it's up to the resident to notify emergency services after they safely leave the residence.

Monitored fire alarms offer more benefits than regular smoke detectors

While they look like standard smoke detectors, monitored fire alarms can do much more. If connected to a complete home security installation, they will:

  • Discern fire with different sensor types: Comparable to an ordinary smoke detector, your monitored device can trigger from an active or passive fire. It will emit a high-decibel warning when it perceives danger.
  • Identify fire with a rapid temperature increase: Your monitored fire alarm will even activate if it notices an abnormal fluctuation in temperature. Many times, heat is noticed before smoke. More ways to identify a fire equates to additional means to keep your family safe.
  • Notifies professional monitoring representatives: Fires can take place when you are on site or somewhere else. No matter of the situation, your fire alarms will notify your monitoring team, who are able to quickly call first responders. When every tick of the clock is critical, it's nice to have the knowledge that someone is consistently looking out for your home.
  • Pairs with home automation: While the main purpose of a fire alarm is to detect fire and call for help, it can also connect to other automated components. To illustrate, a tripped alarm could induce your system to start the exhaust fan to slow the fire or initiate lighting so you can find the best exit out of the property.

Your monitored fire alarms are part of a fully equipped smart home

The best method to maximize the functionality of your fire alarms is to connect them with a Vivint home security system. Consult with a Vivint security agent today and discover the most suitable smart home for your requirements. Place a call to (706) 800-8603 or submit the following form to get started.