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What's the difference between traditional smoke detectors vs. monitored fire alarms in Atlanta?

August 08, 2022
smoke alarm detector on the ceiling

In the Atlanta smoke detector vs. monitored fire alarm argument, there’s easily only one champion. Smoke detectors are an essential line of defense in shielding your place from emergency situations, but they have a few concerning drawbacks. Alternatively, monitored fire alarms provide more methods to discover a potentially dangerous situation and may contact a monitoring team when disaster strikes. Pairing your fire alarms to a home security system also delivers many extra advantages that your common smoke detectors could only wish for.

The limitations of ordinary smoke alarms in [[targetlocaion]]

Protecting your home from fire is important, and smoke detectors play an essential role in shielding your family. However, smoke detectors have some limitations. For instance, they will only react to smoke, not extreme temperatures. When there is a fire in your residence, you may not be cautioned unless the smoke reaches the smoke detector. Although there are further telltale indications of fire -- like a sharp increase in warmth -- if there's no smoke, you won’t have a sounding of your smoke detector.

In addition, smoke detectors only activate if they find enough smoke. If a fire creeps along slowly at first, you may not be alerted until it's too late. Various smoke detectors use dual-sensor technology, meaning they will detect smoke from both a blazing inferno and something less intense. Then when they start beeping, it falls to the resident to call first responders after they safely leave the residence.

Monitored fire alarms offer more benefits than standard smoke detectors

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

  • Detect fire with dual-sensor smoke detection: Comparable to a standard smoke detector, the monitored alarm can trigger from an active or passive fire. It will sound a high-decibel warning whenever it perceives a potential disaster.
  • Identify fire due to a abrupt heat surge: A monitored fire alarm may even trigger if it discerns an uncommon fluctuation in temperature. Many times, heat is noticed in advance of smoke. Having additional methods to uncover a fire means additional methods to safeguard your family.
  • Notifies trained monitoring agents: Fires will take place whether you are on site or somewhere else. No matter of the situation, your fire alarms will warn your monitoring team, who will quickly place a call to first responders. When seconds count, it's nice to have the knowledge that a trained professional is consistently keeping a watch of your residence.
  • Connects to home automation: Although the main job of a fire alarm is to recognize dangerous situations and request monitoring agents, it will also join forces with other automated components. For instance, a triggered alarm could make your system turn on the exhaust fan to hinder the fire or turn on lighting so you are able to locate the quickest exit out of the house.

Your monitored fire alarms are an important aspect of a comprehensive smart home

The best way to optimize your fire alarms is to connect them with a Vivint home security system. Speak with a Vivint expert today and customize the most suitable smart home for your requirements. Call (404) 905-1132 or send in the form below to begin.