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

August 08, 2022
smoke alarm detector on the ceiling

In the Oceanside smoke detector vs. monitored fire alarm discussion, it's clear that a monitored fire alarm is the superior choice"> for your house. Smoke detectors are a vital consideration in shielding your residence from fire, but they have a few concerning shortcomings. On the other hand, monitored fire alarms have more means to identify a potentially dangerous situation and may contact a monitoring team in the event of a disaster. Pairing your fire alarms to a comprehensive smart home also delivers various additional perks that your common smoke detectors can only hope for.

Your regular smoke alarms in Oceanside may be falling short

Defending against fire is important, and smoke detectors take on a critical part in safeguarding your family. However, smoke detectors have some drawbacks. To illustrate, they can only react to smoke, not high temps. When there is a blaze starting in your residence, you would not be warned until the smoke rises to the smoke detector. While there are some other telltale indications of fire -- like a sudden heat increase -- if you don’t have smoke, you won’t have a sounding of your smoke detector.

In addition, smoke detectors only sound the alarm if they encounter an adequate amount of smoke. When a fire creeps along slowly at first, you may not be alerted until the situation is out of hand. Many smoke detectors use dual-sensor technology, which means they will detect smoke from both roaring flames and something less intense. If they start beeping, it's up to the resident to contact emergency services after they safely leave the property.

Monitored fire alarms do much more than ordinary smoke detectors

Although they have a similar appearance to standard smoke detectors, monitored fire alarms offer more benefits. When connected to a complete home security package, they will:

  • Discern fire with multi-sensor technology: Comparable to a traditional smoke detector, your monitored alarm will trigger from a roaring blaze or smoldering embers. It will resonate a high-volume beeping whenever it recognizes a hazardous situation.
  • Identify fire due to a sudden temperature increase: A monitored fire alarm can also trigger if it discerns an abnormal fluctuation in temperature. Many times, heat is noticed in advance of smoke. Having additional means to uncover a fire equates to extra ways to safeguard your family.
  • Warns your dedicated monitoring specialists: Fires will happen when you are on site or somewhere else. Regardless, your fire alarms will warn your monitoring specialists, who are able to swiftly call first responders. When every moment matters, it's nice to realize that a trained professional is consistently keeping a watch of your residence.
  • Pairs with home automation: While the primary task of a fire alarm is to identify an emergency and call for monitoring agents, it may also integrate with other automated equipment. For instance, a tripped alarm might prompt your system to turn on the exhaust fan to impede the fire or trigger smart light bulbs so you may locate the best exit out of the house.

Your monitored fire alarms are part of a comprehensive smart home

The easiest approach to optimize your fire alarms is to pair them with a Vivint home security system. Speak with a Vivint security agent today and discover the perfect smart home for your needs. Diall (760) 304-1641 or submit the following form to take the first step toward a safer property.