Do I Really Need Smoke and Fire Alarm Protection?
As the founder of a Security Systems Equipment Company, I am continuously baffled as to why so many homeowners, (and for that matter business owners), spend the money to install a Security System with central monitoring, but don't include smoke and fire sensors.
The common refrain I hear is "I already have battery operated detectors that I installed myself" or "There were already wired units installed when I bought the house".
It seems to me that most homeowners just don't get it! Both battery powered and hardwired, (but not wired into an alarm system), smoke or fire detectors have very limited value.
Yes, they will "sound" when the smoke reaches the threshold necessary for them to be triggered.
And as long as you are close enough for them to be heard, you will be alerted to their sound.
But what happens when you are on vacation? It's like the old saying: "If a tree falls down in the woods, but there is no one there to hear it, does it make a noise when it falls? What happens if you are a sound sleeper, have only one unit downstairs and are fast asleep?The possibilities are scary.
You could easily be rendered unconscious by the smoke fumes or be unable to reach an exit or telephone to summon help.
Under either of those circumstances, the detector will have failed to protect you.
One of the common statements I hear from my customers is, "if my house is on fire, my neighbors will summon for help".
I am dubious as to why homeowners risk everything they have on the chance that a fire breaks out ONLY during the daytime when the neighbors are awake AND home to call for help.
Smoke and fire detectors that aren't wired directly into your alarm system cannot summon emergency personnel.
They cannot call you when you are away.
They are not equipped with exterior sirens capable of waking your neighbors at night.
They simply fail the test for Safety.
If your house is on fire, time is of the essence if you wish to save your belongings or a life.
Waiting and hoping that a neighbor might be alerted in the limited window of time needed to protect your home, is a very risky proposition...
Particularly given the fact that centrally monitored smoke and fire detectors are inexpensive additions to any Security System.
The common refrain I hear is "I already have battery operated detectors that I installed myself" or "There were already wired units installed when I bought the house".
It seems to me that most homeowners just don't get it! Both battery powered and hardwired, (but not wired into an alarm system), smoke or fire detectors have very limited value.
Yes, they will "sound" when the smoke reaches the threshold necessary for them to be triggered.
And as long as you are close enough for them to be heard, you will be alerted to their sound.
But what happens when you are on vacation? It's like the old saying: "If a tree falls down in the woods, but there is no one there to hear it, does it make a noise when it falls? What happens if you are a sound sleeper, have only one unit downstairs and are fast asleep?The possibilities are scary.
You could easily be rendered unconscious by the smoke fumes or be unable to reach an exit or telephone to summon help.
Under either of those circumstances, the detector will have failed to protect you.
One of the common statements I hear from my customers is, "if my house is on fire, my neighbors will summon for help".
I am dubious as to why homeowners risk everything they have on the chance that a fire breaks out ONLY during the daytime when the neighbors are awake AND home to call for help.
Smoke and fire detectors that aren't wired directly into your alarm system cannot summon emergency personnel.
They cannot call you when you are away.
They are not equipped with exterior sirens capable of waking your neighbors at night.
They simply fail the test for Safety.
If your house is on fire, time is of the essence if you wish to save your belongings or a life.
Waiting and hoping that a neighbor might be alerted in the limited window of time needed to protect your home, is a very risky proposition...
Particularly given the fact that centrally monitored smoke and fire detectors are inexpensive additions to any Security System.
Source...