What's the difference between regular smoke detectors vs. monitored fire alarms in Richmond?

In the Richmond smoke detector vs. monitored fire alarm debate, there’s only one victor. Smoke detectors are an important first step in protecting your house from fire, but they have several drawbacks. Alternatively, monitored fire alarms offer more ways to discover an emergency and can notify a monitoring team in the event of a disaster. Connecting your fire alarms to a home security system also results in various additional advantages that your ordinary smoke detectors can only hope for.

Regular smoke alarms will only do this one thing

Fire safety is important, and smoke detectors take on an essential role in safeguarding your family. However, smoke detectors have some limitations. For instance, they can only identify smoke, not heat. When there is a blaze starting in your house, you would not be warned until the smoke ascends to the smoke detector. While there are some other significant signs of fire -- including a marked increase in warmth -- if there’s a lack of smoke, you will fail to get a warning from your smoke detector.

Additionally, smoke detectors only activate when they encounter enough smoke. In the event a fire begins slowly, you might not be alerted until the flames are out of control. Many smoke detectors employ more than one sensor, meaning they will recognize smoke from both a raging fire and smoldering remnants. Whenever they sound their alarm, it’s required of the homeowner to contact emergency services after exiting the residence.

Monitored fire alarms provide more value than ordinary smoke detectors

Even though they look like standard smoke detectors, monitored fire alarms can do much more. When linked to a complete home security package, they will:

• Discern fire with multi-sensor technology: Comparable to an ordinary smoke detector, your monitored device has the ability to trigger from a roaring blaze or smoldering embers. It will resonate a high-decibel beeping if it recognizes danger.

• Discover fire with a rapid temperature increase: Your monitored fire alarm can also go off if it senses an abnormal fluctuation in temperature. Many times, heat arrives in advance of smoke. Added means to detect a fire equates to more methods to protect your loved ones.

• Notifies trained monitoring specialists: Fires may happen when you are home or away. No matter of the situation, your fire alarms will warn your monitoring team, who are able to rapidly place a call to emergency services. When every moment matters, it's great to have the knowledge that a trained professional is constantly watching over your home.

• Pairs with home automation: Although the primary purpose of a fire alarm is to detect an emergency and request help, it can also integrate with other automated components. For example, a activated alarm might prompt your system to start the exhaust fan to slow the spread of fire or turn on smart light bulbs so you can locate the best exit out of the house.

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

The best approach to optimize your fire alarms is to connect them with a Vivint home security system. Speak with a Vivint security agent today and find the most suitable smart home for your needs. Call (804) 534-2782 or submit the following form to get started.