Is there a difference between traditional smoke detectors vs. monitored fire alarms in Chattanooga?

In the Chattanooga smoke detector vs. monitored fire alarm discussion, there’s easily only one champion. Smoke detectors are a vital line of defense in guarding your residence from fire, but they have a few concerning limitations. Conversely, monitored fire alarms provide more means to identify a potentially dangerous situation and may reach out to a monitoring team when disaster strikes. Connecting your fire alarms to a comprehensive smart home also brings out many other benefits that your common smoke detectors can only wish for.

Your traditional smoke alarms in Chattanooga might be falling short

Fire safety is a crucial consideration, and smoke detectors play a vital part in shielding your family. Even so, smoke detectors have their shortcomings. For example, they will only react to smoke, not heat. If there is a blaze starting in your house, you may not be alerted until the smoke rises to the smoke detector. Although there are further telltale signs of fire -- like a sharp heat increase -- if there's no smoke, you won’t have a warning from your smoke detector.

Additionally, smoke detectors only beep when they detect enough smoke. When a fire creeps along slowly at first, you may not be alerted until the situation is out of hand. Many smoke detectors employ dual-sensor technology, which means they will detect smoke from both a blazing inferno and smoldering remnants. Then when they start beeping, it's up to the resident to contact first responders after they safely leave the residence.

Monitored fire alarms provide more value than standard smoke detectors

Although they look about the same as traditional smoke detectors, monitored fire alarms have added advantages. If connected to a comprehensive home security package, they are able to:

• Detect fire with multi-sensor technology: Like an ordinary smoke detector, this monitored device can activate from an intense fire or one that has just started smoking. It will resonate an easily audible alarm if it senses danger.

• Discover fire with a rapid rise in heat: A monitored fire alarm may even activate if it discerns an abnormal fluctuation in temperature. Typically, heat arrives before smoke. More ways to uncover a fire equates to additional means to keep your family safe.

• Notifies trained monitoring specialists: Fires will occur whether you are on site or somewhere else. Regardless, your fire alarms will alert your monitoring specialists, who will swiftly contact emergency services. When every moment matters, it's great to know that a trained professional is constantly watching over your residence.

• Integrates with home automation: Although the chief job of a fire alarm is to detect dangerous situations and call for assistance, it will also integrate with other automated devices. For instance, a tripped alarm might make your system engage the exhaust fan to slow the fire or trigger the lights so you may see the best path out of the property.

Your monitored fire alarms are a key element of a complete smart home

The simplest way to optimize your fire alarms is to integrate them with a Vivint home security system. Contact a Vivint security agent today and customize the most suitable smart home for your requirements. Diall (423) 561-9767 or submit the form below to get started.