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Are there differences between traditional smoke detectors vs. monitored fire alarms in Myrtle Beach?

August 08, 2022
smoke alarm detector on the ceiling

In the Myrtle Beach smoke detector vs. monitored fire alarm discussion, one alarm rises over the other. Smoke detectors are a vital first step in shielding your residence from a dangerous blaze, but they have a few concerning drawbacks. Conversely, monitored fire alarms have more means to discover an emergency and may reach out to your support team when disaster strikes. Connecting your fire alarms to a comprehensive smart home also delivers many other advantages that your ordinary smoke detectors could only hope for.

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

Protecting your home from fire is important, and smoke detectors play a critical part in keeping your family safe. However, smoke detectors have various drawbacks. For instance, they are only able to identify smoke, not high temps. When there is an emergency in your home, you would not be alerted unless the smoke reaches the smoke detector. While there are additional telltale signs of fire -- such as a sudden increase in warmth -- if you don’t have smoke, you won’t have a warning from your smoke detector.

What’s more, smoke detectors only beep if they encounter enough smoke. If a fire creeps along slowly at first, you might not be alerted until the flames are out of control. Various smoke detectors utilize more than one sensor, which means they will recognize smoke from both roaring flames and something less intense. If they sound their alarm, it falls to the homeowner to call the fire department after safely leaving the property.

Monitored fire alarms offer more benefits than ordinary smoke detectors

While they look like traditional smoke detectors, monitored fire alarms have added advantages. When connected to a total home security installation, they are able to:

  • Discern fire with dual-sensor smoke detection: Similar to a standard smoke detector, the monitored alarm has the ability to trigger from an active or passive fire. It will emit a high-decibel beeping whenever it recognizes a potential disaster.
  • Identify fire due to a rapid heat surge: A monitored fire alarm may also trigger if it discerns an uncommon increase in heat. Typically, heat arrives in advance of smoke. Having additional methods to uncover a fire leads to more means to safeguard your family.
  • Notifies professional monitoring specialists: Fires may take place when you are at your house or not. No matter of the situation, your fire alarms will alert your monitoring specialists, who can swiftly call the fire department. When seconds count, it's comforting to know that a trained professional is constantly watching over your house.
  • Pairs with home automation: Although the primary job of a fire alarm is to detect an emergency and call for monitoring agents, it may also connect to other automated components. For instance, a triggered alarm might induce your system to engage the exhaust fan to impede the fire or trigger smart light bulbs so you can see the quickest exit out of the property.

Your monitored fire alarms are part 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 expert today and customize the perfect smart home for your requirements. Place a call to (843) 483-5033 or submit the form below to take the first step toward a safer property.