Vivint Authorized Retailer Napa
Smart Security Specialists -- Your Vivint Authorized Dealer Covering Napa Valley, Petaluma & Sonoma County

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

August 08, 2022
smoke alarm detector on the ceiling

In the Napa smoke detector vs. monitored fire alarm argument, one component rises over the rest. Smoke detectors are an important consideration in protecting your house from a dangerous blaze, but they have several limitations. On the other hand, monitored fire alarms have more ways to detect an emergency and may reach out to help when disaster strikes. Pairing your fire alarms to a comprehensive smart home also delivers many additional perks that your ordinary smoke detectors would only wish for.

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

Protecting your home from fire is a chief concern for homeowners, and smoke detectors perform a critical role in safeguarding your family. Despite that fact, smoke detectors have some shortcomings. To illustrate, they can only detect smoke, not heat. If there is a blaze starting in your residence, you may not be cautioned before the smoke rises to the smoke detector. Even though there are additional significant signs of fire -- including a sudden heat increase -- if you don’t have smoke, you will fail to get a sounding of your smoke detector.

What’s more, smoke detectors only sound the alarm if they encounter an adequate amount of smoke. If a fire starts small, you may not be warned until the flames are out of control. Many smoke detectors use more than one sensor, which means they will recognize smoke from both a blazing inferno and smoldering remnants. If they sound their alarm, it's up to the homeowner to contact emergency services after they safely leave the property.

Monitored fire alarms do much more than standard smoke detectors

Even though they have a similar appearance to standard smoke detectors, monitored fire alarms have added advantages. If linked to a complete home security package, they are able to:

  • Detect fire with multi-sensor technology: Like an ordinary smoke detector, your monitored device can trigger from an intense fire or one that has just started smoking. It will sound a high-volume beeping whenever it recognizes a potential disaster.
  • Identify fire due to a rapid rise in heat: A monitored fire alarm will also activate if it discerns an uncommon fluctuation in temperature. Typically, heat is noticed before smoke. More means to detect a fire leads to extra methods to safeguard your family.
  • Alerts trained monitoring representatives: Fires can take place whether you are at your house or not. Either way, your fire alarms will alert your monitoring team, who are able to swiftly contact first responders. When every tick of the clock is critical, it's nice to have the knowledge that somebody is constantly watching over your home.
  • Integrates with home automation: Although the chief job of a fire alarm is to detect fire and notify assistance, it may also join forces with other automated equipment. For instance, a tripped alarm might make your system turn on the exhaust fan to slow the fire or initiate lighting so you may see the best path out of the property.

Your monitored fire alarms are an important aspect of a complete smart home

The simplest method to maximize the functionality of your fire alarms is to integrate them with a Vivint home security system. Speak with a Vivint expert today and discover the ideal smart home for your family. Place a call to (707) 895-5704 or complete the form on this page to begin.