What's the difference between traditional smoke detectors vs. monitored fire alarms in St. Paul?

In the St. Paul smoke detector vs. monitored fire alarm debate, there’s easily only one winner. Smoke detectors are a vital consideration in shielding your house from emergency situations, but they have some notable shortcomings. Conversely, monitored fire alarms have more ways to identify a fire and are able to reach out to help when the unthinkable happens. Pairing your fire alarms to a comprehensive smart home also results in many additional perks that your regular smoke detectors could only wish for.

Ordinary smoke alarms can only do one thing

Fire safety is a crucial consideration, and smoke detectors take on a critical part in safeguarding your family. However, smoke detectors have various shortcomings. To illustrate, they will only detect smoke, not heat. If there is a fire in your house, you might not be alerted until the smoke reaches the smoke detector. Although there are further telltale indications of fire -- like a sharp rise in heat -- if there's no smoke, there is no warning from your smoke detector.

Additionally, smoke detectors only activate if they detect an adequate amount of smoke. When a fire creeps along slowly at first, you might not be warned until the situation is out of hand. Some smoke detectors utilize dual sensors, meaning they will detect smoke from both a raging fire and a more gradual burn. Whenever they sound their alarm, it falls to the occupant to call first responders after exiting the property.

Monitored fire alarms offer more benefits than regular smoke detectors

Although they have a similar appearance to regular smoke detectors, monitored fire alarms can do much more. If integrated to a comprehensive home security system, they are able to:

• Identify fire with different sensor types: Comparable to a traditional smoke detector, the monitored alarm can trigger from a roaring blaze or smoldering embers. It will sound a high-decibel warning when it perceives a hazardous situation.

• Identify fire from a sudden rise in heat: Your monitored fire alarm will even trigger if it discerns an uncommon fluctuation in temperature. Frequently, heat comes in advance of smoke. More methods to identify a fire leads to additional ways to keep your family safe.

• Notifies trained monitoring specialists: Fires will take place whether you are at your house or not. No matter of the situation, your fire alarms will notify your monitoring agents, who can quickly place a call to the fire department. When every tick of the clock is critical, it's comforting to know that someone is consistently watching over your residence.

• Pairs with home automation: While the chief purpose of a fire alarm is to detect fire and notify assistance, it may also connect to other automated components. For example, a triggered alarm could induce your system to engage the exhaust fan to impede the flames or turn on the lights so you may find the best way out of your home.

Your monitored fire alarms are a key element of a fully equipped smart home

The easiest method to maximize the functionality of your fire alarms is to integrate them with a Vivint home security system. Contact a Vivint expert today and find the perfect smart home for your needs. Place a call to (651) 240-6686 or send in the form below to take the first step toward a safer property.