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A fire can cause incredible damage to a property. Even worse is the damage it can cause to a person's body. The good thing about a fire, as opposed to a flood or tornado, is that, even if it cannot be prevented, it can be prepared for. Smoke and heat detectors that are in working order do a good job of alerting those inside a residence of a potential problem. A home fire extinguisher can nip a small problem in the bud. Some homeowners, however, are taking fire safety a step further by installing a fire alarm system.
The Fire Alarm System Difference
Fire burns and spreads very quickly much faster than most people imagine. A few minutes can mean the difference between only minor damage and a situation that is way out of control. The faster everyone gets out of a house, and the faster the firefighters can get to the scene, the better the chances are that the repairs needed will be minimal.
The difference between a smoke detector and a fire alarm is all in the monitoring. Much like a home security system or burglar alarm, a fire alarm system is watched 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by a monitoring service. If a problem arises, day or night, the service notifies the fire department immediately to minimize any damage.
Purchasing a Fire Alarm System
A top-of-the-line fire alarm (like the ones used in commercial and industrial settings) can be very expensive. If you leave out the bells and whistles that come with commercial units, however, a fire alarm system can be quite affordable. The things that drive the price up for more complex systems are frequently things that most homes can safely do without, like sprinkler systems and exit signs. It is often the case that the most expensive part of a fire alarm is the monthly payment for the monitoring service, which is generally pretty reasonable.
Fire Alarm Installation
This will vary by the manufacturer. Some companies will require the system to be installed by their own people to make sure the job is done to their standards. Other companies might leave the installation to the homeowner or to a third party.
There are close to 69 million homes in America, and 4% (2.7 million) of these homes do not have a smoke alarm. What's more is that another 20% of homes have an installed smoke alarm that is not functional. According to the National Fire Protection Association Report, nearly 70% of all home-fire fatalities occur in homes without working smoke alarms. This should be a pretty scary thought for people without a working smoke or fire alarm.
The Newest Product on the Market
While the numbers are pretty clear that smoke alarms will save lives, there are still some problems with the current alarm methods. What if you are on the other side of the house from the alarm? This question creates a great deal of pause, and it is the reason for the invention of wireless smoke alarm systems.
Wireless smoke alarm systems link together so that when one alarm detects smoke, it will trigger all other alarms to sound. This immediate reaction provides more warning in more locations, which can increase a family's available escape time. On average, a family has only three minutes from when the first smoke alarm sounds to escape a house fire. The sooner they hear a smoke alarm, the sooner they can get out safely.
Better still, these wireless alarm systems are battery-operated which means that you don't have to get your entire house rewired for this added protection. The units attach easily to walls and ceilings, and once attached they talk to each other (and then tell you) about an imminent fire.
Save Money on Insurance
Yes, a monitoring service will have to be paid each month to get the full benefit of your fire alarm. In some instances, however, a homeowner may be able to get some of that money back each month. Having a direct link to the fire department is something that many insurance companies take into account when they determine how much a home costs to insure.
It is in the insurance company's best interest, if a fire does occur, for the authorities to be alerted as quickly as possible. For this reason, you may be able to get a discount on your home's fire insurance by installing a fire alarm system. Those interested in installing an alarm system should check with their insurance company to see if any discount is available, and which fire alarms qualify.
The Final Word
National Fire Protection Association reports that a working fire alarm in every home in America would reduce home fire deaths by 36%, which is a staggering figure. Make sure that you have some kind of fire or smoke alarm in your home and if you want to be really safe, have a wireless smoke alarm system installed.
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