Buildings must have smoke detectors and smoke alarms installed to ensure that anyone inside is alerted to a potential fire. However, a fire alarm is only good if someone is close enough to hear it. Have you heard of fire alarm monitoring and are not quite sure what it is or what it means? Read on for your ultimate guide to fire alarm monitoring.
What Is Fire Alarm Monitoring?
Fire alarm monitoring is a service provided by many security companies where they actively monitor your alarm system for signals indicating a possible fire.
When the fire system is activated, the monitoring company will promptly alert the authorities and the owner to ensure firefighters are on the way as quickly as possible.
Prompt action is critical during a fire when every second counts. Think about this – it takes less than 30 seconds for a small flame to become a significant blaze and just minutes for a home to become filled with smoke or engulfed in flames.
What’s The Difference Between A Fire Detector And A Fire Alarm?
All homes and commercial buildings are required to have smoke or fire detectors installed. These devices contain a sensor to detect smoke in the area. The smoke could be from any source, but when the detector senses it, a loud alarm will sound to alert everyone to get out.
A fire alarm system has several components that protect your home from fire dangers. Fire alarm systems include smoke and fire detectors, but detectors alone don’t always have an alarm system.
When the fire alarm system activates, horns and lights may warn building occupants of the danger. The system may also trigger fire suppression systems like sprinklers in some commercial settings.
Does A Fire Alarm Have To Be Monitored?
A fire alarm can do its job without monitoring, but it will be less effective. When the smoke detector activates the alarm system, someone needs to be around to hear it to know that there’s an emergency. If no one knows the alarm is going off, no one will call 911 for help.
There are many advantages to having your fire alarm monitored. Still, the biggest one is the peace of mind that comes with knowing that dedicated professionals are watching over your home or office 24/7.
Monitoring ensures someone calls 911 the moment a fire is detected, even if you’re away on vacation or sound asleep. Plus, even if you’re home, you should be focused on getting yourself and your family out safely rather than trying to find your phone to call 911.
Cost And Components Of A Fire Alarm
A fire alarm system includes many components, but here are some of the most common:
- Alarm control panel
- Smoke detectors
- Duct detectors
- Heat detectors
- Initiation devices
- Horns and strobes
The cost for fire alarm equipment and installation will vary depending on the size of your home and your needs. Still, there’s really no price that you could ever place on your family’s safety. Plus, monitoring services could help pay for themselves by potentially getting you a discount on your homeowner’s insurance.
Protect Your Home And Family With A Trusted Fire Alarm Monitoring Company
Fire alarm monitoring along with your home alarm system can be the difference between life and death. Or, at the very least, it ensures that help is on the way as quickly as possible during an emergency. When every second counts, it’s crucial to know you have a trusted security company watching over the things most precious to you.
