Wired Smoke Detectors
Life-safety sensors like smoke detectors make for a great addition to nearly any alarm system. These devices can let you and your system know if there is a dangerous fire that requires immediate attention. Alarm systems consider smoke detectors to be 24-hour constantly active zones. No matter whether your system is armed or disarmed, an activated smoke detector will send your system into an instant alarm. Some zone settings can require the sensor to be activated twice in a short period of time to sound an alarm. But once this happens, an immediate fire alarm will follow.
Wired smoke detectors for alarm systems come in two major variations. These are 2-wire smoke detectors and 4-wire smoke detectors. In most cases, 2-wire smoke detectors are easier to install, and they require less extra hardware. But the restriction is that 2-wire smoke detectors will need to be use on a specific hardwired zone designed for 2-wire smokes. For example, this is Zone 1 on most Honeywell VISTA Alarm Systems.
When it comes to 4-wire smokes, there are fewer restrictions as to which zone can support these sensors. Nearly any hardwired zone is capable of supporting 4-wire smoke detectors. However, you will most likely need to add various accessories to support the 4-wire smoke. These accessories include a hardwired relay, a power supervision relay and possibly an external power supply. You will also need an end of line resistor (EOLR).
Most users will only use wired smoke detectors with wired security systems. For wireless systems, it is usually easier to use wireless smoke detectors instead. But if you do decide to go with hardwired smokes for a hardwired system, then you will have many options available. Of course, there are 2-wire and 4-wire smoke detectors. Another option is whether you will want a photoelectric smoke detector or an ionization smoke detector. We recommend photoelectric smoke detectors if possible, but ionization smoke detectors still work very well.
Another option is if you want a standalone smoke detector or a combination smoke and heat detector. Combination smoke and heat sensors use both heat detection and smoke detection in detecting fires. If possible, you should go with combination sensors, as they will give you more methods for detecting fires. But if you want to use standalone smoke detectors, then they should still work very well. Additionally, rooms with very high humidity or excessive dust may be best-suited for standalone heat sensors. These rooms include bathrooms, garages, attics and kitchens.
If you have hardwired smoke detectors for your alarm system, then you will definitely want active monitoring service as well. This way, your system will be able to send outbound signals during fire alarms. You can choose between central station monitoring and self-monitoring. Central station monitoring means that your system can communicate with a 24/7 central monitoring station to let a trained dispatcher know about any alarms that come through. Self-monitoring means that you will receive alarm alerts via text and/or email, and it will be up to you to contact the authorities during alarm events.