How Does a FireFighter FF345 Detector Work?

A FireFighter FF345 Detector works by listening for the temporal 3 sound of an activated smoke detector or the temporal 4 sound of an activated carbon monoxide sensor. When the FF345 hears this type of sound, it will send a signal to the alarm control panel to let it know of the emergency.

When designing an alarm system, life-safety sensors represent a very important consideration. These sensors can mean the difference between life and death in an emergency situation. Two of the most popular types of life-safety sensors are smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors. Alarm Grid strongly recommends that everyone have these types of devices installed and functioning in their homes and businesses. Additionally, many property insurance companies will offer a discount in premiums for customers who maintain functional life-safety devices in their buildings.

One thing that we always want our customers to understand is that alarm systems are used for more reasons than just security purposes. Not every sensor is used to detect a burglary or break-in. Life-safety sensors are an excellent example of this principle. Naturally, if an individual has a security system installed in their home, they should incorporate their life-safety devices into this system as well. There are several advantages to doing this.

For one, the user will be able to take advantage of automatic emergency dispatch from a central station if this feature is included in their alarm monitoring plan. The user may also be able to receive text and/or email alerts from an interactive service platform regarding the activation of any life-safety sensor, again if the plan includes this service. Some examples of interactive service platforms that are used with alarm systems include Alarm.com and Total Connect 2.0. Finally, the user's alarm panel will display an alarm event whenever a programmed life-safety sensor is triggered. This can be a good visual indication of an emergency, and it will allow any programmed sirens and strobes to activate as well.

However, not every smoke detector or carbon monoxide detector can interface with an alarm system. Most hardware stores sell standalone battery-powered life-safety devices that serve as basic noisemakers when they are activated. These devices are not designed to be used with alarm systems, but they are still common fixtures in many homes and businesses. Another possibility is that a building has an existing network of interconnected, high-voltage smoke detectors, or in some cases combination smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.

These devices might provide valuable fire detection and carbon monoxide detection capabilities for the building, but they are unable to interface with an alarm system. The FireFighter FF345 comes into the picture by allowing these standalone or high-voltage life-safety devices to work indirectly with an alarm system. Instead of pairing a life-safety sensor with an alarm system directly, the user will simply program the FF345 with the panel and install the module within six inches of the existing life-safety sensor. When the FF345 is used with a network of interconnected high-voltage smokes or CO detectors in a one-go all-go setup, then a single FF345 device may be able to monitor the entire building!

The thing to remember with the FF345 is that it will send wireless signals to an alarm system at a frequency of 345 MHz. If the system cannot accept incoming wireless 345 MHz signals, then it will not support the FF345. Some examples of alarm systems that accept 345 MHz signals include most Honeywell Systems, 2GIG Systems and Qolsys systems that include a 345 MHz daughter card.

But if you have a panel that works with a different commonly used wireless frequency, then there may be other options available. For example, the Interlogix SLX-AD-T3 will work with 319.5 MHz systems (Qolsys and Interlogix/GE), and the DSC WST-600 will work with 433 MHz systems (legacy DSC). Note that if you have a Qolsys IQ Panel 2 Plus System, or Qolsys IQ Panel 4 make sure you know which daughter card version you have (319.5 MHz, 345 MHz, or 433 MHz) before purchasing a takeover module. Please note that the Interlogix SLX-AD-T3 can only be used with smoke detectors, and it cannot be used with CO detectors.