Based on the National Fire Protection Association statistics, more than one-third of all home fire deaths resulted from homes without smoke alarms. Almost one-quarter of the cases resulted from fires in homes where smoke alarms were present but did not function properly.
Installing a wireless smoke detector is an important fire safety tool that protects you and your loved ones in case of an emergency. How does a wireless smoke detector work? The detector sounds an alarm when it senses smoke or extreme temperatures and wirelessly alerts the 24-hour monitoring team to send help.
Wireless smoke detectors work using radio frequency to communicate quickly and effectively. They often contain one of two categories of sensors: ionization sensors or photoelectric sensors. Ionization-sensing alarms can detect invisible fire particles to the naked eye (associated with flaming fires).
In contrast, photoelectric sensing alarms are far better at detecting visible particles (associated with smoldering fires) sooner than ionization alarms. Most alarms have one or the other, but that’s not something to worry too much about; either wireless smoke detector will be able to test for fires reliably, and this reliability stems from an interconnected system.
Some wireless smoke detectors have a built-in mesh networking system to manage interference. The Mesh Networking system allows all smoke alarms to communicate via the shortest possible path and set off all (working) alarms. If any path is broken, the Mesh Network can manipulate another path quickly and effectively. If a wireless smoke detector randomly breaks down in the kitchen, you’ll still quickly have alarms ringing in the bedroom. Wireless communication allows for safer and more reliable fire safety.
Experts in fire safety often recommend it – when one alarm sounds, all of them do, meaning you’ll have an early warning against any potential fires, no matter where they start. Unlike mains-operated smoke detectors, wireless smoke detectors are easier to set up, intelligent, and able to divert signals even if an alarm breaks – guaranteeing your safety.
Tip: Check your batteries at least yearly. Most smoke detectors guarantee a 5-year battery life, but if a low, beeping tone (and sometimes an amber light) can be heard, it’s time to swap out old batteries for new ones.
Wireless fire detection is precisely that: wireless. Therefore, it eliminates the need for lengthy cable runs, which can be unsightly or damaging to the aesthetics of a property. This also means that fire detection is required in a separate building, such as an outhouse or toilet block; detectors, call points, sounders, and other field devices can connect wirelessly to the main building.
Most wireless devices are battery-powered, so they will work during a power cut or blackout. This ensures that reliable fire detection is always available and offers increased protection, especially if the building is occupied by people, such as sleeping residents, who may be unaware that there is an issue
The detection devices need no cables, so only the control panel must be connected to the main system. This means wireless smoke detectors can be installed anywhere with minimal labor required. As we said above, this makes installation cheaper and faster, too.
The problem with hardwired alarm systems is that if you want to install them in an already completed building that’s in use, you might need to have some of the walls broken down (at least partially) to get the cables in the right places. This will take time and cost money. If you plan to install a fire alarm system in a new build, hardwired alarms can be implemented in the original design, eliminating this problem.
The biggest concern most users have when considering wireless smoke alarms is reliability. Wireless smoke alarm systems depend on wireless coverage to communicate with the control panel; the system will be ineffective if that’s not available. If the signal is weak, the units might drain their battery faster as they constantly search for the signal (much like your mobile phone when you can not connect to the network). This causes problems when it comes to battery life and replacements.
That being said, in terms of fire detection, wireless smoke alarms are just as reliable as hardwired alarms. The battery shouldn’t be a problem if you arrange for regular maintenance. To avoid coverage issues, it’s best to have a fire safety specialist assess whether wireless is a viable option for you.
If you are interested in interior design, you’ll have another reason to love wireless smoke alarms. Without unsightly cables hanging about, they simply look better, neater, and fit more easily in any space you have to work with, whether it’s an office, school, or residential building.
Inadvertently, the installation requirements of a hardwired fire alarm system can also affect the appearance of the building. Drilling holes into walls will require some additional work to improve the finish of the wall, such as plastering or dry lining and repainting. Those procedures come with their own stylistic challenges, so going wireless saves you a lot of hassle in this aspect.
One of the best things about a wireless smoke alarm system is that it can be moved, extended, or amended as needed. Yes, that’s right – you can add new units or move the existing units around as your building plan evolves. Wireless alarms are a sensible choice for construction sites and other temporary projects.
Hardwired alarms are a nightmare to move or replace, requiring completely rewiring the system. It’s a complicated and time-consuming process. If you have to go through with it, it will likely cause disruptions to your business, as well, as you may need to pause your day-to-day activities to allow the work to be completed.
While fire alarms are often more advanced than smoke alarms, providing a detection device that goes beyond identifying smoke, having smoke alarms is still advisable. When installing interconnected smoke alarms, hardwired or wireless still stand.
Interconnected smoke alarms will detect the presence of smoke in each device’s vicinity but, if triggered, will alert all the individual smoke alarms within the property. This interconnected setup ensures that, regardless of how close you are to the smoke, you will receive instant warning allowing you as much time as possible to evacuate.
Without a Wi-Fi connection, your smoke detector will work like a normal smoke alarm. You cannot control it remotely with your iOS smartphone or Android, but the alarm will still activate when the device senses smoke.
Smokeless fire alarms are an essential fire safety tool to have in your home. If you’re looking for a dependable fire safety company to install your fire and smoke alarms, please reach out to us today.
