Edwards Fire Alarm - Comparison of Fire Alarm Systems

How home fire alarm systems work?

Most fire alarms work very simply - they are heat detectors, smoke detectors or fire alarm boxes that are triggered manually. When fire is detected the sound of fire alarm bells tells everybody in the building about the danger. Some alarms are also equipped with blinking lights for people who have problems hearing.

Even the simplest smoke detectors are very effective, and they don’t cost you much. Of course, these days on the market you can find more complicated electronic fire alarm system that go beyond simple smoke or heat detecting. Many fire alarms are a part of your general home security system and are wired in with your intruder alarms. These systems will cost you much more. Do you research to find out what system is best for your home. The best place to start is to visit your local fire department and ask them for advice.

What cost to expect for a residential fire alarm?

First of all, there is initial cost of purchasing and installing your fire alarm equipment. This can vary greatly. A simple smoke detector will only cost you 20-25 dollars, while more sophisticated alarm systems go as high as 1500-2000 dollars. Even though it is important to protect your home from fire the best way possible, you probably don’t need the most expensive system. Usually home owners are happy with medium priced models. It is not all that important what model of fire alarm you have, what is crucial is your fire alarm monitoring.

You can consider yourself lucky if you are at home when your fire alarm goes off. Then you can deal with the disaster fairly quickly. But what if you are at work? Many fires are a result of electrical failure and can happen when people are not home. So to protect your property 24 hours a day you will need a fire alarm monitoring service. This will usually be a monthly fee, expect to pay from 30 to 50 dollars. This is really not a high price to pay considering to the amount of damage a fire can make to your home.

Make sure your home fire alarm works properly

You should test your fire alarm once in a while, to make sure it is working. Of course you will have to notify your fire department before testing, to avoid penalty for false alarm. Also remember that most smoke detectors are powered by batteries, so it is a good idea to replace your residential fire alarm batteries every few month. Visit Guide to Fire Alarms where you can find information and tips about different types of residential fire alarm systems