Some more smoke alarm questions...

EricG · 01-07-08, 05:09 PM

Inspired by the other thread.
I'm building an addition onto my home. Interconnected smoke alarms are now required in our area, so I'm doing that - including running them into the existing house.

A few questions.
Battery Backup - I see plenty of AC wired interconnected smoke alarms that have individual 9V battery backups. Considering how many alarms there will be once this system is done, changing them twice a year will be a real PITA. It seems there should be an easier way - like an UPS type battery backup on the entire circuit. Is anything like that available? A few minutes of googling didn't turn anything up.

Of course, if the circuit gets broken somehow, everything downstream would be dead. Maybe keep 9V batteries in the bedrooms also.

Attic Alarm - The specs I've looked at tell you that the alarm is only rated for 40F to 100F. I have a metal fireplace chimney going through the attic, and I live in a wildfire area, where fires can start with sparks through vents into the attic. I've also heard of lightning strikes or wiring faults causing fires in attics that can smolder for days undetected before flaring up. So is there a detector that you can put in this type of space? I've seen the heat detectors - but would that catch a slow smoldering fire?

FJ40_owner · 01-07-08, 07:16 PM

why not buy a hardwired supervised 24 volt system? Seems simple to me and cheeper than 9 volt BS

FJ40_owner · 01-07-08, 07:28 PM

A HD will alarm one time at its rated temp.
bn
Some have a rate of rise feature. (20 degrees + in xx time = Alarm)

EricG · 01-07-08, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FJ40_owner

why not buy a hardwired supervised 24 volt system? Seems simple to me and cheeper than 9 volt BS

Not sure what you mean by this? References/vendors?

01-07-08, 05:09 PM	#1
EricG IH8MUD Addict Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Colorado Springs, CO Posts: 542	Some more smoke alarm questions... Inspired by the other thread. I'm building an addition onto my home. Interconnected smoke alarms are now required in our area, so I'm doing that - including running them into the existing house. A few questions. Battery Backup - I see plenty of AC wired interconnected smoke alarms that have individual 9V battery backups. Considering how many alarms there will be once this system is done, changing them twice a year will be a real PITA. It seems there should be an easier way - like an UPS type battery backup on the entire circuit. Is anything like that available? A few minutes of googling didn't turn anything up. Of course, if the circuit gets broken somehow, everything downstream would be dead. Maybe keep 9V batteries in the bedrooms also. Attic Alarm - The specs I've looked at tell you that the alarm is only rated for 40F to 100F. I have a metal fireplace chimney going through the attic, and I live in a wildfire area, where fires can start with sparks through vents into the attic. I've also heard of lightning strikes or wiring faults causing fires in attics that can smolder for days undetected before flaring up. So is there a detector that you can put in this type of space? I've seen the heat detectors - but would that catch a slow smoldering fire? __________________ It is neither necessary or possible to educate someone who never questions anything. - Josephe Heller, Catch 22 93 FZJ80 - Locked & Lifted - still waiting on Loaded (CDL, 7pin, Axle transplant from Jenny Cruiser, 2" OME lift)

01-07-08, 07:16 PM	#2
FJ40_owner IH8MUD Addict Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: El Dorado County CA TLCA# 16294 Posts: 526	why not buy a hardwired supervised 24 volt system? Seems simple to me and cheeper than 9 volt BS __________________ Third generation Californian! If you don't like it here, leave. And take your fat wife and screeming kids with you.

01-07-08, 07:28 PM	#3
FJ40_owner IH8MUD Addict Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: El Dorado County CA TLCA# 16294 Posts: 526	A HD will alarm one time at its rated temp. bn Some have a rate of rise feature. (20 degrees + in xx time = Alarm) __________________ Third generation Californian! If you don't like it here, leave. And take your fat wife and screeming kids with you.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode