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Step 1
Contact home security companies. Almost all home security companies now have fire alarms that are tied to the smoke alarm. The best way to figure out which home security alarm system with a fire alarm is best, have consultants from each company come to display how their devices work. When a consultant arrives at the home, he likely will talk about a couple of the features these alarm systems include relative to fire alarms. Specifically, he will talk about technology and monitoring.
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Step 2
Ask about what kind of smoke is detected. While many smoke detectors will sound anytime any smoke is detected, there are other detectors that are more technologically advanced. A typical smoke alarm sometimes will go off when something like a cigarette is smoked or when toast is burnt. However, the newer and more technologically advanced systems are programmed to only detect carbon smoke. This means that the fire alarm is only triggered if it detects an actual solid substance (like wood) burning.
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Step 3
Ask about monitoring. Nearly all of the large home security alarm system companies are contracted with a monitoring company to increase the protection offered to each home. Just as the monitoring company calls the local dispatch in the case of an unlawful entry, they do the same when the fire alarm sounds. Monitoring companies should know if it is the burglar alarm or the fire alarm sounding when an alarm goes off.
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Step 4
Ask about response time. When it comes to something like having a fire in the home, every second counts. Because each home security company uses its own monitoring service, each monitoring service operates in a different way. Ask the consultant about the monitoring response time. The response time is the time it takes for the home monitoring company to call dispatch after the alarm has sounded. Any number higher than 30 seconds is unacceptable.
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Step 5
If all else seems wrong, do it yourself. If cost is a concern, then installing the home security alarm system with a fire alarm might be better to do as a do-it-yourself project. Any of the large home improvement chain stores have security systems for purchase that include fire alarms as well as burglar alarms. When at the store, it is best that a person has a good idea about what he wants for his home security system to do so that he can consult with employees at the store, rather than simply take their word for it when they suggest products.
