How Fire Alarm Systems Help Homeowners

House fires cause property damage as well as bodily harm, costing homeowners enormous amounts of money when disaster strikes. Unlike other natural disasters, fires can be prepared for, if not prevented. In addition to traditional smoke alarms, some homeowners are choosing fire alarm systems to gain additional fire protection for their homes and families.

The Facts

Fires burn property and spread very quickly, especially in homes. The faster everyone in the house gets out, and the faster firefighters get to the scene, the faster the fire will be put out, and the less damage will be done to the home. Fire alarm systems notify homeowners and the fire department much quicker than a traditional smoke detector would, so many homeowners who have fire alarm systems and experience a fire will end up with less damage to their property.

Types

There are several types of fire alarm systems: home, commercial, monitored, and unmonitored.
Commercial fire alarm systems can get quite expensive because they often include features such as sprinkler systems and exit signs.
Home fire alarm systems can be quite affordable, because there is no need for extras like sprinklers. Home fire alarm systems can be "bare bones," including nothing more than a loud alarm and flashing lights.
Monitored systems are watched all the time by an outside service. If there is a problem, the monitoring service contacts the fire department on behalf of the homeowner.
Unmonitored systems have loud alarms and flashing lights to notify the homeowner and the neighbors if there is a problem.

Features

On monitored systems, if there is a fire or suspected fire, the system uses a phone line to notify the monitoring company. This way, the monitoring company can notify the fire department immediately.
Most systems have loud alarms so that the homeowners can get out of the house as soon as possible. These alarms may also be loud enough to alert neighbors that there is a fire.

Benefits

One of the immediate benefits of a fire alarm system is that when the company installs the system, its technicians may also check for fire hazards in the home. This can help homeowners to prevent future fires.
Monitored fire alarm systems provide full benefits because they make sure that the fire department is dispatched to the home in case of fire. This way, the homeowner has peace of mind that no matter what, if there is a fire, someone will come immediately to help.
Some insurance companies offer discounts on fire insurance to homeowners who have monitored fire alarm systems, so even though homeowners pay a monthly fee for monitoring services, they may get money back every month from their insurance company in a reduced premium.

Considerations

Installation prices and services vary from company to company and from system to system. Some companies mandate that the company install the alarm system, and some companies allow homeowners or a third party to install the system.
Unmonitored systems may not be effective if the homeowner is away and the neighbors are also away, or the neighbors don't hear the alarm, or don't act when they hear the alarm. The alarms themselves do not dispatch firefighters to the home.
Monitored alarm systems require a separate dedicated phone line connecting to the monitoring service. If the monitoring company dispatches firefighters to the home and it turns out to be a false alarm, the homeowner may be charged a fee.
Homeowners should research several companies before selecting a fire alarm system. Some companies use a third party to monitor their systems. Make sure the company has an Underwriter's Laboratory rating, which ensures that the company itself will be monitoring the system.