If not a smoke bridge, what is there for fire and smoke detection?

[Pete C]

Hello Community!

I have been reading about smoke bridges as a Band-Aid for a smoke monitoring option.  Seems they are not available and not really great technology anyway.  Is there anything on the market these days to provide for smoke and fire monitoring?  

[simplextech]

The preferred method for any life/safety devices are to use a security panel.  A common favorite is Elk. 

If you do not have a security panel or don't want to purchase one the next option would be Z-Wave Smoke detectors.  The current (only?) Z-Wave smoke detector is the First Alert ZCOMBO which is a Smoke/CO detector. 

I in fact have several of the First Alert ZCOMBO that I've recently retired as they were replaced with Smoke detectors connected to my Elk panel.

[MrBill]

I agree with @simplextech that the best method is a security panel. 

one more method that he didn't mention is that if the house has 120v inter-connected smoke alarms all of the manufactures have auxiliary relays.   First Alert/BRK or Firex/Kidde. These were created with hearing impaired in mind.  You have to pair it with some other device to get the alarm turned into an ISY node... but it's do-able.  Keep in mind that it's homebrew and could fail.  it's attached to your interconnected smoke alarms tho so even if your homebrew notification solution fails at least the local alarm will sound.

[Pete C]

This is a dated thread but I just received a Kidde relay/power supply module as recommended by MrBill

https://www.amazon.com/Kidde-SM120X-Interconnect-Accessories-Module/dp/B00HQNPOHI/

This is straight forward electrical connection to provide contact closure and/or a 5 volt output when triggered by an active detector in my 120v inter-connected smoke alarms.   So as I proceed to the next step, can anyone confirm that the Insteon remote control low voltage controller is the best interface to connect to the ISY 994i, whereby I could trigger an email to be sent if this controller senses contact closure? I don't plan to have this trigger an alarm or other powered device as in principle the home alarms should be sounding when this device is triggered by a contact closure.  My goal is to be informed of a fire while traveling by receiving a text or email (or both).  Once set up, my next project is to learn how to trigger an email being sent by the ISY 994i... Seems more reliable that a smoke bridge.

https://www.smarthome.com/products/i-o-linc-insteon-2450-low-voltage-contact-closure-interface-1-in-1-out

 

Thanks!!

 

[RPerrault]

i had the first alert with smoke bridge - liked that all of them announced the location

dumped that for the first alert zcombo - which do not announce the location - so i have all the echo devices announce the location - and send me a text from the isy - and do some lighting stuff

i do have elk so i will some day look into changing again

 

[MrBill]

15 hours ago, DPhelps said:

This is a dated thread but I just received a Kidde relay/power supply module as recommended by MrBill

https://www.amazon.com/Kidde-SM120X-Interconnect-Accessories-Module/dp/B00HQNPOHI/

This is straight forward electrical connection to provide contact closure and/or a 5 volt output when triggered by an active detector in my 120v inter-connected smoke alarms.   So as I proceed to the next step, can anyone confirm that the Insteon remote control low voltage controller is the best interface to connect to the ISY 994i, whereby I could trigger an email to be sent if this controller senses contact closure? I don't plan to have this trigger an alarm or other powered device as in principle the home alarms should be sounding when this device is triggered by a contact closure.  My goal is to be informed of a fire while traveling by receiving a text or email (or both).  Once set up, my next project is to learn how to trigger an email being sent by the ISY 994i... Seems more reliable that a smoke bridge.

https://www.smarthome.com/products/i-o-linc-insteon-2450-low-voltage-contact-closure-interface-1-in-1-out

I used a smartenit EZIO2X4 which in addition to the smoke alarms also monitors the front doorbell and has the capability of ringing the single chime "back" doorbell (which occurs when either back gate is opened). 

Another inexpensive method is just use an insteon open/close sensor.  (since it's a battery device, be sure to set up a program to monitor the heartbeat as well.  The easy method to eliminate the battery is search "AA battery Eliminator" on amazon-- just be aware those kits are sold based on the number of batteries the devices takes, which matches the voltage, there's only a few for a single AA battery (which is 1.5volts).

Keep in mind, this is an imperfect auxiliary system that you're setting up.  It will probably work when you need it to, BUT IT MIGHT NOT WORK CORRECTLY.   Don't rely on it, it's not as good as a supervised wireless alarm.  Either described method, has negatives.  I had a smartenit that got damaged by lighting and I didn't realize it no longer worked until someone rang the doorbell after a couple weeks.  Using a battery is problematic because it might die, etc.  And finally Insteon is Insteon and while it works most of the time there's always the odd moment of data collision or weird line noise when something just doesn't turn off or on.

 

[apostolakisl]

I would install a proper security system based smoke detector which can then easily be bridged for "informational purposes only" to your ISY via lots of methods.  DSC alarm panels are quite inexpensive and UL listed and all.  The smoke detectors themselves will likely cost far more than the alarm panel depending on the quantity.  Linking DSC to ISY can be done with polyglot and an IP adapter for the DSC panel.

If you already have a standard smoke alarm system that is just a local, interconnected, siren only type system, often they do have models with relays that can bridge to an Insteon, Zwave, or other IP based contact closure device that will link to ISY.

[Techman]

If you currently have Z-wave then another option is a Z-wave enabled smoke detector.

First Alert Z-Wave Smoke Detector & Carbon Monoxide Alarm, Works with Ring Alarm, 2nd Generation - - Amazon.com