smoke alarm interconnections

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kgilfilen

Member
Question from a new member:

I need to add two new detectors to an existing interconnected installation. The existing system uses Fyrnetics Lifesaver AC powered, battery-backup SAs. Several questions:

1. Is it necessary to use the same brand/model, or can I just pick up a Firex contractor pack at Home Depot? I've been told it is necessary to use the same brand/model to be certain it will work correctly.

2. Does anyone know if these detectors are still available? I think I saw that Kiddie is making that brand now.
 
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Guest

Guest
Re: smoke alarm interconnections

I have a 6-pack of Firex ionization 120-volt with battery backup. The part number is 45183 for the six-pack.

Contact Maple Chase Company for details on their compatibility with your units. You will get a reply from Invensys: Maple Chase Company maker of Firex
 
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kgilfilen

Member
Re: smoke alarm interconnections

awwt:

Thanks for the quick reply. I did check with the Firex people on the link you provided, and was advised they are not compatible with other brands. I figured different brands used different protocols for signaling an alarm out on the network.

So, I'm back with my original question (#2), whether anyone knows where these are available. I've been on the phone checking the local Denver supply houses for two days.

Maybe I posted this question on the wrong forum? Probably should be on the engineering forum rather than NEC.
 
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bill addiss

Senior Member
Re: smoke alarm interconnections

kgilfilen,

You didn't mention how many of the existing ones there were, but you can always replace the older units with new. That should solve your availability problem and may even be better if the existing ones were getting a bit dated.

Bill
 
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kgilfilen

Member
Re: smoke alarm interconnections

Thanks bill and cselectric. I sent an email to the address given, hopefully they'll reply quickly. I am planning to have the basement in question inspection-ready by Wednesday next week.

bill, the house was built in 1991, so without actually counting them, I expect there are 6 detectors on the main and upper floors. You may be onto something, if I cannot find anything in Denver (and I haven't had time to dig through everything in the yellow pages yet). Why not swap them all out with Firex? It would be less than $100 in additional materials. Something to ponder...
 
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big jim

Member
Re: smoke alarm interconnections

Remember, you or your customer (depending on if its bid or T&M) can afford to spent much time looking for a solution. If you can't find compatable units quickly, it'll be cheaper to replace them all.
 
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kgilfilen

Member
Re: smoke alarm interconnections

Good point Jim, especially since I just discovered the house has one alarm per floor. The time to rewire them would be 15 minutes each, to total 45 minutes (okay, probably less than 30) and the cost of Firex at Home Depot is $11 each. The cost of wiring the new ones is already figured into a different budget.

The cost of going to the supply house for the Fyrnetics alarms would be one hour and 15 minutes, plus a price of probably $18 each. They are (the house is) 12 years old.
 
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wire nut

Member
Re: smoke alarm interconnections

If I'm not mistaken, it is SUGEESTED to replace smokes every ten years. As already mentioned, the house was built in 1991 but no mention how old the smokes are. I would bet they are near their life expectancy so if the cost for all new smokes is about $100, the customer should understand the need to replace all the smokes with the same brand as the new smokes without whinning as most customers do.

John
New Jersey
 
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Guest

Guest
Re: smoke alarm interconnections

I noticed some CO detectors now have field replaceable sensor modules. The module is cheaper than buying a whole new unit. Do the newer smokes offer this replaceable module feature? My knowledge is dated, dusty, and rusty and I welcome any tips on what's new or in the pipeline. A six-pack of AC/DC smokes is in the $70 range these days. Or, you can buy them for <$15 each.

../Wayne C.

[ September 16, 2003, 07:24 PM: Message edited by: awwt ]
 
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