wifi smoke alarms

[difowler44]

I read if they are nfpa approved, then they are code compliant. The ones on amazon didn't list them as nfpa approved. Should the box or the smoke alarm be marked like a UL rating? texas

 

[gadfly56]

I read if they are nfpa approved, then they are code compliant. The ones on amazon didn't list them as nfpa approved. Should the box or the smoke alarm be marked like a UL rating? texas

NFPA doesn't approve equipment. The most they do is require that it be "listed for the purpose". You'd be looking for a UL or other NRTL listing.

"Look for, the UL label..."

 

[Dennis Alwon]

From what I understand, these units are basically the same as the others except they have wi-fi available.

 

[rafaelrobertson]

With new legislation in Scotland coming in shortly I was wondering what's people preferred maker of 10-year lithium battery smoke and heat detectors.

 

[Fred B]

Around here building code controls placement and type, NEC simply the wiring. When rewire or new construction a hard wired Smoke and CO is required along with wired interconnect. Wifi is optional addition but not to substitute for the wired interconnection. Replacement of just the devices not including a rewire of the space the HO can install whatever WIFI or not. Generally would recommend to HO the WIFI option when replacing the smokes on an existing installation particularly into the bedrooms. Also gave done this for landlords, giving them the ability to know if a property is at risk, because it will notify via a cell phone app.

 

[curt swartz]

Around here building code controls placement and type, NEC simply the wiring. When rewire or new construction a hard wired Smoke and CO is required along with wired interconnect. Wifi is optional addition but not to substitute for the wired interconnection. Replacement of just the devices not including a rewire of the space the HO can install whatever WIFI or not. Generally would recommend to HO the WIFI option when replacing the smokes on an existing installation particularly into the bedrooms. Also gave done this for landlords, giving them the ability to know if a property is at risk, because it will notify via a cell phone app.

Can you provide a link that states the interconnect must be wired?

 

[curt swartz]

Also wanted to state.......
The wireless interconnect is not through your homes WiFi. The smoke alarms communicate through their own wireless network.

 

[gadfly56]

Can you provide a link that states the interconnect must be wired?

That is only for wired devices. Here in NJ, that's new construction and renovations/additions that create spaces that would be subject to smoke alarm coverage. My parents' home was constructed in 1960 and would not require anything other that single station smoke/CO alarms.

 

[rafaelrobertson]

Around here building code controls placement and type, NEC simply the wiring. When rewire or new construction a hard wired Smoke and CO is required along with wired interconnect. Wifi is optional addition but not to substitute for the wired interconnection. Replacement of just the devices not including a rewire of the space the HO can install whatever WIFI or not. Generally would recommend to HO the WIFI option when replacing the smokes on an existing installation particularly into the bedrooms. Also gave done this for landlords, giving them the ability to know if a property is at risk, because it will notify via a cell phone app.

thank you so much for your suggestion

 

[curt swartz]

That is only for wired devices. Here in NJ, that's new construction and renovations/additions that create spaces that would be subject to smoke alarm coverage. My parents' home was constructed in 1960 and would not require anything other that single station smoke/CO alarms.

Even if hard wired devices are required the interconnect is allowed to be wireless unless your area has some state/local amendment against it.

I believe Google/Nest has an FAQ that states they are not aware of anywhere that requires the interconnect to be wired.

 

[gene6]

All wireless alarms that I know of are vulnerable to jamming and replay attacks, from up to 250 yards away, not that most people care though. Your house could be up in flames and your hacked/jammed alarm system at best would only be sending you a connection loss message. It can be done with as little as $2 wireless dongle.

 

[retirede]

All wireless alarms that I know of are vulnerable to jamming and replay attacks, from up to 250 yards away, not that most people care though. Your house could be up in flames and your hacked/jammed alarm system at best would only be sending you a connection loss message. It can be done with as little as $2 wireless dongle.

All wireless networks are subject to being hacked.
The risk assessment includes:
1) Degree of difficulty - in this case, not difficult.
2) Motivation, what does the hacker stand to gain - in this case, zero.
3) Likelihood of damage inflicted - in this case, the hack would need to coincide with a fire event to be of any consequence. Odds of this happening, virtually zero. Unless the hacker is also the arsonist, in that case, you have much bigger problems.

My conclusion: risk of network intrusion would not influence my decision whether or not to use these.

 

[gadfly56]

All wireless networks are subject to being hacked.
The risk assessment includes:
1) Degree of difficulty - in this case, not difficult.
2) Motivation, what does the hacker stand to gain - in this case, zero.
3) Likelihood of damage inflicted - in this case, the hack would need to coincide with a fire event to be of any consequence. Odds of this happening, virtually zero. Unless the hacker is also the arsonist, in that case, you have much bigger problems.

My conclusion: risk of network intrusion would not influence my decision whether or not to use these.

The hack needn't be coordinated to do anything, just keep your equipment from doing what it is supposed to. If the fire is in your basement, you might or might not hear that remote sounder elsewhere in the house, but good odds are you won't hear it at all at night.

 

[gene6]

The risk assessment includes:

2) Motivation, what does the hacker stand to gain - in this case, zero.

You need more imagination, say the homeowner is known to have something of value in the home, perhaps a safe, laptop, jewelry or even something as simple as a cell phone, a hacked wireless alarm/HVAC system can be used as a 'pivot' for the real attack.
False alarm might get the person out of the house unarmed and confused, or just be used as a confirmation they are not home.
Hacked alarm systems can be operated in reverse to not only not function but tell the attacker (or surveillance van) what room of the house your in etc.
Like I said in any case you need to be a target of value, but perhaps not as much as you might think.

 

[gadfly56]

You need more imagination, say the homeowner is known to have something of value in the home, perhaps a safe, laptop, jewelry or even something as simple as a cell phone, a hacked wireless alarm/HVAC system can be used as a 'pivot' for the real attack.
False alarm might get the person out of the house unarmed and confused, or just be used as a confirmation they are not home.
Hacked alarm systems can be operated in reverse to not only not function but tell the attacker (or surveillance van) what room of the house your in etc.
Like I said in any case you need to be a target of value, but perhaps not as much as you might think.

Let us not discount simple malice as a motive.

 

[Tainted]

Not sure if this applies to smoke alarms but I know that if you want wireless smoke detectors it must go through
"Certificate of Approval" application for NYC projects. Maybe your area has something similar?

 

[gadfly56]

Not sure if this applies to smoke alarms but I know that if you want wireless smoke detectors it must go through
"Certificate of Approval" application for NYC projects. Maybe your area has something similar?

This is not a per project application. It's for the manufacturer of the equipment. This is the process that replaced the old MEA certification.

 

[GoldDigger]

Even if hard wired devices are required the interconnect is allowed to be wireless unless your area has some state/local amendment against it.

I believe Google/Nest has an FAQ that states they are not aware of anywhere that requires the interconnect to be wired.

I do not think that typical Google Home equipment is fully functional without a working Internet connection via an AP.