What to Know About Interconnected Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

You're serious about keeping your family safe, and fire and carbon monoxide alarms are an essential part of home safety. When it comes to these mounted alert devices, there's no need to double up, and batteries aren't necessarily required. Several types are available, and you can have them interconnected for increased safety.

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Interconnected smoke and CO alarms set off all the units in your home if one detects a problem. Joint units include both types of alerts in a single detector, and wired alarms connect directly to your home electricity.

Can a Carbon Monoxide Detector Be Combined With a Smoke Detector?

Dual-purpose fire and carbon monoxide alarms contain components that detect both smoke and high levels of CO. Some models detect heat levels instead of smoke. A multipurpose CO and fire alarm can link with other alarms in your home to create comprehensive coverage.

You may not need multipurpose CO and fire alarms in every room. Some spaces may be better suited for a specific single-purpose detector. With interlinked alarms, you can set up a system that puts the right kind of protection in each room of your home.

How Do Interconnected Smoke and/or Carbon Monoxide Detectors Work?

Interconnected smoke and CO alarms are linked via wires or a wireless signal, so all the alarms go off if any single alarm is activated. This kind of connectivity is especially useful in larger homes where you might not hear an alarm going off across the house.

Having a whole-house alert system lets you respond to danger more quickly, getting people and pets out of the home or tackling a small kitchen fire with an extinguisher before it gets out of control. Some models also provide a voice alert to let you know the type of fire detected and the exact location.

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How Do I Make My Smoke Detectors Interconnected?

There are a few ways to make smoke detectors interconnected. An electrician can hardwire each unit directly to your electrical system and connect them using an extra wire. Most hardwired smoke alarms include a battery backup in case the power goes out.

You can also buy battery-powered or hardwired alarms that include wireless connectivity. Some battery-powered smoke alarms use standard replaceable batteries, while sealed units have a 10-year battery inside. These units use a transmitter to link to each other. Smoke alarms and CO alarms from the same company may link together.

Choosing Interconnected Smoke and CO Alarms

When picking a smoke or CO alarm, consider the location of each device. Fire alarms should be placed on the ceiling or high up on a wall because smoke rises. CO detectors should be located on a wall about 5 feet from the ground, and there should be one outside each bedroom and in your cooking area and garage. A combination smoke and CO alarm can be placed on a wall at least 6 inches below the ceiling.

The two types of smoke detectors are photoelectric and ionization. Ionization alarms use radioactive material to ionize air molecules and create an electrical current. If smoke disrupts this current, the alarm is triggered. Photoelectric smoke alarms use a photosensitive cell to detect light changes when smoke enters the chamber. Generally, photoelectric alarms are better at detecting smoldering flames, and ionization alarms are better at detecting larger fires. Dual-sensor models include both types of sensors and can detect any kind of fire.

Another optional feature available on some smoke alarms is remote monitoring. These models let you monitor your home from a phone or computer, alerting you about potential fires even when you're not home.