Fire alarm in a separate building...

Notgrownup · Jan 10, 2015

What are reasonably priced suggestions to get a fire signal from my new shop to my house?
I will be running conduit for power so I will have a trench dug ....just trying to see if can run some extra cables fir this signal.

n8n · Jan 10, 2015

What are you using for detection and reporting? I've got a couple ideas but what will work depends on what you already have/are planning on using. Also, is this voluntary or are you required by code to install detection?

Probably should PM me if you get too serious about this as I'm about to accept a job in the field and don't want to be giving advice on a public forum. And of course we never had this conversation.

Norcal · Jan 10, 2015

Fire alarms are the domain of security/fire alarm contractors, not a DIY project.

Showkey · Jan 10, 2015

These guys claim a 400 ft wireless range. Friends and my daughter use their service as an alternative to alarm service companies. It is DIY kit........they seem to be happy and confident in the system.

Having a full service alarm company is NOT a guarantee of a trouble free system........just my experience both at home and work........high cost, false alarms and poor service are common in the industry.

http://simplisafe.com/home-security-system-master

Notgrownup · Jan 10, 2015

I just want a fire/ smoke alarm that I can hear in my house 75 feet away...I have electric with battery backup Kidde brand smoke alarm in the house, just the ones from Lowes... Not required by code but it will be a workshop with wood working.....

Stuart in MN · Jan 10, 2015

If you already have a security system in your house it's pretty simple to add another input from the garage. Typically, rate-of-rise temp sensors are used in a garage instead of smoke detectors, which can be fooled by car exhaust, or dust from working on projects out there. The rate-of-rise temp sensors have a simple set of switch contacts that close if a fire is detected, so even if you don't have a security system in the house it should be easy enough to use the switch contacts to light an alarm light or sound a buzzer or something similar.

wyliesdiesels · Jan 10, 2015

If u have smoke detectors with the third/signal wire, then u could run a wire in a separate conduit in the trench that ties the house alarm to the shop alarm..

Notgrownup · Jan 10, 2015

I don't have an alarm system... Only smoke alarms, I want to clarify.

rockwithjason · Jan 10, 2015

wyliesdiesels said:
If u have smoke detectors with the third/signal wire, then u could run a wire in a separate conduit in the trench that ties the house alarm to the shop alarm..

this would be a simple solution

Notgrownup · Jan 10, 2015

wyliesdiesels said:
If u have smoke detectors with the third/signal wire, then u could run a wire in a separate conduit in the trench that ties the house alarm to the shop alarm..

I will look into this....

amolaver · Jan 11, 2015

Thinking a little outside the box.. what about a baby monitor? My wireless one covers 200' and through my metal building from the far side of the house. Put the 'baby' side in the building and the monitor in the house..

ahm

wyliesdiesels · Jan 19, 2015

Notgrownup said:
I will look into this....

The interconnect wire is usually orange or red...

Are the smoke alarms that u currently have interconnected or just AC powered?

Notgrownup · Jan 19, 2015

They are just like those.

slip knot · Jan 19, 2015

I dont know how long a smoke detector would last in a woodworking shop. My smokes get a little dusty and they start going off.

Hpozzuoli · Jan 19, 2015

I just had to hard wire and "interconnect" all my smoke/carbon detectors so I could sell my home. Very easy to do.

Having a system that reports and is monitored is another beast. My laundromats are tied to the buildings and central monitoring. Only fire alarm electricians are supposed to touch them.

plow · Jan 19, 2015

Showkey said:
These guys claim a 400 ft wireless range. Friends and my daughter use their service as an alternative to alarm service companies. It is DIY kit........they seem to be happy and confident in the system.

Having a full service alarm company is NOT a guarantee of a trouble free system........just my experience both at home and work........high cost, false alarms and poor service are common in the industry.

http://simplisafe.com/home-security-system-master

Not in my area. We (I) take pride in the work that I install, service and inspect. Been doing Fire Protection for 22 years. I haven't lasted this long by installing ****, lying and cheating customers. You get what you pay for. If you're a cheap sob and don't give a **** about anything but a "pass", stay with your current company.
False alarms are more than likely due to ****** installation and or equipment. Again, you get what you pay for. I followed the link you posted and the equipment appears to be trash. In the Life Safety business, We have minimum standards that the manufacturer has to comply with.....An Good House Keeping aint one of them.

Do me and my industry a favor an educate yourself before you offer up that **** equipment and then blame people like me, or the rest of the industry that your DIY **** doesn't work. :thumbup:

plow · Jan 19, 2015

slip knot said:
I dont know how long a smoke detector would last in a woodworking shop. My smokes get a little dusty and they start going off.

Smokes in a "wood working" shop are improper application of that device. Heat detectors should be used.

Beemer533 · Jan 20, 2015

You could look at something like the Nest alarms; as long as you have wireless network connection from you home network in your shop you are good to go..

Just install one in the shop and one in the house... Or even just one in the shop will alert you on your phone...

They aren't cheap, but I have a couple friends that use them with no issues. If you get the hardwired one they even have a night light option...

lakeroadster · Jan 20, 2015

plow said:
Smokes in a "wood working" shop are improper application of that device. Heat detectors should be used.

Good advice based on my experiences. Smokes in any shop are pretty much useless. Dust particles and spiders / insects can set off false alarms.... and it always seems to happen when you are on vacation.

Go with heat detectors.

If at all possible go with a hard wired system, not wireless. When I built my shop I ran some extra telephone cable along with the wiring for power. My alarm folks used one of the telephone cables for the alarms.

plow · Jan 21, 2015

Showkey, I would like to apologize for coming off as harsh. Bad day on my part.

Notgrownup · Jan 22, 2015

Met with an alarm guy yesterday and the monitoring isn't bad but the installation is crazy....he is going to give me a quote today but said it would be in the neighbourhood of 1500 bux...bit steep .."..I have good insurance for now....

n8n · Jan 22, 2015

If you know people in the business you could just get the most basic of basic systems installed & then add detection, door contacts, glass breaks, motions, etc. Yourself...

Sent from my XT897 using Tapatalk

wyliesdiesels · Jan 24, 2015

Notgrownup said:
Met with an alarm guy yesterday and the monitoring isn't bad but the installation is crazy....he is going to give me a quote today but said it would be in the neighbourhood of 1500 bux...bit steep .."..I have good insurance for now....

Install it yourself!!

Notgrownup · Jan 24, 2015

I was wondering about that... If I can get the components.

Fire alarm in a separate building...

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