3 Things An ADT Smoke Detector Does That Yours Doesn’t
In the United States, the percentage of people who die from house fires is more than the number of people who die from other natural calamities. In most situations; the fire break happened in the middle of the night so that the people were unaware of the situation. Usually, when a fire breaks, people detect it by sensing the smell of smoke. If the fire breaks during the daytime, it is easy to sense and do something about it. But what if it breaks during the night and nobody is aware of it. The use of ADT smoke detector is crucial in such situations.
Here is a glance at the good and bad of using an ADT Smoke alarm system:
Pros
- Connected through a monitoring station and local fire department
- Mobile alerts directly to your phone or email
- Great peace of mind for trips and at night
- Higher quality equipment then standard OEM smoke detectors
- Does not only protect your loved ones but also your pets
Cons
- Monitoring fee
- Professional installation required typically
- Not compatible with most other security systems
- Lack of passcode security
What is an ADT smoke detector?
It is yet another innovative invention which is one of the highly used home security devices that senses smoke. The smoke usually can be an alarm of a nearby fire, and it is better if you can detect it early. A smoke detector senses smoke and alarms you with the help of a fire alarm system so that you get enough time to do what is required. Finally, smoke detectors usually come in a small disk shape and have two basic parts: a smoke sensor and an alarm system with a loud noise.
How does an ADT smoke detector work?
To study the working of ADT smoke detectors, you need to know about different types of smoke detectors. There are, mainly 2 types of detectors namely photoelectric and ionization smoke detectors. Photoelectric detectors make use of a photo beam detector, and when the light sensors in the detector get blocked by smoke, the alarm is triggered. Whereas the ionization detector is a less expensive version and it has an entirely different mechanism than the optical version. Ionization detectors use electric currents to trigger the alarm. When smoke blocks the current, the alarm gets triggered. Ionization detectors provide a better response to flaming fires, and photoelectric detectors provide a quick response to smoldering fires. Smoke detectors are really inexpensive considering the cost due to fire damage, so you can install both types of detectors in your home to ensure maximum safety.
The ADT burglar system can be armed in either “Away” or “Stay” mode and once you activate the mode; each zone gets the ability to recognize a violation of the already set preference. If the area is violated, the system soon dials the ADT monitoring service and transmits the message immediately through a telephone line. When the signal is received at ADT, the security system will wait to send another message if another zone is violated. If you want to enter the process, you can enter the code and turn off the device.
If you want to purchase a home security system from ADT, you can also opt for carbon monoxide detectors along with smoke detectors.
Installation and maintenance of ADT smoke detectors
Are easy to install, and they work with a different wireless protocol than your home Wi-Fi network. You cannot either use this network for your PC applications nor will ADT access your home Wi-Fi network. Or you can also get ADT’S security services for two systems with a single account at the same time. You can easily monitor one or more locations even when you are away from both locations with the same ADT login. The ADT security system is designed in such a way that it takes control of your telephone line whenever there is a fire alarm trigger to call the ADT customer service.
You need not disable the smoke detector installed in the kitchen while cooking even if a false alarm is triggered. Instead, you can let the smoke out of the window by opening it and can press the hush button present on your detector.
It is recommended to test your ADT smoke detector every month to ensure they are working perfectly. You must change the batteries at least once in a year depending on the type of detector you have. Make sure that you read the instruction manual clearly to find out the expiry date of batteries and the right time to change them. When the battery goes weak; the system will show you low battery alerts on the keyboard display so that you will know when it needs replacing. Also, it will be clearly mentioned in the manufacture’s manual when to replace the detectors. You can easily order replacement batteries directly from ADT by consulting the customer service team.
Where to install smoke detector?
The position of installation of the ADT smoke detector is equally important to increase the security of your home. For effective protection, it is recommended to install smoke detectors on every level of your house including the basement. As most home fires start at night, it is safe to install detectors both indoor and outdoor. The crucial areas where the fire is about to start are the kitchen and garages, so you should never leave out those areas. The best position to install smoke detectors is on the ceilings or somewhere near to the ceilings because the smoke has a normal tendency to rise quickly and it is easier to detect.
3 Things that this does that your standard smoke alarm doesn’t do:
Although there are many different smoke detectors to choose from, choosing one form of ADT can benefit you in many ways. Here are 3 things an ADT smoke detector does that yours doesn’t.
1. Help from ADT’s Customer Monitoring Centers in case of emergency
In the case of normal smoke detectors; it triggers the smoke alarm system and alerts you in the case of any fore break. But this product will alert you and ADT’s Customer Monitoring Center at the same time about the emergency that happened in your house. Once the alert reaches the customer center, you will receive a call from the center to verify the alarm, and they will inform the local fire department, and you get immediate help.
2. Ensures constant protection even in your absence
The ADT fire monitoring unit will ensure continued protection for your home even when you are out of town. Even if you are out of town, when the self-installed fire detector triggers an alarm, the customer service team will make sure that the required emergency response is provided.
3. Email and text notification
ADT gives you many monetary benefits including receiving notifications by email or a text messages in case of any emergency. If the ADT smoke sensor or carbon monoxide sensor triggers an alarm; the ADT team will send you a text message to your smartphone or as an email notifying the situation. Users will also have the facility to control the alarm systems remotely either from a smartphone or PC via the Internet.
It is beneficial for those who frequently travel or are not at home due to business, vacation, or other reasons.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does ADT replace smoke detectors when necessary?
That depends on the type of damage your smoke detector has encountered. ADT doesn’t have any clear statement regarding this on its website, so it probably depends on one situation to another. Logically speaking, ADT should quickly replace defective smoke detectors if they are in their warranty period. They might also possibly replace your smoke detector free of charge if you have an ongoing premium contract with them or if you have some sort of insurance for such a device. However, it’s highly unlikely that the company will replace a smoke detector that you’ve knowingly damaged through visible means.
How do I turn off my ADT smoke detector?
To disarm a smoke system, simply input your passcode and then hit the OFF button. You can also just unplug the smoke detector from the power source if you want to make it easier. However, we don’t recommend keeping it off for long, as you never know when a gas leak or a potential fire might start. Only disarm it when you’re cooking and you’re 100% sure that there’s no gas leakage or when you’re smoking a cigarette near the smoke detector. Otherwise, you should leave it on at all times.
Is a smoke alarm the same as a fire alarm?
No, but they are still connected. Literally. The smoke detector senses when there is smoke around and it then sends a trigger signal to the fire alarm so that people in the area will be alerted when there’s a fire nearby. Think of it as the fire alarm button, but instead of being manually pushed, it’s activated automatically whenever it detects smoke. Depending on how you see this system, you could say that a smoke alarm and a fire alarm are one and the same thing.
Will my ADT alarm system continue to function in a power outage?
Yes. The backup battery will turn on in the event of a power outage. It will keep your burglar alarm system operating for several hours. In case when your battery is running low, your ADT Monitoring Center will receive a low-battery alert to let you know.
Our Conclusion
Purchasing a monitored ADT smoke detector for improving your home security system will help you to keep your family safe from any kind of fire emergency whenever you are at home or out of the home. Some of the useful features of the smoke detector are 24/7 monitoring; quick response, fully personalized version for your house, emergency buttons, specific zone activation, and insurer discounts. It is also important to teach your children about basic fire safety principles and how to apply them in the case of emergencies. Make them aware of how to avoid fire and the measures to be taken in case of any fires.
ADT Contact Information
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(800) 716-3640
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Get yours by clicking here or calling 888-285-0760.
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William is a tech buff and former corporate security officer turned cybercrime analyst. Computers have few secrets left for him, but home security and alarm systems… Well, those have plenty of secrets for their users, which William is now uncovering and explaining. His articles on home security helped many people take the matter seriously, invest in highly performing systems, and avoid becoming victims of burglaries.
Ezekiel Onod says
Thankfully, I made up my mind to buy this ADT smoke detector. And I didn’t expect that this would happen in my house; fortunately, I am being notified when my ADT smoke detector detects smoke and sends a direct notification to the local fire department. I can’t imagine going home without anything the fire left me.
Cherry Gold says
Hi! To everyone who is looking for some informative pages that will help to disarm a smoke system, simply input your passcode and then hit the OFF button. You can also just unplug the smoke detector from the power source if you want to make it easier. That information I read this page because, one hot afternoon, my brother lit up his torch inside the kitchen and set my ADT smoke detector. That exact step is what I did the moment my ADT smoke detector started beeping. Gladly, I bumped into this page.
Tritom Ombao says
I really appreciate the people behind this useful ADT smoke detector. You really don’t know how many people will be saved because of this amazing gadget and this informative page. Night is the most quiet and tiring shift of the whole day, and many people take their break and gain their strength in the night. Some people will not notice what happens to their lives at night because it appears to be a time for relaxation. But with this amazing tool, the ADT smoke detector, I will not panic about what might happen to me and my kids when something is on fire.
Julia Fritz says
Indeed the smoke detector from ADT might make a difference for securing my home. I didn’t have an incident until now but it is always good to keep everything checked. Nice review by the way!
Michelle says
I really like that it alerts to your phone but I’m not excited about the monitor fee. I am trying to decide if it is worth it…
Alarm Reviews says
Any monitored smoke detector will carry a fee with it. If you’re not looking to pay just use the ones you have.
Danielle McAffree says
It’s much more peace of mind to me knowing the smoke detectors are also connected to the home security system. Most people don’t think about fire safety when getting one, glad ADT is on top of their game and has them readily available.
Bonnie says
If I forget to arm the system does the fire alrarm still work
Alarm Reviews says
Yes, great question. Your fire / smoke detectors are always on monitoring as long as your alarm system is online. Then if there is a fire and you don’t have the system armed it will still sound the alarm and notify you and the fire department. Similar to how security cameras and the control panel don’t turn off when the alarm system is ‘disarmed’.
Dennis says
Do ADT smoke detectors have a useful life cycle? When do they need to be replaced? Typical big box detectors need to be replaced every 10 years.
Patty says
So all in all, an ADT smoke detector (actual unit) is no different then what we already have installed. Do they use the same KIDDE brand? Theirs is just connected to the security system so if it does go off, the fire station is alerted whereas the one I have will only make noise. Thanks for the clarification post!
Ren says
Made in America?
Ellen says
I’m guessing the hush button to use while you are cooking would not make the alarm trigger the fire department for a span of time? My husband is a volunteer fireman and several times a year gets called out for “false alarms” from cooking at two different residents nearby. Not sure what brand of fire alarms they are using though. I’m guessing that the hush setting is only active for a space of time so you don’t forget to switch it back on?
Brad D. says
Thanks for this in depth article on ADT’s fire detectors. I’m a big fan of this, if you are going to have your home protected and monitored by ADT I definitely recommend getting a fire detector with them. This way your home is connected with the fire department and you have a much higher chance of them getting to your place and stopping the fire then if you are not home and come back to see it in pieces. There is no extra monthly fee, you may just pay extra for the smoke detectors depending how many you get.