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COMMENT ON REPLACING SMOKE DETECTORS FROM APRIL 26, 2016 ARTICLE
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Ken,
    I would like to reiterate that your forum is invaluable for our industry!
    We also used to connect 110VAC smokes incorporating a relay output to trip the electrician installed smoke detectors.  We only did this in residential applications when specifically requested to. However, upon reading the smoke detector manufacturers literature that states the relay is not intended to signal an alarm system but instead to turn on exit lights, etc. We now refuse to use them.
Randy S. Larkam, President
AE Security
Calgary, Ab. 
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COMMENT ON COMBO BURG AND FIRE PANEL FROM APRIL 26, 2016 ARTICLE
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Ken
    If you intend on using a combo burg fire panel you must include all burglar devices in the battery load calculations unless you have a separate power supply for burglar devices, including keypads.
Leo Weiss, VP Sales
Eagle Security Systems
Chico, CA
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Ken
    You cannot use the same detector relay for alarm monitoring as suggested. You cannot monitor the integrity of the 9 volt battery in the detector and, you cannot get a trouble signal if the smoke head is removed. One major manufacturer that provides the auxiliary relays for their 120VAC smoke detectors even specifically states that this relay cannot be used for alarm monitoring service. Don't do it and do not connect to any system wired in that fashion. Install your own low voltage smoke heads (wired or wireless) so they can be supervised.  
Ron Baumann
ProAlert Security Systems, LLC
Cincinnati, Ohio
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Ken,
    Regarding the April 26, 2016 newsletter and fire alarms:
    In the less regulated residential settings where we can have fire detection on intrusion panels I advise against tying in the electrician-installed smoke detectors to a monitored account.  This is because those detectors tend to be less discriminating when it comes to detecting fires.  In our rural area fire departments are mostly made up of volunteers and they tend to charge a minimum of $500.00 for any dispatch.  I believe that that is justifiable.  Our customers usually do not.  It's a bargain if your home is on fire, but it makes burnt toast very expensive.
    Smoke detectors for security systems use optical detectors which are great for detecting smoldering fires, while many of the electrician-installed and homeowner-installed detectors use ionization, which is better at detecting flash fires and cooking disasters, but also tend to go off when not desired or needed.
    The point I am trying to make is not based on code, but practicality.  You can use a relay to tie electrician-installed smoke detectors into an intrusion system and you can even get wireless devices that sense the sound of a smoke detector siren and trigger a fire alarm on the intrusion panel, but the customer will instantly lose any savings from doing it this way on the first dispatch.
Chris Allen
Arvig Communications
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Ken
    With regard to the reader that asked about adding a relay to a smoke detector to report an alarm.
    Be VERY CAREFUL.  First of all BUY A COPY of the NFPA 72 Fire alarm and signaling standards and code. If your state is IBC then buy the International Fire Code or appropriate standards for your jurisdiction.
    With regard to LISTING. Each manufacturer of fire initiation devices has their equipment sent through exhaustive and expensive testing through a RTL (Recognized Testing Laboratory).  UL is no longer the only player in the game.  You want to be sure that the equipment you install is LISTED or accepted as meeting all of the requirements that the RTL has placed on the manufacturer.  Hence the quote, "The equipment must be LISTED FOR THE PURPOSE for which it is installed."
    Do not expect an AHJ to do your research. Before you "play with fire" make sure you have all the game pieces. (Codes, Standards and TRAINING.)
    From under the bus,
Joel Kent
FBN