UL 985: Standard for Household Fire Warning Systems

Dear SimpliSafe Community,

I'm Sergio Vergara, a certified Fire Code Inspector and Fire & Life Safety Educator, as well as a devoted SimpliSafe user since 2019. I appreciate the convenience and functionality of the SimpliSafe system for simple security needs. However, an important concern warrants our attention: the SimpliSafe smoke detectors and combination Smoke/CO Detectors.

I cannot overstate this enough: SimpliSafe's system is not designed nor approved as a standalone Fire Warning System. Contractors and homeowners, therefore, should not opt for these detectors in lieu of traditional smoke alarms. Let me clarify why.

The terms 'smoke alarm' and 'smoke detector' are often used interchangeably, but they denote two different products. A fire alarm system consists of three main components: an initiation appliance (detects hazards), a notification appliance (alerts occupants of a hazard), and a control device (coordinates the system, like the brains of the operation). All of these work cohesively via the Fire Alarm Control Panel (FACP), which monitors the devices' functionality and presence.

Contrarily, a smoke alarm is a standalone device combining all three functions: it detects smoke, sounds an alarm upon detection, and has an internal control unit.

The SimpliSafe detectors are indeed detectors intended to operate within a broader system. They can be considered as components of a Household Fire Warning System Unit. Is this necessarily bad? No, but there's a significant distinction we need to understand.

The 2021 International Residential Code mandates the installation of smoke alarms in specific places within homes. An exception allows for the installation of a Fire Alarm system instead of traditional smoke alarms, particularly beneficial for large homes or those who prefer professional monitoring of their Fire Safety Devices (as traditional smoke alarms are not permitted to be monitored). However, Fire Alarm Systems must meet specific requirements for safety and reliability - that's where the SimpliSafe issue surfaces.

For instance, the 2021 International Residential Code (IRC) requires Fire Alarm Systems to be permanently installed in buildings to prevent removal. However, SimpliSafe markets its system as moveable, even offering moving services.

More critically, the system's reliability is questionable. While the Smoke Detector and Combination Smoke/CO detector have necessary certifications (UL 268 - Smoke Detector, UL 2075 - Gas & Vapor Detectors), the Base Station, serving as the Fire Alarm Control Panel, lacks the UL 985 - Household Fire Warning Systems certification.

This certification, independently tested, guarantees the device meets industry standards. Without it, we cannot be assured the system will perform reliably when most needed. Furthermore, Fire Code Officials would not permit SimpliSafe to be installed in new construction or renovations as a stand-alone Fire Warning System. 

Given these considerations, I advise against replacing traditional alarms with SimpliSafe's detectors. Even though SimpliSafe representatives have suggested that their detectors are meant to supplement existing fire warning systems, this statement does not currently feature on their product pages, leading to potential misunderstanding and risk.

My intent is not to disparage SimpliSafe but to shed light on a crucial safety concern that, if rectified, can only enhance SimpliSafe's standing as a reliable home security solution. I urge SimpliSafe to consider these matters seriously and encourage my fellow users to retain their traditional smoke alarms in conjunction with their SimpliSafe systems.

Best,

Sergio Vergara

Is there an update to this, is the Simplisafe fire/smoke alarm system listed with UL-985?