1 Message
New code requirements for smoke detectors
SimpliSafe needs to make changes to smoke and carbon monoxide detector functions to meet new code requirements. One of these requirements is to have all detectors alarm when one detector detects smoke. Just found out first alert has a battery operated detector which communicates with all detectors and performs the alarming of all detectors wirelessly. This is a step in the right direction and we need SimpliSafe to provide the same capability for existing and new detectors. Just got my permit for an addition to my house and the local official is requiring me to upgrade my entire house to meet the new code requirements. Specifically, requiring 110v and hard wired interconnection to alarm all detectors with the sensing of one detector of smoke. In addition, the new code requires additional detectors to be installed (e.g. one in each bedroom, hallways and outside bathrooms, all levels etc.) My initial estimate is that for my current 4 bedroom and soon to be 3 bathroom home I will be required to install and additional 8 detectors, while only adding an additional bathroom to the home. Would like SimpliSafe to interface with code authorities to get their system to be an acceptable alternative to the current code required installations. It should be noted that first alert now has a smoke detector which wirelessly communicates with up to 17 other detectors to perform the alarm function on all detectors. We need SimpliSafe to help the community of clients to meet these new requirements. It will be good for us and them since they will be selling more smoke detectors than what they currently are doing.
emily_s
Community Admin
•
3.4K Messages
1 year ago
Hi @tquintenz,
Our Smoke Detector is intended to work in tandem with your existing fire safety devices, with the benefit of the device being connected to a 24/7 professional monitoring service. That being said, our engineers are always working on innovative solutions. We have submitted the suggestion of wired smoke detectors and alarm listeners to our dev team. If/when development is in progress for either of these features, an update will be provided in their respective thread.
1
9122mlwa
1 Message
10 months ago
It would be more robust to use the wired, interconnected smoke detectors and have a device, which listens for an alarm and transmits the single to Simply safe monitoring.
0
0
burtonrw
4 Messages
8 months ago
It's absolutely absurd that SimpliSafe markets these new combo detectors as "Next Generation Hazard Protection" when they don't meet code. Interconnected detectors have been required by code for DECADES pretty much everywhere.
Also, SS customer service reps need some serious training on smoke/co detector nomenclature. I've been told (via chat AND phone) that these are dual sensor units (they're not) - even after I explain I'm just asking about the smoke detector - whether it's dual sensor (photoelectric AND ionization) - I've still been told that "yes, they'll detect fire and CO".
SS has folks working customer service who Simpli don't have the requisite knowledge base to properly advise or assist customers.
I've been a SS customer for many years and I've never felt more inspired to call ADT.
EDIT: After being told by the live chat rep that they are NOT interconnected (once I explained to him what that means), I was told by a phone rep that yes, they ARE interconnected. I called back and followed the prompts to tech support for a tie breaker. I'm not certain she understands the terms either, but she told me (after checking with another "specialist") that they ARE interconnected. She specifically stated that if one detector is triggered, they will ALL sound. After asking me to stay on the line for another 5+ minutes, she emailed me a link to another discussion (Smoke/CO Alarm Interconnectability | Page 2 | SimpliSafe Support Home) where it is clear from very recent posts, that NO, the smoke/CO detectors are NOT interconnected.
So, not only does SS need to retrain their customer service reps, they might also consider producing a product that meets code AND not trying to blatantly deceive their customers about it.
(edited)
0
jjalles
4 Messages
6 months ago
+1, to include '8th generation ionization detectors' to meet 2024 NFPA standards.
0
nolanderer
4 Messages
2 months ago
I have the same issue
0
galfaqih
1 Message
25 days ago
I have the same issue and agree the devices should provide the same features as hardwired devices (which these should be capable of).
0
0
kbsilver05
1 Message
11 days ago
I just contacted SimpliSafe on this exact issue. I was told they are aware of the issue. I asked if they are aware they are losing sales because they are not addressing the issue. I also think they should sell a modified version of an entry sensor with terminals to allow connection to a hardwire device. Kidde makes an interface module that allows connection of their smoke detectors to external systems. I could modify an entry sensor myself for this purpose but it would alert as entry, not fire.
0
0