I need to replace some existing hardwired smoke detectors and, obviously, I want to get smart ones. Upon searching I’m finding that basically all of the smart options are battery only. The few that are hardwired are $100+ each, like Nest Protect. Am I missing something? Why can I not find hardwired smart smoke detectors?
I want smart devices, but I’m nervous about putting smart features above the added safety of hardwired detectors.
Might be regulations? Depending on your location smoke detectors may require a battery to work autonomous. And even if your local regulations doesn’t require that it is quite typical manufactures going with the strictest regulations for their products so they can sell them world wide without modifying them for each market.
Why do you want smart?
Even with high end smoke detectors, like Nest, the “smart” bit is peripheral to the main business of sounding the alarm if there’s a fire. On mine there are three key sensors (smoke, CO and heat) and 11 “diagnostic” sensors, none of which has anything to do with actual smoke detection - the only way to test that is with real smoke (yes, I know you can get an aerosol from Amazon). I can’t even find a way to switch the alarm off through HA (although you can with the app).
The strictest regulations would be hardwired with battery backup. That’s what I’m looking for.
I’m thinking that, since a smart device typically interconnects wirelessly, and some batteries lasting 10 years, maybe they don’t see it as necessary.
Because when you have good properly wired hardwired detectors it’s easy to add a relay into the detection loop, most of the top companies offer a generic relay and the First Alert RM4 is a purpose built ZWave co/smoke relay for Northamerica markets. (what I will switch to when my nest protects die in about 5 years)
I dunno… Why do we need anything to be smart? I want notifications, I want automations, I want to see the battery levels. It would just be nice I guess.
Something like this might be what you need. It works with wired smoke detectors and relays the signal via z-wave
Not sure if hardwired solutions are a requirement for individuals.
I only know of regulations that is mandatory for business to be hard wired and have a direct (regulated) connection to the local fire department. Obviously some “smart” solutions that are wired typically don’t cover the later part… so it indeed looks like a nieche what you are looking for.
These are LIFE SAFETY devices first.
This is absolutely why. They’re life safety devices so anything that offers to alarm and be smart suddenly requires a ton of testing and certification. And honestly most companies can’t be bothered.
A relay/bridge however. Allows you to use any old generic properly wired smoke and it just works…
I liked the extra sensors in the nest but the fact you have to replace the unit every ten years and get another sensor heavy unit with extra certification costs…
Not worth it. I’ll put the occupancy sensor in the room and separate it from life safety.
They can be depending on your jurisdiction. They (hardwire) absolutely are in any new single family home in my local jurisdiction.
Hardwired, cross signaling, battery back up. One in every bedroom hallway and floor m
I use the First Alerts and have been extremely happy with them. Why do you need “smart” detectors? For me it’s because when I’m away I’ll know if one is going off and that will prompt action on my part - be it checking cameras to verify or calling the fire department while I’m away. In fact it’s the reason I have smart sensors of all kinds all over my house, to be notified when I’m not home because all the beeping of these devices will certainly alert me when I’m actually home and if they don’t then they all tie into my TTS system to start screaming at me in the middle of the night.
Smart isn’t always just a “toy”, sometimes it is actually better than the dumb alternative.
Buy regular First Alert/Kidde hardwired (I’d advise a battery back as well).
Then buy a relay that both of them sell and wire one side to the Smoke Detectors, and wire the other side of the relay up to a Z wave sensor switch.
Here is the one I used: Ecolink Z-Wave Plus Door/Window Sensor, Gen5 (homecontrols.com)
It, also, keeps my smoke/CO system independent from HA. If HA goes down my family is still safe.
However, since it does report status I have an automation setup which turns on all the lights in the house, unlocks all the doors, and starts the home security alarm as well(just in case 100db is not enought to wake everyone up), and I switch my outdoor LED programmable system to show the lights in red/blue to draw attention to the house.
The beauty of home automation systems and particularly Home Assistant, is that there are a dozen ways to get to a really excellent solution to nearly any problem you can come up with!
I use these:
https://www.cavius.com/wireless-mains-powered-smoke-alarm/
The integration to HA is through RTL_433 and you need a 868 RF device.
I only have it one-way towards HA, so HA gets alerts, but I can not interact with the alarms from HA.
The alarms rarely send updates though, so you might feel a bit in the dark with your alarms at times.
Pressing the test button for 7-10 seconds will initiate and update, but also alarm anybody in 200m radius regardless of thick walls and soundproofing. These alarms are no joke!
Do you have a ‘for idiots’ guide by any chance?
There is a thread about it here.
The use of rtl_433 with HA is documented in many different threads and there are different ways to integrate with it.
The trick is to get a receiver device that is reliable.
I am deaf when I don’t have my cochlear implant devices on, like when I’m sleeping. So I need a smart device. When HA gets an alert that the alarms detect smoke, my bedside lamp flashes red. Hopefully that will wake me up! Maybe I need to find a bed shaker too!
