‎Smoke/CO Alarm Interconnectability | SimpliSafe Support Home
 
ajkuchar's profile

Wednesday, February 22nd, 2023 3:51 PM

5

Smoke/CO Alarm Interconnectability

The Problem: When a smoke or CO alarm head goes into the alarm state, it will sound its internal alarm, and alert the base station. This sets the base station off, and starts the process with SimpliSafe Monitoring. However, it does not alert any other heads in the home. This creates major problems when you have a multi-story home, and are sleeping with your door closed (yes, you should be doing this). I have had alarm activations previously, and was awoken by the phone call from SimpliSafe Monitoring, because the alarm that was activated and the base station were downstairs. 

Proposed Solution: I am asking Simply safe to rewrite some code so that when the Base Station receives a Smoke or CO alarm activation, it forces all other Smoke/CO heads in the home to activate and alert. This will improve life safety/property conservation efforts, as the occupants will be notified faster. This will mean that no matter where you are, or sleep, where your base station is, and most importantly, where the activated head is, you will know immediately if one is going off.

Who Am I/Relevance: I have Bachelors Degree in Electrical Engineering, and work as a Professional FireFighter / Paramedic. I use SimpliSafe to protect me and my home. The relevance is that this is both a faster alert for nuisance alarms, and for life safety. Modern homes have 2-3 minutes before "Flashover", patients who do not escape a home before this point, usually become victims. The first notification in a home with Smoke/CO alarms located throughout should not be from the monitoring center phone call. The NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) recommends that homes have connected Smoke/CO alarms as I am asking here. "Smoke alarms should be interconnected. When one sounds, they all sound. " -NFPA.org

This ultimately seems like a simple code update, and has a potentially large life saving factor driving this. 

Thank you for your time, I hope this can be implemented. 

Thank you,

Austin

Community Admin

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3.4K Messages

2 years ago

Hi @ajkuchar, 

Thank you for this suggestion! I will pass it along to our dev team.

3 Messages

@emily_s​ 

Hi Emily,

This is a great suggestion by Austin. Wondering if your development team has had a chance to review and if so how long something like this feature would take to develop and push an update to base stations?

This would be a huge safety feature

Thank you

Brendan

Community Admin

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3.4K Messages

Hi @Bth579,

I agree, this would be a great feature. I can confirm with you that our dev team has seen this request, but I don't have any timeline on when an update like this would be available. Once we get any word from them about it, an update will be provided in this thread.

3 Messages

Thank you

2 Messages

I just hopped on Simplisafe (best system on the market by far) to see if there was a way to interconnect my detectors.  In my opinion, this is going to be the standard by state law in most states before the sale of your house and these types of detectors that interlink are available at big box stores so outside of the obvious increase in safety you have to think about the competition.  I just replaced six 10 year old first alert non interlinked  with simplisafe so not to have 2 systems to deal with but thought long and hard about them not being interlinked and it continues to gnaw at me.  Please put this at the top for development and hopefully without having to replace the current detectors if possible.  Thank You, Hugh, Vermont

7 Messages

@emily_s​ Any update on this? 3 months seems like a long time to get a software update for this important feature. I was ready to purchase 3 of these but now I'm on hold.

Thanks

1 Message

2 years ago

Yes, just learned this evening after false alarm in our youngest child’s bedroom upstairs.  Humidifier set off alarm and we had all just fallen asleep.  I heard alarm and jumped out of bed to run upstairs.  Fortunately it was a false alarm.  The other kids bedrooms were never set off by the one.  Very scary to think about that happening and it was a valid alarm and our other 3 kids rooms would never been triggered.  Our house is very sound proof.  I always assumed when one would go off the others would be set off as standard process to alert all rooms.  I’ve been a long time customer and was shocked to learn this isn’t the case.  I really hope this can be fixed.  It is now very concerning for us after the experience we just had.  I would assume most customers have no idea how this works and assume like us they would all go off.  I strongly encourage the tech team to figure this out as last poster mentioned.  

20 Messages

@blakehornsby​ What a bunch of BS !! The "Siren Alarms" that SimpliSafe already sells has the "chip" or circuit board already inside itself and the siren alarms (essentially repeaters) already have this function and do this.... Therefore, SimpliSafe already has the "chip" technology to make all of their smoke and CO alarms to do this already.  Just put that chip into your existing smoke and CO alarms now!!!   Stop trying to BS all of your customers!!

5 Messages

2 years ago

My town requires wireless smoke detectors to be interconnected (as an alternative to hardwiring for older houses). I thought Simplisafe met this requirement, but this post leads me to believe it does not. I just bought 10 smoke alarms from you and think they will all have to go back.

For me, this would have been a deal-breaker for buying your system if I had realized earlier. Frustrating, because everything else has been really great.

20 Messages

@jebeje​ What a bunch of BS !! The "Siren Alarms" that SimpliSafe already sells has the "chip" or circuit board already inside itself and the siren alarms (essentially repeaters) already have this function and do this.... Therefore, SimpliSafe already has the "chip" technology to make all of their smoke and CO alarms to do this already.  Just put that chip into your existing smoke and CO alarms now!!!   Stop trying to BS all of your customers!!

1 Message

2 years ago

I'm really surprised to learn that they aren't interconnected. This is a huge liability and violation of many county codes. This should be top of Simplisafes development priority.

20 Messages

@GaveDrohl​ What a bunch of BS !! The "Siren Alarms" that SimpliSafe already sells has the "chip" or circuit board already inside itself and the siren alarms (essentially repeaters) already have this function and do this.... Therefore, SimpliSafe already has the "chip" technology to make all of their smoke and CO alarms to do this already.  Just put that chip into your existing smoke and CO alarms now!!!   Stop trying to BS all of your customers!!

7 Messages

2 years ago

I agree these need to be interconnected. This is one of the questions my Insurance company asked for my Homeowners coverage. Should be a simple software code update.

20 Messages

@RHB​ What a bunch of BS !! The "Siren Alarms" that SimpliSafe already sells has the "chip" or circuit board already inside itself and the siren alarms (essentially repeaters) already have this function and do this.... Therefore, SimpliSafe already has the "chip" technology to make all of their smoke and CO alarms to do this already.  Just put that chip into your existing smoke and CO alarms now!!!   Stop trying to BS all of your customers!!

1 Message

1 year ago

I just have to return 6 smoke detectors as my county requires interconnected smoke detectors. This is a big miss. Please fix this. 

20 Messages

@Aro​ What a bunch of BS !! The "Siren Alarms" that SimpliSafe already sells has the "chip" or circuit board already inside itself and the siren alarms (essentially repeaters) already have this function and do this.... Therefore, SimpliSafe already has the "chip" technology to make all of their smoke and CO alarms to do this already.  Just put that chip into your existing smoke and CO alarms now!!!   Stop trying to BS all of your customers!!

20 Messages

1 year ago

On SimpliSafe's website, they state their GEN3 smoke detectors are interconnected and one alarm on one detector will cause all alarms to activate on all GEN3 smoke detectors.....

WELL... this is BS... I checked my GEN3 smoke detectors from Simplisafe and there is no interconnnectivity amongst the GEN3 smoke detectors as SimpliSafe claims.  

They sell a SIREN for $60 that will activate when the base station emits an alarm. The exact same chips/software in the alarm should be inside their GEN3 smoke detectors.

SIMPLISAFE is going to be liable for lots of dead children for their false and misleading statements about this.  When they claim they have interconnectivity amongst GEN3 smoke detectors, but in fact that is not true.... customers have relied upon SimpliSafe's claims.....  This leads to dead children.....

  

Community Admin

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5.7K Messages

@tdsedneywe sincerely understand where you’re coming from, and we appreciate your passion. We feel the same way about protecting our customers!

Our system is designed to meet industry standards for fire safety, specifically UL-985 for fire safety warning systems. When one Smoke, CO, or 2-in-1 Smoke & CO Detector is triggered, the Base Station itself will also sound a siren, and so will any Wireless Sirens that are attached to the system. And let’s not forget the app notifications and the call from the Monitoring Service (for those with a Monitoring Subscription). SimpliSafe’s approach is to build a system that works together to keep your family safe.

20 Messages

@davey_d​ What a bunch of BS !! The "Siren Alarms" that SimpliSafe already sells has the "chip" or circuit board already inside itself and the siren alarms (essentially repeaters) already have this function and do this.... Therefore, SimpliSafe already has the "chip" technology to make all of their smoke and CO alarms to do this already.  Just put that chip into your existing smoke and CO alarms now!!!   Stop trying to BS all of your customers!!

742 Messages

@davey_d​ 

The language in the FAQ on the combination smoke/CO detector is problematic and you all should change it. ASAP. It reads:

Q. If the Smoke & CO Detector siren is going off, will my other SimpliSafe sirens sound as well?


A. Yes, SimpliSafe Gen 3 products with sirens are interconnected meaning that your Base Station and other sirens such as your SimpliSafe Outdoor Camera or Extra Siren will sound in unison when there’s an emergency.

This language reallllly suggests that your other detectors will also go off (after all, they have sirens in them, yes?) and it clearly says they're interconnected which I think virtually everyone would agree means if one goes off, they all go off. (Behavior which many of us have become accustomed to in existing wired systems.) Sure, it doesn't explicitly say that's what will happen but it also doesn't explicitly state that it won't happen. (And again, the added confusion due to the use of language such as "interconnected")

There is no good reason for the language in that answer to be that ambiguous and misleading. Please have someone fix that ASAP.

2 Messages

1 year ago

Still waiting for SimpliSafe to drop an update that would force the other alarms into an "alarm state" when one is triggered...this is a life safety hazard.


Still waiting....

Thanks

20 Messages

@ajkuchar​ What a bunch of BS !! The "Siren Alarms" that SimpliSafe already sells has the "chip" or circuit board already inside itself and the siren alarms (essentially repeaters) already have this function and do this.... Therefore, SimpliSafe already has the "chip" technology to make all of their smoke and CO alarms to do this already.  Just put that chip into your existing smoke and CO alarms now!!!   Stop trying to BS all of your customers!!

20 Messages

1 year ago

What a bunch of BS !! The "Siren Alarms" that SimpliSafe already sells has the "chip" or circuit board already inside itself and the siren alarms (essentially repeaters) already have this function and do this.... Therefore, SimpliSafe already has the "chip" technology to make all of their smoke and CO alarms to do this already.  Just put that chip into your existing smoke and CO alarms now!!!   Stop trying to BS all of your SimpliSafe customers!!

1 Message

1 year ago

I just failed my final building inspection because the smoke detectors are not interconnected. Building code clearly states this as a need. Very frustrating! Now I'm off to the big box store to buy Kiddie detectors. Seriously considering dropping SimpliSafe after all of this.

742 Messages

They really need to update the text on the product pages for the smoke detector and the smoke/co combo detector to explicitly state they are not linked. Currently the pages say:

"Triggers siren in Base Station" (Smoke detector)

"Built-in internal siren and triggers the siren in the Base Station" (Smoke/CO) combo detector)

Which is better than nothing but it's not good enough, IMO.

5 Messages

1 year ago

Agree. Frustrating. Major weakness in an otherwise great system

1 year ago

Love my SimpliSafe system so far, but this is one glaring oversight.  Where I live, my city has adopted the 2018 International Fire Code which requires, among other things, that if one alarm activates, it is interconnected with and activates all other alarms in the residence.

I’m regretfully returning the 8 smoke/CO detectors I purchased and installing code-compliant models from a different manufacturer.

Please look into this, SimpliSafe.  You make some really great products.  It wouldn’t be too much effort to improve your smoke/CO detectors to bring them up to code.

31 Messages

@timothyanderson09​ I have 6 SS Smoke Detectors still in their original packaging and shipping box from Jan-2022.  I had intended to replace my Nest Detects with SS, to gain monitoring, and have a completely integrated solution.  By the time I got around to installing them and realized this significant problem, the return window had closed.  I won’t rely on non-interconnected smoke / fire detectors.  A remote alarm at the base station isn’t enough.  My Nests, which are older, are not only interconnected, but when they all go off, they tell me which detector detects smoke, e.g., “Warning, there is smoke in the kitchen,” so I know where to look.  Nest has been doing that for more than a decade.  It’s time to catch up, SimpliSafe.

1 Message

Agreed. It’s the only thing keeping us from replacing a whole house alarm system from ADT with Simplisafe.

2 Messages

11 months ago

SimpliSafe - I have purchased 15 smoke and CO Detectors, plus 8 cameras, water detectors, motion sensors, entry sensors, etc. I love this system. However, I too just failed my final building inspection to gain our certificate of occupancy because the smoke and CO detectors are not interconnected. I have had to buy other smoke and CO detectors and remove yours in order to pass inspection. This issue caused me to delay moving into our new home, by one week. There should be  questions asked by sales or clearly stated when buying your system that includes the Smoke and CO detectors.  I don't want to return and buy a new system. I am still within a 60 day window to return. Can you please tell me when you will have this interconnected feature working  to alert all detectors or will I need to repurchased these detectors or will simplisafe replace the ones I have bought at no cost?

I also wanted to let you know your customer service professionals have been excellent when I have needed to call in and ask questions. 

742 Messages

Can you please tell me when you will have this interconnected feature working  to alert all detectors or will I need to repurchased these detectors or will simplisafe replace the ones I have bought at no cost?

No, they can't. Or won't. Or both. SimpliSafe has a long history of refusing to give timelines for literally anything being worked on. (Check the history of this forum.) There are requests for functionality that are 5+ years old that they've acknowledged they're working on but still haven't implemented.

Will they implement the specific thing you're asking about? I can't say for sure. What I can say for sure is that if you need this functionality you shouldn't wait for SimpliSafe to implement it. (This is true of any vendor, really, but SimpliSafe has an especially bad track record with it, IMO.)

2 Messages

11 months ago

Austin - You clearly laid out the issue. Thank you. I too am experiencing issues with this and it is a major safety issue. Hopefully simply safe will fix this interconnectivity issue. I guess until then I will buy and install the siren.

3 Messages

11 months ago

Any update on this? I am a loyal simplisafe customer of 5 years now and am currently going through a renovation. Code in my state requires interconnection of the alarms and system so they all sound when triggered. I will be having a final inspection in the next few weeks and if this is not resolved then I may have to look into another system that will meet the code requirements. 

5 Messages

Agree - please share an urgent update on this, Simplisafe. 

742 Messages

@JBUSA2024​ 

I will be having a final inspection in the next few weeks and if this is not resolved

There is 0% percent chance this functionality will be rolled out in "the next few weeks". I'd start doing some research on what you're going to buy.

Also, what state are you in? A lot of states, in addition to the interlinked functionality, also require units that are hardwired for power with a battery back up. Further still, some states require that battery back up to be a non-replaceable battery that lasts for 10 years.

SimpliSafe's hardware lacks all three of these increasingly common features and the last post I made about it the response seemed to indicate they had zero plans to change anything at this time.

3 Messages

Fortunately for my code requirement's I can do a non-hardwired unit with 10 year replaceable batteries which some units offer. I knew functionality rolling out in a couple of weeks was seemingly not possible, but considering this thread was started almost a year ago now they have had plenty of time to resolve this issue, but are seemingly not willing to. Given the technology already used in simplisafe devices I am shocked this could not be developed and updated within weeks of the initial ask and need, not years.

Very disappointing coming from a company that preaches safety and security being paramount. 

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