Author Topic: Smoke alarms that don't scream and scare the crap out of you?  (Read 842 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline HalcyonTopic starter

  • Global Moderator
  • *****
  • Posts: 6120
  • Country: au
Smoke alarms that don't scream and scare the crap out of you?
« on: August 08, 2020, 02:34:51 am »
Currently, I have three ionisation-type smoke alarms in my home. They are just the normal cheap type that come with most homes. They are mains powered and also battery backed (as required by Australian standards).

When the 9v batteries approach 9 volts (always at 0230 in the morning when it's the coldest), they let out a single chirp periodically to let you know the battery is low. But it's not a soft chirp, it's the same type and volume as the full alarm sound, so naturally it scares the shit out of you when it goes off. It's not just the one alarm that goes off either, since they are all interconnected, they all activate.

I'm looking to replace them with something a bit more sensible. Even at full alarm, they don't need to be that loud since there are multiple alarms throughout the house. I have looked at the Nest alarms however what I don't like is that they have built-in microphones that form part of the self-test function. Other than that, I do like how they function and provide non-startling audio feedback.

Does anyone know of something similar to the Nest alarms but don't pose a cyber security/privacy risk?
 

Offline Tomorokoshi

  • Super Contributor
  • ***
  • Posts: 1212
  • Country: us
Re: Smoke alarms that don't scream and scare the crap out of you?
« Reply #1 on: August 08, 2020, 04:15:27 am »
Here in the United States there are models with a speaker that will say what type of alarm is happening, whether smoke, carbon monoxide, or combustible gas. Not sure about how they operate with low battery. I need to shop and update mine.

I think the interconnected ones are too loud. It's disorienting enough, and with all shrieking there's no way to tell where the problem is from.
 

Offline jonovid

  • Super Contributor
  • ***
  • Posts: 1546
  • Country: au
    • JONOVID
Re: Smoke alarms that don't scream and scare the crap out of you?
« Reply #2 on: August 08, 2020, 04:35:44 am »
Quote
however what I don't like is that they have built-in microphones that form part of the self-test function
a lot more functions can be added by  installer / manufacturer
hiding in plain sight on your average ceiling, electronic eavesdropping never had it so easy,  even get to take pictures.
« Last Edit: August 08, 2020, 11:20:34 am by jonovid »
Hobbyist with a basic knowledge of electronics
 

Offline n5al

  • Contributor
  • Posts: 23
  • Country: mx
Re: Smoke alarms that don't scream and scare the crap out of you?
« Reply #3 on: August 08, 2020, 04:47:01 am »
I went into a paint store a while back.  Their smoke alarm was happily chirping away because of a low battery.  About a month later, I returned to the store.  The smoke alarm was still chirping.  Oh, well.
 

Offline Ed.Kloonk

  • Super Contributor
  • ***
  • Posts: 4000
  • Country: au
  • Cat video aficionado
Re: Smoke alarms that don't scream and scare the crap out of you?
« Reply #4 on: August 08, 2020, 04:59:07 am »
Put a bit of sticker label over the hole in the buzzer. Works a treat for sound attenuation.
iratus parum formica
 

Online nfmax

  • Super Contributor
  • ***
  • Posts: 1624
  • Country: gb
Re: Smoke alarms that don't scream and scare the crap out of you?
« Reply #5 on: August 08, 2020, 07:53:36 am »
I went into a paint store a while back.  Their smoke alarm was happily chirping away because of a low battery.  About a month later, I returned to the store.  The smoke alarm was still chirping.  Oh, well.

I was in a hardware store looking at a whole shelf full of the things: the ones with the 10 year lithium batteries. One of them was giving a low battery beep - but which one?
 


Share me

Digg  Facebook  SlashDot  Delicious  Technorati  Twitter  Google  Yahoo
Smf