A fire alarm system in a home, business, or other building is crucial to keeping people and property safe during a fire. Both monitored and non-monitored fire alarms are helpful. But, once you understand the differences, you may prefer a system that can protect employees, loved ones, and assets to a greater degree.

Here’s what you should know about monitored and non-monitored fire alarms.

Monitored Fire Alarms

A monitored fire alarm system sends a signal to a fire station or an alarm company central station as soon as it is triggered. No one inside the premises has to call emergency services, which can cost time and endanger lives. They can focus on getting out of the building to safety, knowing that the fire alarm system will alert an emergency response team.

Additional benefits of having a monitored fire alarm include:

• 24/7 protection to safeguard your home or business even when you’re not there.
• Self-troubleshooting: A monitored fire alarm can alert the monitoring station when it is not working correctly so it can be fixed immediately.
• Quick emergency response time: emergency services are contacted immediately, reducing the risk of damage to property and harm to people.
• Save on insurance: many insurance companies offer lower insurance prices if you opt for a monitored system because fires are a top cause of property damage. According to The NFPA, approximately 1.5 million fires were attended to by local fire departments across the US in 2022. These fires resulted in $18 billion in damage, 3,790 civilian deaths, and 13,250 civilian injuries.

Non-Monitored Fire Alarms

When a fire alarm is not monitored, it will sound, alerting anyone on the premises to evacuate and contact emergency services.

The biggest disadvantage of a non-monitored fire alarm is that someone needs to be present to hear it and make the call. This can delay response time, increasing the risk of injury and property damage.

Non-monitored alarms are low-cost and low-maintenance. While the cost of a monitored fire alarm may be a legitimate consideration, the cost of replacing and repairing fire damage will be much greater.

You must test your non-monitored fire alarm or have it inspected by a professional regularly to ensure it’s always working. If you opt for a non-monitored alarm, your first priority is to get people out of the building. Then call emergency services.

Which option is right for you?

Monitored fire alarms connect to a central station, which automatically alerts emergency services when it detects smoke or fire. This ensures a rapid response even if you’re not on-site. In contrast, non-monitored alarms simply sound an alert locally, relying on someone nearby to take action.

For the best protection of your home or business, a monitored fire alarm offers unmatched security and peace of mind. It guarantees that help is always on the way, no matter the circumstances.

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