Fire and Carbon Monoxide Alert Systems for Deaf/HOH

This blog entry covers the set up of fire & carbon monoxide (CO) detector alarm system for deaf / hoh single-family homes. (Apartments and condos may have their own systems if required by law).

Since my smoke detectors were aging* and no longer reliable, I looked into implementing an alarm set-up that would best work for my household based on needed criteria (outlined below).

* General recommendations is to replace smoke detectors about every 10 years. Combo fire & CO alarms should be replaced about every 5-7 years. Reference link from First Alert.

** Disclaimer - recommendations presented here are of my own. Homeowners are responsible to ensure that system devices are compatible, set up correctly, tested, and properly maintained. There are other product options and devices available, it is best to determine what best fits your needs. **

Regular fire and carbon monoxide detectors DO NOT serve the deaf/hoh population segment well because alarms may not be heard when in a different room, floor or asleep. For some, they are totally useless if one has no hearing at all. In addition most common systems only provide an audible alert, and no visible alerts if a power outage occurs.

In order to create a system that met my needs - I had following criteria.

Extensive research was required to find compatible systems that met the criteria I had outlined.

Criteria for alerting system

1. Must work on all floors in my residence

2. Must be able to send an audible, visual/vibrating and/or sound alert - especially for bedroom

3. Must be able to work in the event of a power failure via battery back up

• This is a critical feature because storms or electrical fires can knock out power, causing most systems to default to audible alarm mode only - which are totally useless for deaf/hoh consumers

4. No power only devices - which can be rendered inoperable in the event of a power failure as recently described

5. Must be able to work wirelessly, and not require electrician to hardwire throughout the house

• My old detectors were hardwired and relied on electrical power. I removed them and placed the new wireless detectors (described below within this blog) over drywall already cutout / pre-drilled within the ceiling

6. Must be able to monitor / control via a smart mobile device app (i.e. iPhone / Android)

The above criteria may vary depending on your needs, home configuration, size, and personal preferences - adjust accordingly.

Be forewarned, components and devices required for deaf/hoh alarms and notification systems total costs can be 2 to 3 times more expensive than a set up with basic detectors. But you and/or your family’s life may depend on it - it is worth it in the long run.

Solution that worked for criteria outlined above

• Two Google Nest Pro (battery powered) detectors - one in the hallway of each floor (mounted on ceiling). Which can be purchased from Google, Home Depot, or Amazon depending on availability.
  

The Google Nest Pro fire and CO detectors run completely on batteries and transmit signals to other Nest detectors in the residence when an alarm is sounded.

• One Home Aware System (with LED, Strobe and bed vibrator), from Diglo - placed in primary bedroom

This device plugs into the wall, but provides full functional back up via a series of replaceable batteries.

• Two Wireless Transmitters, from Diglo - (one transmitter placed on first floor near a Nest Pro detector, and the other in primary bedroom).

These transmitters also plug directly into the wall and have full battery back up.

The wireless transmitters listen for fire / co alarms and transmit to the Home Aware System which contains LED, strobe and bed vibrator notifications. * Sometimes false alarms triggered by the transmitters can occur with loud sounds in the house. Such as with a vacuum cleaner - adjust the sensitivity level or down as needed.

For my set up, since the Home Aware Alert system is too far from the Nest detectors to pick up the alarms, the transmitters are used as a go to between. If the nest detectors and and Home Aware System are in the same room such as within a studio apartment or room, a secondary transmitter may not be needed. Hence it is important to re-test the system when devices are placed in their desired locations - not when when you are setting up and pairing the devices.

Google offers Nest smartphone app to review the status of the detectors and allow you to test the system as needed.

Lastly, don't forget to occasionally conduct tests, and replace the batteries on an annual basis to ensure the system is working. Some recommend using your birthdate of the following year as a reminder to replace the batteries.

Short video clip of testing the system during configuration.

For any technical or operational support questions regarding the devices, contact the seller and/or manufacturer directly.