Fire alarms

[HIgolfers]

Looking for anyone’s experience with Coastal Health and Safety. Can’t find anything on TOTV more recent than 2013 and a prior thread is disabled. They install top of the line smoke detectors. Their rep said the alarms installed by builders are the bare minimum and only work 45% of the time.

[Dana1963]

Sounds phony to me if Smoke Detectors we’re that bad they would be pulled from the market.
All smoke detectors do not last for ever the newer models last 10 years maybe 11 due to internal radioactive element exhausted. New construction you will have a smoke detector in each bedroom and within so many feet of a bedroom there is a smoke/carbon monoxide detector BY FIRE CODE.

[Papa_lecki]

Are they really $250 each? That’s what the thread from 2013 said,

The smoke detectors are installed in almost every new house all over the country (I’ve owned 5 houses in 3 states and they all had the same).

Sounds like there’s a reason no one is talking about them. Seems like a scam.

[retiredguy123]

Sounds like a scam. Light a candle and hold it near your smoke detector. If it goes off, you know that it works.

[villagetinker]

Smoke alarms go through very specific tests, so I would and will continue to depend on the alarms provided with the house, I have already replaced ALL of these when the first one failed (3 beeps) after about 8 years. I believe these are supposed to use some type of advanced detection system, and there are more installed than the original installation, for example the attic and the garage. No idea how well the ones in the attic will survive in the summer heat, or the battery backup.

[snbrafford]

Looking for anyone’s experience with Coastal Health and Safety. Can’t find anything on TOTV more recent than 2013 and a prior thread is disabled. They install top of the line smoke detectors. Their rep said the alarms installed by builders are the bare minimum and only work 45% of the time.

I don't have any experience with the company mentioned. I find it hard to believe that the smoke detectors (mine are First Alert brand) only work 45% of the time. Sounds like scare tactics and sales hipe. Mine go off every time something burns in the kitchen. Also, the ones I have are smoke AND carbon monoxide alarms. I just went on best reviews.com and they have first alert brand as 2 of the top five smoke detectors.

Plus be sure that you can easily get replacement smoke detector. My house is 12 years old and I just had to replace a First Alert smoke detector (would not stop beeping even after battery replacement). I easily found a replacement on Amazon just by entering the model number and it plugged right in - a 5 minute fix.

[bimmertl]

These guys have been around for years as noted. They normally put on a presentation with horror stories of allegedly failed detectors causing deaths.

They do not reveal the cost of placing their alarms in a house as they state a personal inspection of each house is needed to tailor the number of alarms to each house. This is despite the fact they have installed them in almost every model of homes in The Villages.

So the sales person comes to your house, inspects the residence and presents the house specific recommendation to the home owner. The typical cost is $4,000.00 with financing available.

I live in Springdale and I know 3 different friends who bought into this sales pitch in July. The home inspection is nothing more than an in person pressure tactic to get the owner to sign a contract on the spot.

The detectors used by the Villages are up to code. If they are not adequate, the Villages Fire Department personnel wouldn't be going around changing batteries on them or installing replacements.

Save your money!

[DALEPQ]

Just as an F.Y.I.
Had to replace battery in a detector that was beeping, we were "Seasonal" so had to have a handyman do it.
He advised that if one battery is needing to be replaced, then all batteries need to be replaced.
The reason he gave, was that all the detectors are inter-connected, and when a new battery is put into one, it has a higher output than the other ones. Thus, that difference
will cause the other ones to begin beeping.
He did then put in all new batteries in all the detectors, problem solved.
Will have new batteries put in again in all detectors, before we leave again.
Also, the Fire Dept. used to do the replacement as a no-charge service, they stopped
because of Covid, anybody know if they have re-started doing battery replacements?

[photo1902]

Just as an F.Y.I.
Had to replace battery in a detector that was beeping, we were "Seasonal" so had to have a handyman do it.
He advised that if one battery is needing to be replaced, then all batteries need to be replaced.
The reason he gave, was that all the detectors are inter-connected, and when a new battery is put into one, it has a higher output than the other ones. Thus, that difference
will cause the other ones to begin beeping.
He did then put in all new batteries in all the detectors, problem solved.
Will have new batteries put in again in all detectors, before we leave again.
Also, the Fire Dept. used to do the replacement as a no-charge service, they stopped
because of Covid, anybody know if they have re-started doing battery replacements?

Yes, they've resumed.

Public Safety Smoke Detector Program (https://www.districtgov.org/departments/Public-Safety/smoke-detector-program.aspx)

[retiredguy123]

Just as an F.Y.I.
Had to replace battery in a detector that was beeping, we were "Seasonal" so had to have a handyman do it.
He advised that if one battery is needing to be replaced, then all batteries need to be replaced.
The reason he gave, was that all the detectors are inter-connected, and when a new battery is put into one, it has a higher output than the other ones. Thus, that difference
will cause the other ones to begin beeping.
He did then put in all new batteries in all the detectors, problem solved.
Will have new batteries put in again in all detectors, before we leave again.
Also, the Fire Dept. used to do the replacement as a no-charge service, they stopped
because of Covid, anybody know if they have re-started doing battery replacements?
Your handyman's explanation is not correct. The smoke detectors are powered by the house electric current. The batteries are only for backup purposes, if there is a power outage. The detector will automatically detect a low or dead battery and the detector will start to beep every 15-30 seconds or so until you replace the battery. Although it may be a good idea to replace all of the batteries at the same time, it is not necessary. You can replace the battery in the detector that is beeping and that will resolve your beeping problem until another battery gets low or is dead.

[Papa_lecki]

You also can get the 10 year battery alarm, compatible with The Villages system, at Lowes, for $50. If you can step up a few on a ladder, that is an economical alternative.

good news, many Villagers are neighborly, and will help change alarms.

[retiredguy123]

Every smoke detector anywhere should be replaced every ten years. The fire department will confirm that. The best unit to use has a ten-year lithium battery permanently installed inside of it. Just replace the whole unit every ten years. Village Alarm offers this service for a reasonable fee. Typical home costs in the $300 price range to upgrade all of them. No reputable company would charge thousands of dollars for this type of service. If doing it yourself be sure not to replace your carbon monoxide detector with a smoke detector. We also offer Monitored smoke detectors combined with security systems.
I agree with replacing the smoke detectors every 10 years. But, why do you need smoke detectors with a permanently installed battery, if the detectors installed by the builder are powered by your house electricity? Why not just replace the alkaline batteries with 10 year lithium batteries? I understand that the code only requires the sealed, permanent type detectors for non-wired detector locations. It seems like an unnecessary expense, and not an upgrade to replace all of the detectors.

[retiredguy123]

You also can get the 10 year battery alarm, compatible with The Villages system, at Lowes, for $50. If you can step up a few on a ladder, that is an economical alternative.

good news, many Villagers are neighborly, and will help change alarms.
Why not just replace the alkaline batteries with 10 year lithium batteries for about 6 dollars each on Amazon?

[Stu from NYC]

Why not just replace the alkaline batteries with 10 year lithium batteries for about 6 dollars each on Amazon?

Isnt the unit sealed so we cannot replace the battery/

[Dana1963]

Isnt the unit sealed so we cannot replace the battery/
There is a small internal battery for internal operations of unit factory installed. Then there is an additional battery which operates unit in event of power failure that powers the audible alarm.
There are always safety commercial tv/radio suggest changing twice yearly at time change

[retiredguy123]

Isnt the unit sealed so we cannot replace the battery/
In The Villages, the type installed by the builder are not sealed. The batteries are replaceable. If you replace the alkaline battery with a lithium battery, then you essentially have a 10 year smoke detector, that will function just like the sealed units. By code, sealed units are only required when you are adding a smoke detector in a remote location where the detector is not connected to the house electrical system. My point is that there is no need to replace the non-sealed detectors with the sealed type. Just replace the battery. If you want it to last 10 years, then use a lithium battery.

[DaleDivine]

Looking for anyone’s experience with Coastal Health and Safety. Can’t find anything on TOTV more recent than 2013 and a prior thread is disabled. They install top of the line smoke detectors. Their rep said the alarms installed by builders are the bare minimum and only work 45% of the time.

I live in Devon Villas in Charlotte Village. My smoke detectors and about 5 neighbors all went out about the same time. The fire department at Sarasota said they all needed replacement as these only last about 7 or 8 years. I have five smoke and one carbon detectors. Bought replacements on Amazon for less than $90. Easy to replace. Just twist unit out and unplug old ones. Replug and twist in new ones.
:ho::ho:

[GypsyRN]

I live in Devon Villas in Charlotte Village. My smoke detectors and about 5 neighbors all went out about the same time. The fire department at Sarasota said they all needed replacement as these only last about 7 or 8 years. I have five smoke and one carbon detectors. Bought replacements on Amazon for less than $90. Easy to replace. Just twist unit out and unplug old ones. Replug and twist in new ones.
:ho::ho:

When one of the originally installed combo smoke/CO2 detectors (First Alert brand) in our CYV started beeping 5 times, indicating that it was time for replacement (not just a battery change out), we replaced them all. It you look on the back of the detector, it will indicate the manufacture date...all of ours indicated July 2013. The manufacture stated that they only last between 5-7 years, so at least we got 7 years out of them/ No battery change will eliminate the beeping once they are out of date!!! Just replace them all...30 bucks on Amazon...quick fix. If anyone needs help in replacing them, just give me a shout...I'll do it for $50/per detector.

[bonrich]

I just ordered online, 6 First Alert combo detectors. Ours are 10 years in age so I thought best to replace. I went with the original installed version since the model #'s matched and connectors looked the same. There are two listed under the name of First Alert. The other is BRK. Since Google is your friend, I find BRK is the contractor division of First Alert. The other is the retail version. Cost was around $28 each plus tax and shipping. Looking at lithium batteries instead of what is being pushed now. Reading the advertisement on the package it states 10 years of life, well look closer and it reads 10 years of shelf life. I plan on putting new or newer batteries in when I get the new detectors anyway.

[G.R.I.T.S.]

Looking for anyone’s experience with Coastal Health and Safety. Can’t find anything on TOTV more recent than 2013 and a prior thread is disabled. They install top of the line smoke detectors. Their rep said the alarms installed by builders are the bare minimum and only work 45% of the time.

A friend had them installed. Of course, to know if they work, one would have to have a fire. She indicated that she wishes she had not spent the $$ on the system. I researched the new technology as best as I could and chose the combination photo/ion type and installed them myself. Our older home is wired to activate all detectors when one goes off, with the exception of the CO detector.

[jrref]

It's interesting. I went to their web site and looked at the video. Although it looks like a "scare" tactic it's not. Most people don't realize or understand that Fire, Carbon Monoxide AND Water need to be monitored via a system that can alert you and or some central station. Although the primary goal is to protect your family, you also don't want your house burning down or flooded when you are not home.

I can't comment on the cost of this system, but you can get a system from Simplisafe, ADT and others to monitor all this. If you don't feel it's worth it you can replace your smoke/carbon monoxide detectors with detectors from Nest. They are about $100/detector but they last 10 years, fit right where your existing detectors are and has an App to alert you. It will tell you on the app and by speech when it smells smoke, when it's getting to the point of sounding the alarm and when the smoke dissipates after you take care of the problem. You can label every detector so it will speak which one has the alarm so in the middle of the night you don't have to guess what's going on. It also does an automated check each month and sends you a report.

Even with these more comprehensive and expensive systems, they don't have devices to turn of the water main if water is detected. To me this is a big problem. You can be out shopping and a washer hose bursts and you come home to a flooded house. You can Google systems that detect and shut off the water such as Homeseer and others. Out of everything they talk about in the video, water and flooding is probably one of the most likely events that will happen over the time you live in your home since most people don't routinely change their washer, sink and toilet hoses or change their water heater until it leaks. BTW Rheem makes a water heater with a water sensing and shutoff system called Gladiator. It's slightly more expensive than the regular heater but it will protect you from water heater flooding.

Hope this helps.

[Annie66]

I had the company come to our house. After hearing their second presentation, we were floored by the price. 8 combined smoke/CO detectors and 3 heat detectors = $8400. I thanked them, ushered them out of the house, and ignored all their phone calls. They eventually got the message and stopped calling.

[oldtimes]

Any company that pays for hundreds of free dinners to deliver their spiel is clearly overpriced. The system is just unnecessary overkill with good marketing and I feel sorry for the people who fall for their tactics.

[Dana1963]

I had the company come to our house. After hearing their second presentation, we were floored by the price. 8 combined smoke/CO detectors and 3 heat detectors = $8400. I thanked them, ushered them out of the house, and ignored all their phone calls. They eventually got the message and stopped calling.
Thank heavens for using your brain/common sense. Now I’d like to hear from someone that purchased this system.

[retiredguy123]

I just ordered online, 6 First Alert combo detectors. Ours are 10 years in age so I thought best to replace. I went with the original installed version since the model #'s matched and connectors looked the same. There are two listed under the name of First Alert. The other is BRK. Since Google is your friend, I find BRK is the contractor division of First Alert. The other is the retail version. Cost was around $28 each plus tax and shipping. Looking at lithium batteries instead of what is being pushed now. Reading the advertisement on the package it states 10 years of life, well look closer and it reads 10 years of shelf life. I plan on putting new or newer batteries in when I get the new detectors anyway.
The battery is only used as a back up system, so it doesn't draw down power when installed in the detector. So, the shelf life and the usage life are basically the same. The actual life of the battery would be much less than 10 years if it were providing electric power on a regular basis.

[Tom52]

We sat through the presentation last month. Price for a complete system smoke, heat, carbon monoxide, and water for or Gardenia was $7,355. That was about double what I expected. Well, the free dinners were O.K. plus we got a free fire blanket for the stove. They did convince me to purchase a good residential/commercial fire extinguisher which I ordered from Amazon for $65 including delivery.

I passed on the rest. No high pressure, but the salesman told me we were the 11th presentation that day and all previous 10 purchased his system. I told him 10 sales out of 11 calls was a darn good day for him as I escorted him out the door.

[tunderw1]

I purchased a system from Coastal last month. After hearing the presentation, believed there was value in what their program offered. Cost was $7500 for 7 smoke detectors, 6 heat only detectors, 2 CO detectors, 12 moisture detectors, and router/comm link. Alco included fire extinguisher.

[CWGUY]

:ohdear: It's unfortunate but...... IMHO P.T. Barnum was right!

[Dana1963]

:ohdear: It's unfortunate but...... IMHO P.T. Barnum was right!
Yes