My barn is at my house and I worry that no one would hear the smoke detectors if they go off. How do you all solve this problem/anxiety? I looked at the Nest Protect but wondered if this is what others are using.
I’ve seen many people comment that they use Nest, but here’s some other information:
I believe you would want a fire alarm that was based upon heat rather than smoke
Heat detectors are effective only in closed spaces such as your tack room, feed room, or other utility rooms. If a heat detector is triggered in open areas, such as the stalls, it is usually too late.
There are two types of heat detectors: rate of rise and fixed temperature. The rate of rise detector alarm is activated when the air surrounding the detector rises several degrees in a very short period of time, usually ten degrees Fahrenheit within sixty seconds. Fixed temperature heat detectors are designed to activate at a preset temperature which can range from 135°F. to 190°F. The setting will be determined depending upon the location of the heat detector.
http://firesafetyinbarns.com/articles/detection-and-alerting-devices/
the critical factor would be response time of the first reponders
Yeah, you will want heat activated, not smoke activated.
However, it only takes a couple of minutes for the whole barn to be engulfed, so by the time someone is notified and help arrived, it is probably too late. It makes more sense to have automatic fire extinguisher. The problem is, of course, it is super expensive…
I have a fire detection system that consists of heat activated sensors in 8 different spots each in the upstairs/downstairs of the barn. The alarm is ear splitting, even up at the house. No way you’d miss it!
None of this, of course, mitigates super responsible barn maintenance to avoid all potential risk. : )
If you call a local commercial security / fire alarm service, they could install a hard-wired set of heat sensors, with a fire bell that’s mounted on the external wall of the barn facing the house.
