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Checking the smoke detectors - ADT system

G

Gary Garnier

Jan 1, 1970
0
My house had an ADT system installed when built about 10 years ago. I
have no literature on how to test the smoke alarms, whether they are
battery or centrally powered, photoelectric or ionization etc. I have
held a smoking match beneath it with no result.

The units look like the usual round SDs you'd see at Ace Hardware,
except that they have a perforated round (~ 2.5" diameter) metallic
part extending outside the plastic housing (facing down - think mini
shower head). There is a red LED recessed in the center.

I have tried all possible modes of opening the housing I can think of
- no luck.

From this description I hope someone can at least advise how to open
the SD without destroying it, so that I can check for a battery.

(ADT has been no help whatsoever to me, but this is not ADTSucks so I
won't go into that.)
 
F

Frank Olson

Jan 1, 1970
0
The round metallic part is probably a heat detector. Is the LED "on" or
"off"?? You should be able to twist the unit away from it's base. Look on
the back and tell us what the label reads...

One more thing... before you attempt removal, call the station to put your
system on test (if it's being monitored). You don't want a couple of beefy
men in boots wielding a fire axe and dragging a four inch hose coming into
your house... :)
 
F

fly in the ointment

Jan 1, 1970
0
It sounds like it might be an ESL 400 series unit. If this is the case, it
won't twist open, twist off it's base, or do the twist. If ADT put it in,
it's probably a system smoke. No battery or user serviceable parts inside.
Call a local alarmco to have it checked out. You'll need to sign up for
monitoring service though, which is not a bad idea. Forget ADT, Brinks, and
P1. Call a local outfit that's been in business for at least five years.
js
 
F

fly in the ointment

Jan 1, 1970
0
Just my opinion, based on my observations over the years. I feel that
consumers get better service from a reputable local that any national.
js
 
F

fly in the ointment

Jan 1, 1970
0
Tom:
Put on your glasses, reread my post, and lose the attitude. You are behaving
like a democrat.
js
 
R

RR USER

Jan 1, 1970
0
about testing.....Accordingto the NC fire code the magnet test is a false
positive test. Use can smoke , it is like a small spray can, found at most
comercial parts store, like johnstone supply or grainger
 
F

Frank Olson

Jan 1, 1970
0
Robert L. Bass said:
Please do NOT twist the unit! You may destroy it or at the least pull it
loose from the plastic drywall anchors that some ADT installers use to
attach them to the ceiling. (Note: They *should* be mounted to an octo or
gang box).

Most smoke detectors/alarms have a base that the detector mounts on to.
Robert wouldn't know this because he doesn't install. You should be OK to
gently twist the unit... If you examine the base you might see an arrow to
indicate the removal direction and/or a tab you have to depress to release
it.

Following are links to several popular brands which might be found on your
ceiling. Let me know if one of these looks like yours and I'll give you
specific instructions to open it without breaking anything.

I wouldn't suggest opening *any* system detector... You can dismount it
from it's base though and tell us what the model number and manufacturer is.

Better yet, if it's monitored and ten plus years old, schedule a visit to
have the detectors replaced. They have already exceeded their service life
unless they have been regularly inspected and recalibrated under a service
contract.

If ADT asks too much money for the parts or if they insist on a multi-year
monitoring contract before they will service it, just replace them yourself.
It's simple replacing smoke detectors; requires no special skills beyond
using a screwdriver and testing them with a magnet after you turn them on.

You can order replacement smokes online at any number of vendors, including
my Bass Home Electronics store if you don't locate a suitable local
vendor.


Also at any of these alarm dealers:


http://www.alarmsystemstore.com
http://www.alarmsuperstore.com
http://www.alarmcontacts.com
http://www.diycomponents.com
http://www.tech-man.com/estore/default.asp
http://www.i2automation.com
 
M

Mark Leuck

Jan 1, 1970
0
fly in the ointment said:
Just my opinion, based on my observations over the years. I feel that
consumers get better service from a reputable local that any national.
js

That assumes the local is still in business when service is needed
 
M

Mark Leuck

Jan 1, 1970
0
fly in the ointment said:
Tom:
Put on your glasses, reread my post, and lose the attitude. You are behaving
like a democrat.
js

He lives in NYC, he IS a democrat
 
F

fly in the ointment

Jan 1, 1970
0
Yes, and many of the upstart alarmcos fold within a couple of years. If
they make it five years, chances are they're for real. Again, just my
opinion, but from what I've seen the locals provide much better service to
consumers than P1, ADT, or Brinks.
js

Mark Leuck
 
R

RH.Campbell

Jan 1, 1970
0
Yes, much as I dislike the nationals around here, I have to agree. Customers
should check with them just as they should check with the locals. It has
been my exprience however (somewhat biased I have to admit), that a customer
is better off to decide first HOW he wants to buy as opposed to who he wants
to deal with. If he's looking for the "zero down" type offer (often
erroneously called the "free system"), generally I would think he is better
to deal with the nationals. If he is looking to buy his system outright,
maintain more control over his future choices in regards to who is his
dealer, perhaps get lower cost monthly charges and a more complete warranty,
a local MAY offer more flexible options along that line.

It has been my personal experience that the locals in our area are around
somewhat longer than the nationals. I have only to look locally to see how
Via Security Network got bought by Bell Gardium (telco), who messed things
up badly, sold to SecurityLink, who got bought out by ADT. All the locals I
know around here are still in service (and thriving) with one exception, who
retired and sold the company to P1. It has also been my experience that the
following generalizations often apply:

Big Companies:
1- Service is poor,with waits from one to two weeks to have a service
technician visit (often at very high costs)
2- Prices are much higher and contracts more restrictive
3- Monitoring response is generally poorer and with far less personalization

Small companies:
1- Service is generally much quicker (same or next day if they are a good
small company....)
2- Prices are all over the map, but contracts and the ability to negotiate a
better deal are more common
3- Monitoring is usually done by smaller central stations, often with more
personalization, allowing for special instructions to apply.

I leave ADT out of this description since locally they are in a league of
poor service all of their own, and if factored into the equation would make
the Big Company scenario look hopeless.

Bottom line, any customer should educate themselves to the conditions in
their local area and check things out before buying (and this goes for any
large consumer purchase)

Buyer beware is the order of the day unfortunately..........

R.H.Campbell
Home Security Metal Products
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
www.homemetal.com
 
R

RH.Campbell

Jan 1, 1970
0
Let's be honest, everyone attempts to twist there truth to meet their needs.
Mega National advertises local company because the branch is local. Wild West
claims they are local, but they are really a national dealer. Joe's Alarms
advertises they are local, but their monitoring is contracted in Fargo. MyCity
Alarms claims their monitoring is local but it's just called forwarded to
BillyBob's in Maine. And, you have Auntie Jane's Home Grown Alarmco that
advertises they are local but their monitoring is done by Nigerian Monitoring
Center, billing is through Bombay Partnership, Service calls are performed by
LowBid-R-Us, and customer service is handled by WallaWalla Rehabilitation
Center a division of the State Penitentiary.

RHC: Good one....hehehe......
I often say that a typical alarm consumer does more research into the purchase
of their toaster than they do into the purchase of their alarm system.

I think the reason that confusion reigns amongst consumers is there's no
central location to be educated without bias. When I first started doing
seminars on obtaining security, the Q&A period was designed for 30 - 45
minutes. Now it can stretch 2+ hours because of all the false information out
there. It seems every time there's some new information that must be
corrected. You would be surprised as to how much of this information was
gleamed from some "authoritative" location. The internet has opened the world
for education on alarms, but has also spewed so much garbage that and
misleading information that consumers may think they have made an educated
choice only to find out they were the victims of cleaver marketing.

RHC: Yes, it's tough to find even a truly objective website that gives the
consumer information that is the true bottom line. I did try to do that with
my website, but sometimes I don't think I have managed to end up as
objective as I would like to be, simply because I have come through hands on
experience to detest the Borg so much over the years. So it's tough to give
them their legitimate due when I really think in most cases, the consumer is
getting almost ripped off by them...

Years ago when I and my partner gave seminars to home owner groups, it
wasn't so difficult as it is now. Plus, then, I had no interest in the
electronic security end of the business, so I didn't take such a strong
position on most security matters. But ....hey, all you can do is an honest,
quality job, and hope that consumers will come your way. It's such a big,
wide, diverse world out there that it's impossible to deal with every twist
the industry comes up with to sell services.

I know that I sound like a dreamer, but I often wish that the allmighty buck
didn't rule the world of business as much as it does. If it didn't, we
likely wouldn't see quite so much of the Enron type greed and
dishonesty.....

Signed: "a dreamer"...

R.H.Campbell
Home Security Metal Products
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
www.homemetal.com
 
F

fly in the ointment

Jan 1, 1970
0
Whatchu talkin' 'bout, Willis? You're just jealous of our new Terminator.
Dooon't be a girlie maaaan.
js

Nunya Bizness wrote
 
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