The cost of residential fire equipment varies greatly, but there are a few basic fire protection items every homeowner should have on hand, like a smoke detector. There’s no such thing as being too prepared when it comes to fire detection and suppression equipment, but each item comes at a cost.
Keep in mind that it’s more important to focus first on protecting human life than on protecting property. In this article, we do our best to summarize the cost of varying fire safety equipment devices designed for residential use.
Cost of Smoke Detectors
Detectors are the first line of defense and alert occupants to the potentially life-threatening danger of a fire. Above all else, fire detectors save human lives. Neighbors can’t typically hear an indoor siren, so, unless the detector is connected to a monitoring center, fire detectors are essentially useless in the defenses of an unoccupied home.
There are two types of fire detectors: ionization and photoelectric. Believe it or not, each of these styles comes at a different cost and excels at detecting different kinds of fires. Ionization smoke detectors are better at detecting fires with flames, while photoelectric smoke detectors are better at detecting a smoldering fire.
The U.S. Fire Administration recommends installing both types of smoke detectors or finding a smoke detector that contains both types of technology.
- Ionization smoke detectors usually range between $10 to $30, depending on if the device is battery powered or hardwired
- Photoelectric smoke detectors generally range from about $20 to $40
- Detectors that contain both types of technology usually cost about $30 to $60
- The addition of strobe lighting for the hard of hearing usually increases the price by about $20 to $30
- You should also expect to pay slightly more for detectors equipped with the ability to communicate with a central alarm panel
Cost of Monitored Fire Equipment
Integrating fire detection equipment into a system being remotely monitored by a third party is the best way to protect an unoccupied home from fire. The monitoring agent calls the fire department as soon as a fire is detected unless someone verbally confirms that there is no danger.
Monitoring can also mean the difference between life and death when occupants are unable to call for help or escape a burning house. The cost of residential monitoring usually ranges from about $20 to $50 per month and typically includes both fire monitoring and burglar alarm monitoring.
Cost of Fire Sprinkler Systems
Most people aren’t aware that residential fire sprinklers are widely available and capable of putting out a fire before it gets out of hand. The average residential fire sprinkler system costs about $1.35 to $1.65 per square foot and, despite what you might have seen in the movies, only activates in the room or rooms that have a fire.
However, it’s worth checking with your insurance agent when considering fire safety equipment. Some insurance companies offer discounts for customers that install residential fire sprinkler systems or monitored fire detection equipment.
Other Fire Safety Device Equipment Costs
- Fire extinguishers usually range from about $20 to $80
- Fire blankets cost about $30 to $80
- Various fire escape installations and equipment can range anywhere from $3,000 to $20,000
- And if you live or work in a high-rise, the SkySaver rescue backpack allows users to repel down to safety using a backpack harness that costs between $900 and $1,000
Learn More About Residential Fire Equipment
If you’re interested in learning more about protecting your home from the dangers of fire, contact Butler Durrell. We install monitored fire detectors in both residential homes and a wide range of commercial facilities.
