Safe-Home.com

Question about advantages of Sensaphone Remote Monitoring Systems over security systems by national or local alarm and security companies.

Answer: For a data center, we would recommend the Sensaphone IMS-1000 Internet Remote Monitor, IMS-1002 or Sensaphone IMS-4000 PowerGate2 Outlet Switcher IMS-4302IMS-4000 unit over the Sensaphone Web600 Web-Monitor Alarm, No Land Line Needed. The WEB600 is a great starter solution with accessories like a battery back up, a temperature probe, a zone water detector and a humidity transmitter.  However, when you are talking a larger computer room or data center, you are talking about tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars of equipment that keep your business operational 24/7.

Sensaphone Systems offer these advantages:

• No Monthly Monitoring Fees: you buy the product and programs it to notify directly any employee or employees you choose without the cost of a central service that runs at least several hundred dollars annually.
• Real Sensor Values: Universal inputs read actual temperature values and more.
• Battery Backup: Either included or an inexpensive option.
• Maximum Flexibility: Notifications using custom voice phone calls, emails, faxes, text messages, SNMP traps, etc. Communication is via land phone lines, cell phones, Ethernet or satellite.
• Remote Access: You can program remotely whether a phone line product, a web-based products or a satellite product.
• No Dependencies: stand alone solutions mean you get direct communication without a central service, computer or server in the middle.
• Field Proven in Sensitive Applications: Proven reliability and validity in emergency response materials, military weapons systems, medicines, Homeland security, etc.
• Innovation: In-house engineering. Three US patents for unique technologies. Constantly working to make products more powerful and easier to use.
• Easy to Use: Simple, clear set up and maintenance. You don't have to be an electronics genius! Some products like the IMS series even automatically detect the sensor you've connected and configure it for you. The owners manuals are extensive and clear to follow. Telephone technical support is there, unlimited and toll free.
• Made in the USA:  Yes! Sensaphone is made in Pennsylvania. All engineering design, manufacturing, servicing, testing and support are here in the USA.

For your data center, Safe Home recommends you choose the IMS-1002 model and then choose from the 9 sensors listed:

• The IMS-1002 Model. The Sensaphone IMS-1000 Internet Remote Monitor, IMS-1002 is a web-based single room monitoring device with a voice modem. It will monitor up to 8 external sensors that are connected via Cat-5 cable. If your computer network failed, you will get a phone call or calls via a standard land line. It is fully Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) manageable.
• IMS-4811 or IMS-4813: The Sensaphone Temperature Sensor (F) for IMS-1000,4000 and the Sensaphone Room Temperature Sensor Celsius for IMS-1000,4000 are room temperature sensors with displays in F. or C.
• IMS-4812: Sensaphone Mini Temperature Sensor for IMS-1000,4000 monitors the temperature inside a cabinet or small space.
• IMS-4821: Sensaphone Humidity Sensor w/Display for IMS-1000,4000.
• IMS-4830: Sensaphone Water Detector IMS-4830 W/10 Ft Rope can be expanded by adding additional units for water detection.
• IMS-4840: Sensaphone 4840 External Power Failure Sensor for IMS-1000, 4000
• IMS-4841 or IMS-4842: Sensaphone IMS AC Current Sensor, up to 15 Amps, C13/C14 and the Sensaphone IMS AC Current Sensor, up to 20 Amps, C19/C20 are current sensors. Each reports the actual current flow in the circuit. If a generator fails to start, you know immediately.
• IMS-4860: Sensaphone Magnetic Reed Door Switch for IMS-1000,4000 monitors a door for unauthorized entry
• IMS-4861: Sensaphone IMS Passive Infrared Motion Sensor for monitoring unauthorized access into a data center
• IMS-4862: Sensaphone Smoke Detector for IMS 1000,4000. Smoke Detector functions independently from any primary fire alarm system.

If a sensor is disconnected, you will get an alert. Each sensor is continuously monitored by the IMS parent unit. Cat-5 jacks and cables make it easier to connect to remote sensors using existing structured cabling.

The data logging includes a time stamped collection of input values that can be viewed and graphed. Plus you will get a detailed event history of user logins, telephone calles, etc. It is possible to add video integration to have an image sent of the condition that tripped the alarm. This is web-based monitoring with a traditional phone line, too.

You can place the IMS-1000 or IMS-4000 into your server rack. There are no moving parts in the IMS-1000 series units: each is complately standalone with its own internal battery back up.

Please contact us if you have additional questions. Thank you for your questions.

Sincerely, Barbara

Question about the Sensaphone 2000 Data Log Remote Monitor, Nema-4X Enclosure, Sensaphone CELL682 Remote Monitor Control System NEMA-4X Solid Door and Sensaphone 1400 Remote Monitor NEMA4X Enclosure Clear Door

Answer: According to Nema.org, "Type 4X Enclosures constructed for either indoor or outdoor use to provide a degree of protection to personnel against access to hazardous parts; to provide a degree of protection of the equipment inside the enclosure against ingress of solid foreign objects (windblown dust); to provide a degree of protection with respect to harmful effects on the equipment due to the ingress of water (rain, sleet, snow, splashing water, and hose directed water); that provides an additional level of protection against corrosion; and that will be undamaged by the external formation of ice on the enclosure."

Sensaphone offers these enclosures on most of their remote monitors because many remote monitors are located in dusty or potentially corrosive industrial settings. Sensaphone monitors can be mounted inside buildings or outside. Those mounted in greenhouses are exposed to high humidity levels and water sprays as plants are watered. So purchase one with a NEMA4X enclosure if your situation requires it.

Choose a Sensaphone remote monitor according to the number of inputs you need and the complexity of your situation. For example the Sensaphone 2000 is a data logging monitor with 8 inputs and can contact up to 32 persons while the Sensaphone 1400 can monitor only 4 sensors for humidity, temperature, etc.

Thank you for your questions.

Sincerely,

Barbara

Question: "We recently converted to natural gas heat and gas hot water boiler. We have two floors above this basement installation. What safety alarm units are required for protection? Nate.

Answer: Thanks for your question for the Ask Barbara Contest, Nate. I am going to answer with the assumption that your home was all electric prior to this conversion. If you heated with propane or oil, some of these recommendations may not apply.

Natural gas homes or businesses need two different types of safety alarms.

Combustible Gas Alarms.

Why do I need a combustible gas detector/gas alarm?

The purpose of a combustible gas alarm is to alert you when you have a raw gas leak. Yes, mercaptan is added to natural gas to make it smell like rotten eggs. But if you are not in the area of the gas appliances and/or you do not have an ability to smell, the odor does you no good. This units must be installed near the gas using appliances. So if your gas furnace and gas water heater are side by side, one natural gas alarm is all you need.

We sell two different models with gas specific sensors. These are the Safe-T-Alert Model 40-411-120 and the Safety Siren Pro Gas Alarm; The main differences between the units are how they are installed.

To properly install the Safe-T-Alert you need an electrical outlet near to the gas appliances. Because this unit has a line cord that is approximately 65 long, mounting ths unit properly is usually less a problem that the direct plug-in Safety Siren. Raw gas detection units must be mounted within 6 inches of the ceiling or on the ceiling at least 12 inches from a wall for natural gas leak protection. Natural gas pools above the appliance: think of an upside down pothole filling with water and you get the picture.

The Safety Siren requires an electrical outlet near the appliance. Many people choose this option because the Safety Alert unit has a safety tab through which an outlet screw goes. This means the unit cannot be removed from a standard, single screw, double outlet without removing the screw.  These units meet the UL1484 standards for combustible gas alarms.

Note: UL 1484 listed combustible gas detectors are not detectors for minute gas leaks. Sensors and detectors are tested in a combustible gas environment and meet the UL 1484 standards for alerts of dangerous gas levels. Deliberate exposure to natural gas, butane, propane, etc. can destroy the sensor in this unit. Use the test button to test this unit, not exposure to raw gas.

Carbon Monoxide Alarms:

One product of natural gas and all fossil fuels like coal, wood, peat, etc. is carbon monoxide, a colorless, odorless gas. If your furnace and water heater are working properly, carbon monoxide is vented outside. If the vents are not working properly due to obstructions or the furnace heat exchanger cracks, then carbon monoxide is discharged into the air. Unlike combustible gasses, carbon monoxide does not pool but is distributed throughout your air. Carbon monoxide exposure symptoms range from flu-like symptoms to brain damage to death from asphyxiation.

Recommended at a minimum are carbon monoxide alarms in or outside every bedroom, near the gas appliances and at the top of stairways. The easiest to install are the 9 volt battery units. Believe the alarm even if it sounds intermittently. About 5 years ago, I went to visit my parents in Pennsylvania. They have a washer and gas dryer in their kitchen (since 1952). I noticed that the Costar 9 volt CO alarms were all off their mounts (there were three units total). I was told they were "defective" as they were going off intermittently. I took them home with me and sent them to Quantum Group to be tested. Dave from Quantum phoned and said nothing was wrong with them! Meanwhile, my elderly father did NOT install the plug in Safe-T-Alert unit I had sent them because "I didn't know where to put it." The problem was the vent for the gas dryer was partially clogged with lint!  Since then, local code has changed: their 4 inch diameter gas dryer vent had to be replaced with a 5 inch for the newest dryer to be installed this past year.

Types of Carbon Monoxide Alarms:

• 9 Volt Battery: Examples are the Costar 9V Home or RV with Solid-state Infrared (SIR) sensor with reservoir system  and the the Kidde 9 Volt with electrochemical sensor.
• 12/24V Security System Hard Wired Unit: Costar 12/24 which meets the UL standard 2075
• 120VAC hard wired: See the Safe-T-Alert Carbon Monoxide alarms on our website for this unit and the next two.
• 120VAC direct plug in
• 120VAC line cord
• 120VAC with Battery Back-Up. For example the the Kidde Nighthawk 120VAC Plug In with 9 volt battery back-up  

Also install and maintain your smoke alarms which I am sure you already have.

Thank you for your question and your entry in the Ask Barbara Contest.

Sincerely, Barbara

Question about the Scentry III GFRAB Automatic Gas Valve and Gas Detector System

Answer: This unit allows you to use remote gas detectors to place near your other gas appliances. There is a battery back-up available if you want protection during a power failure. We do have an installation manual available on our website for this unit.The Scentry Installation Manual.

The GFRAB stands for gas sensor, mounting feet, remote ready, alarm and battery and includes the gas valve shut-off/controller. NOTE: Must be used with a Scentry III gas valve (sold separately).  Each Scentry gas sensor is calibrated in a gaseous atmosphere so it will alarm at 10% of the lower explosive level (LEL) of the combustible gas. This is not a carbon monoxide alarm as it has only a combustible gas alarm sensor.

Scentry III-GFRAB Specifications:

    Case: ABS Plastic
    Physical Size: 7.6 inches by 4.6 inches
    Weight: 2.25 lbs
    Color: Gray
    Power consumption: 1.5va
    Supports up to 4 calibrated remote sensors (not included)
    Requires Scentry III-GVD gas valve (purchase separately)
    Supports Battery Back-Up (Not Included)
    Gas Valve Controller for combustible gasses such as natural gas or propane gas that includes a 24 volt transformer
    Connections: screw terminals
    Input Power: 115VAC, 60 Hz
    Output Control Relays: 2 amps, 24 VAC
    Alarm Signal Output: 12V DC @500 ma
    Reset: manual
    Sensor Type: Tin Dioxide Semiconductor
    Alarm Points: Propane (LP) <5200 PPM
    Alarm Points: Natural Gas / Methane <12,200 PPM
    Manufactured Proudly in the USA for Safety First USA, Inc.
    Warranty: 1 year from date of purchase.  

The gas valves include a 1/2 inch, a 3/4 inch and a 1 inch valve.

The Scentry III-GFRAB gas alarm and gas valve controller (shut-off) has the capability of adding options such as battery back-up, remote gas sensors and remote alarms.  If you add the battery option, you can keep pilot lights lit during intermittent power failures in regions such as the mountain states where electric power is not always continuous. A 12V output gives the option of a phone dialer to alert owners of vacation homes, etc. when an unsafe condition has occurred. Remote gas sensors can be added near gas ranges, gas water heaters, gas furnaces, gas heaters, etc. to add protection using only one gas valve controller.

Please contact us if you have questions about what components to install.

Thanks again for your timely question.

Sincerely, Barbara

Question about the Kidde Fire Sentry Smoke Alarm i9040E

Answer: The sensors are different for smoke alarms, carbon monoxide alarms and combustible gas alarms (for propane, lp or natural gas). Until recently, some towns did not require the other two alarms. In fact currently the propane and natural gas alarms remain optional and virtually unknown except when a home or building explodes due to build up of combustible gasses.

There are several kinds of smoke alarm sensors available: ionization and photoelectric. It is best to have both kinds of alarms in your home.

Here are some examples of the choices we offer in Kidde Smoke Alarms and BRK alarms:

• The Kidde Fire Sentry Smoke Alarm i9040E is an ionization sensor alarm that operates via one 9volt battery. There are 120VAC units such as the FireX/Kidde I5000 FADC which has a 10 year warranty and hard-wired to 120VAC. It has a 9V battery backup in case of power failure. It has a front loading battery door and can be used as a single station or multiple station unit, i.e. connects with other units in your home or business. This unit is great if you have a new home and can wire the appropriate connectors.
• Otherwise a better choice is the Kidde Wireless RF Hardwired Interconnected Smoke Alarm with Battery Back -Up. The new wireless technology uses a radio frequency to both transmit and receive messages about a hazard in the home; when one alarm sounds, all will sound. This also has a ten year warranty. 
• The Kidde Silhouette is a low profile AC/DC powered, ionization smoke alarm that operates on a 120V power source with a sealed rechargeable battery backup.
• Photoelectric Smoke Alarm AC / DC Battery Backup - BRK 7010B UL 217 standard.Dust cover * Single button test / silence feature * 9V battery backup * Alarm indication * Photoelectric sensing chamber * Perfect mount keeps alarm secure over a wide rotation range * 10 year limited warranty * Optipath 360 technology.

Most homes need at least 4 smoke alarms.

Thanks for your question.

Sincerely,

Barbara