Safe-Home.com

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

Q: "We are building a new data center. Our choices are between a national or local alarm and security company with monthly monitoring fees or a Sensaphone system. We want to monitor power, temperature and humidity. We are also concerned about possible water leaks onto the flooring and being able to lower the thermostat in the room if one of the units begins to overheat. Which system do you recommend? Thanks. Bill."

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 Gizmode Water Screamer Water Alarm

Question: "I need several very loud water alarms. I live in an older house whose plumbing is being updated slowly. We had a leak under the kitchen sink that was so bad we had to remove the bottom of the cabinet and rebuild it. The flooring warped as well. Is this the right alarm for us? Thanks. Tom."

Answer: Yes, I would choose this alarm if you want a portable extremely loud water alarm. The Water Screamer has a tip resistant commercial grade design and is made from ABS plastic. The 4.5 inch diameter by 2.5 inch tall size means it takes up little room. Just put in on the floor or bottom of a cupboard. There are 4 stainless steel sensor pins that reach into carpeting. The 9 volt battery is not included: the battery can last for years because there is no power drawn from it unless there is a leak. There is a one year warranty on the water alarm itself.

Buy the economy pack if you want to protect 6 different areas. The Water Screamer 9Volt Water Alarm, 130 dB Alarm,6/PK is an economical choice compared to purchasing automatic shut off devices for all the water using appliances in your home.

Thank you for your question. Please contact us if you want information about individual water shut off devices with alarms such as the Flood Stop or a whole house unit such as the Water Cop. We can assist you with finding the best choices for your home.

Sincerely,

Barbara

Question about the WaterCop Sergeant Basic Water Damage Actuator, Water Valve and Sensor Package with Low Lead Valve

Q: "I live in California. I want to install a WaterCop to protect my condominum from future water damage. Our condo association was not happy, nor was I, when repairs from a leaking dishwasher caused over $20,000 in repair costs from a leaking water dispensing refrigerator leak. I am encouraging the entire condo association to install WaterCops and moisture sensors to add protection and keep our insurance premiums down. Does this unit meet the specifications for California lead? Thanks. Tom.

Answer: Dynaquip controls has added what are called "lead free" or "low lead" brass full port water valves as an option to their Water Cop line. These valves comply with the California AB1953 Standard as well as the Vermont S.152 Ultra Low Lead Law. The cost of these units is more because making brass with little or no lead adds considerable expense to manufacturing.

The electrical actuator and moisture sensors are identical to the original units.

To protect your condominium community, please advise your condo board that WaterCop units and sensors should be ordered pre-set from the factory. We've handled orders like this in the past. What we need to know is the number of units and the number of sensors and adapters (most prefer AC rather than battery powered sensors). By numbering the units say 1 through 50, your condo community can be assured that if there is a leak in say Unit 101, that the unit next door will continue to have water because the actuator and sensor settings will be different!

If your community plans to expand, the best approach is to have the WaterCop ready lead free valves installed during the initial construction. Then the actuators and water sensors can be added later just prior to occupancy.  Why pay twice for a water valve!.

Currently, these units are available in 1/2 inch valve, 3/4 inch valve , 1 inch valve and 1 1/4 inch valve sizes. The 1 1/4 inch actuators and valves are more expensive: the power requires to quickly open and close the valve is higher for the larger valves. Remember you can reduce the size of a water line to fit a smaller valve. The most popular sizes are the 3/4 inch and the 1 inch.

Thanks for your question. Please contact us for a quotation when your condo association is ready to install the WaterCops. One condo association reported to us that they were close to being uninsurable until they installed the WaterCops. Then the yearly premiums dropped 15%.

Sincerely,

Barbara

Question: about the WaterCop and the Flood Stop

Q:"Does Safe Home Products have an opinion as to the comparison between Water Cop and Flood Stop? I've read the product guides and understand the product's features. Which is more reliable or has the best track record? Thanks, David S"

Answer: Your decision needs to be made upon these factors:

1. What do you want to protect? A single appliance or several appliances? Floodstop makes single water appliance units for water heaters, washing machines, sinks, icemakers, etc.     More...

Question about the product:
FloodStop 3/4 in Valve Water Heater Shutoff COMPRESSION Product Code: : FS-3/4-C .

Q: "It looks like your system has a control box with buttons. Can I turn the system off or on with this controller placed remote from the shutoff valve? I would like to be able to turn the whole water supply off when I am away." -Kevin

Answer: The FloodStop controller must be placed near the hot water heater. The only extension wires available are for the AC adapter.

Yes, you can turn the system on and off remotely. The FloodStop Controller indeed has three buttons, mute, close valve and open valve.The outputs are normally closed. You can use contacts for any device that can utilize them, like auto phone dialers, alarm systems, X10 home automations devices., etc. There is a 4-pin connection to valve/sensor connector.

We do sell a whole house water shut off device, the WaterCop , that has a remote shut-off option. That unit is installed on the main water valve into the house. Water sensors are placed under or near appliances such as water heaters, washing machines, dishwashers, water dispensing or ice making refrigerators, etc. The remote shut off can be placed anywhere you please as long as it can be connected to the Watercop controller with Cat 5 cable.

Please contact us if you need more information. The manuals for these products are on our website.

Sincerely,
Barbara

Question about Water Alarms.

Q:"What kind of stand alone water alarms do you sell?" Thanks. Lee

Answer: Safe Home Products sells three different water alarms that are stand alone.

1. The Flood Detective: The only water alarm that features AC operation with battery back-up. 92 dB alarm. The water sensors detect water at a depth of 1/32", are wafer thin for use under carpets or small spaces and have adhesive strips to keep sensors firmly in place. Flood Detective's fail-safe technology informs you of A/C power loss or low battery levels. 8 foot cord on each sensor. Daisy chain additional water sensors to expand coverage of a single Flood Detective water alarm unit. Multi-sensor Capable: one water alarm can monitor multiple sensors. (Maximum of 5 is recommended for easier location of water leaks.) 7 year warranty.

2.The Gizmode Water Alarm : This is a battery only water alarm with a very loud alarm: Sounds at 110+ db for up to 72 hours. Construction: Sturdy ABS plastic outer shell with 4 stainless steel sensors. Powered by a single 9 volt battery (not included) Low battery warning. Tip resistant. Moisture Sensors: Sensitive to low moisture levels. Standing water not required. Stainless steel sensors: Will not corrode nor stain. Sensor contacts sink deep into carpet, thus detecting the first signs of moisture below the carpet's surface. Size: 3" Diameter x 3" Tall. Takes up minimal space. Optional Sump Pump or Water Overflow Attachment. (Sold Separately). 1 year warranty.

3. The Water Screamer Stand Alone Water Alarm, 130 dB Alarm: This is an extremely loud stand alone water alarm and moisture alarm. Remember that a smoke or carbon monoxide alarm is 85 decibels. Use this in basements, near toilets, under sinks, near water heaters, etc. Powered by a single 9 volt battery, the Water Screamer by Gizmode is 4.5 inches in diameter and 2.5 inches tall. There are four stainless steel probes. Use on carpeting or hard flooring. This is a great unit for crawl spaces, condo complexes, etc. Avoid thousands or hundreds of thousands of dollars of damage plus inconvenience by using a Water Screamer that you can hear through walls!

4. The WaterHound moistures sensors: These are battery only or AC only (with adapters that are not included.) Each moisture sensor unit has a 65 dB alarm and a six foot sensor cord. Two versions are available, one with a single probe and one with two probes each on its own 6 foot sensor wire. Use as a stand alone remembering that 65 db is about the sound produced by a wrist watch alarm. These units are better used with the WaterCop which is a motorized ball valve that responds to radio signals from the Waterhound and shuts off the main water valve when signaled in the event of a moisture sensor alert. 1 year limited manufacturer's warranty.

So, if your concern is a window well, the better choice is the Gizmode Water Alarm. If you are concerned about water seeping in under a carpet, the Flood Detective would be least obtrusive. However the Gizmode would work as well. For use under a water dispensing refrigerator, the Flood Detective or the WaterHound are better choices since they do not require much room.

If you have additional questions, please contact us. We do offer discounts on purchases of quantities of any of these units.

Sincerely,

Barbara

Question about the FloodStop Water Heater 1.25 Inch Ball Valve NPT

Q: "What is the temperature range of the fluid this product can handle i.e., can it be used on a hot water line?"

Answer: Yes. All the FloodStop valves can be used on residential hot water applications. Safe Home Products sells several dual-valve FloodStop models for washing machines and sinks: one of the 2 valves in each kit will be installed on the hot water supply line. The temperature range is limited to what a typical residential water heater can reach, i.e 160 degrees F. Like any valve, the FloodStop valves should not be subjected to freezing temperatures.  These are lead free ball valves.

I’m curious about your application for the FS 1.25-NPT, as this unit is typically used for water heaters where the valve is placed on the inlet (cold) water supply. If you plan to use it on a water heater, you may not have considered the valve is installed before the water heater (cold water) and not after the water heater (hot water).

Feel free to contact us if you have additional questions. Thank you for your question.

Sincerely,
Barbara

Q regarding a WaterCop Motorized Actuator with 3/4 Inch Valve (SM-WVA-075): "I would like to use the WaterCop to shut off water flow to my home when I am going to be away. My plan is to install a remote wall switch near my back door.

• Should the power fail, what is the un-powered condition of this valve?
• In other words, does this valve automatically close when the power fails?
• Or, does the valve stay in whatever condition it was in when the power failed? Thank you"

Answer: The 3/4 inch brass ball valve remains in the same position (open or closed) as it was in when the power shuts off. So, if the valve was open, it remains open. If the valve is in a closed position, unscrew the actuator (4 screws) and use a wrench to open the water valve. Plug in the actuator when the power is restored and push the green button. Then reinstall the actuator to the valve platform. Remember if you want to use the WaterCop actuator as an automatic water shut off valve that responds to water leaks, you can buy the WaterHound moisture sensors separately. Just make sure the sensors and the actuator have the same "code" set.

Feel free to contact us if you have other questions about our products.

Sincerely, Barbara