Master Guard

[IGO4IT]

does any have any info. on the Master guard fire protection systems? It uses the photo-electric smoke detectors and 117 degree heat detectors. Is it really worth all the money it costs? any info would be apreciated.

[mtnfireguy]

The sales tactics which they use have come under question by many communities. The cost is another factor. My personal opinion and that of many others is that a standard smoke detector ($5 at Wal Mart) is just as effective as there system with can be several hundred to several thousands of dollars.

I was involved with a structure fire several years ago that had the heat alarms installed and the alarm did not activate. The trailer was totalled by the fire. The alarm was installed according to their instructions and was wound, however the "fuse" failed to function properly.

[Dalmatian90]

Hmmmm, let's see...

The Mechanical Heat Detectors sell for about $200 each. Let's take an "average" three bedroom house. Need one for each room or so, so let's sell you 3 for the bedrooms, one for the kitchen, one for the living room, and one for the basement stairs. That's $1200 just for the MHDs -- which are local alarm only (from the bell ringing from the wind-up spring drive). Plus still need to add in the Photo-electric smoke detectors which complement the capabilities of the MHDs (and under a settlement with the Feds for deceptive trade practices in the past, must be marketed with the MHDs) for about $50/each -- another $400 so we're up to $1600 and still don't have whole house notification to let people out of earshot or hearing impaired know. Still don't have central alarm notification to get the FD headed your way.

$1600 should buy you a professionally installed, centrally monitored alarm system combining photoelectric and ion style smoke detectors, plus heat alarms where they make sense (such as in a kitchen or bath area where smoke alarms can have frequent false alarms, or dusty garages & attics). Plus you'll probably have enough of the $1600 left over to afford a year or two of the central station monitoring. Fire in one part of the house? Everyone hears it right away, if you having hearing impaired they see the strobe the alarm company put up for you, the central station gets the call and calls the FD for you -- whether you're at work, on errands, or trapped in the bedroom.

$1600 would also probably buy at least half of a residential sprinkler system that would put most fires out before they threaten your life or health.

Nope, can't see spending $200/detector for the Masterguard Mechanical Heat Detectors, especially when they only provide local (ear shot of the bell) notification...not that people would be sleeping with air conditioners running and their bedroom doors closed or anything like that.

By the way, the $200/unit MHD and $50/unit PE Smoke Detector price was what people going through the home sales pitches where being quoted...anyone know the current prices?

[IGO4IT]

the price i was quoted was about $300 per unit. including smoke,heat and CO., that was why i started this question.