Nest smoke detectors discontinued - smart detector alternative

jahar on 04/05/2023 - 16:11

Hi all,

I've previously posted about getting Google Nest smoke detectors, however I while I was delayed in replacing my current smoke detectors with Google Nest, I hear that they've been discontinued.

Are there any other reliable smart detectors / systems out there? They will be used in an open plan warehouse office setup. My main requirement is that I know when the alarms are going off. The current smoke detectors seem to be failing a lot with false alarms in the middle of the night due to bugs/dust which then disturbs the residential neighbours. The ceilings are quite high so I need to remotely (from within a few metres is fine, not offsite) switch them off if there's no emergency, and we also have unifi access points for wifi, so some systems may not work with that.

Thanks for any advice!

Electrical & Electronics

Comments

  • nickw444 on 04/05/2023 - 16:24

    If you were to only need “monitoring” when away from home, I believe that the latest Apple HomePod software supports sending alerts when it hears a smoke alarm, so that may allow you to continue to use a non-smart option. Albeit, that means you would need a broom handy to silence them in the case of a false alarm.

  • odgregg on 04/05/2023 - 16:26

    Where have you heard they are discontinued? I can't find any articles specifying that, and they are still available in the Google online store.

    • Hybroid on 04/05/2023 - 16:40
      +2

      Official blogpost: https://www.googlenestcommunity.com/t5/Blog/An-update-for-ou…

      So starting April 8, 2024 support will stop for Nest Secure. Until that date, all current features will remain available and you can continue using your Nest Secure as you do now. After that date, your Nest Secure will no longer be accessible in the Nest app.

      Makes you question if you should really buy any other of these smart devices/service when they can disappear anytime. Apparently Alexa's on rocky ground too.

      • odgregg on 04/05/2023 - 16:42

        That's for their security system, not the Smoke & CO2 detectors.

        • Hybroid on 04/05/2023 - 16:45
          +1

          Hmm not sure where OP got the info from then. Or maybe they too misunderstood the above.

          I don't have any Nest products so assumed "Nest Secure" was the system for all of their devices.

          • odgregg on 04/05/2023 - 16:48

            @Hybroid: Yeah, could be a bit confusing. We've had Nest smoke alarms for 5.5 years now and they've been great (although expensive). It's also a coincidence that I got a smoke alert today while at work (my wife was home cooking)… it's the first time I've received an alert when I haven't been home! Fortunately I received another alert about 20 seconds later to say they'd been silenced, so knew she was there.

        • AustriaBargain on 04/05/2023 - 17:05

          What about their CO detectors?

  • rkeniger on 04/05/2023 - 16:58

    AFAIK the Nest smoke alarms don't conform to the newest building code, which requires all smoke detectors to be 240v and hard-wired together. I had to get rid of all our Nest alarms and install dumb Clipsal ones instead or the certifier would not have signed off our extension build.

    • odgregg on 04/05/2023 - 17:20

      Seems to be state by state the regulations. eg. in Tasmania it's only for new builds where a building permit is required, and it needs to be 240v connected (which Nest offers) or 10 year battery.

    • deme on 04/05/2023 - 17:44

      You mean this hardwired one right here https://www.officeworks.com.au/shop/officeworks/p/google-nes…

    • akyeeeahdude on 04/05/2023 - 18:16

      Not quite - I'll use QLD as an example which seem to lead in terms of introducing the toughest smoke alarm regulations soonest. Interconnected and non user removable battery (for non-hardwired alarms) for rentals was in place from 1 January 2022 regardless if the house was under a current lease (mid way through). It also required a smoke alarm to be installed in each bedroom.

      The battery powered Nest doesn't comply as it has a removable battery - new regulations stipulate the battery of non-hardwired alarms needing to be not user replaceable/removable.

      The hardwired Nest does comply with Australian Standard 3786-2014 - you're not quite right with your assessment/your certifier doesn't understand the Nest specifications (or you've tried to throw in battery powered Nests into the mix which will be knocked back on the removable battery). The Nest alarms are interconnected and compliant - you can't mix them with other/different smoke alarms though as they they aren't considered to be interconnected, as per the info on the site below:

      "be interconnected with every other ‘required’ smoke alarm in the dwelling so all activate together."

      https://www.qfes.qld.gov.au/prepare/fire/smoke-alarms/existi…

  • HansGruber on 04/05/2023 - 17:41
    +2

    Nest smoke alarms are called Nest Protect not Nest Secure. What I understand (witnessing through my use of Google Home and Google Nest products) is that Google are in the process of moving all Nest features from the Nest app to the Google Home app. They seem to be doing a slow but steady transition. Nest Protect hasn’t been transition yet but I expect they will. The Nest Temperature Sensors which support the Nest Smart Thermostat recently transitioned between the apps which I appreciated as we have them in three rooms and can now see them in Google Home app. The temperature sensors are not as common as the Protect but support continues in the Google Home environment. Give me confidence the Protect line will continue to be supported. I know Google does drop products and services but I haven’t heard that the Protects are in danger. They are a great product from my experience and I have the 240v option.

    • jahar on 09/05/2023 - 16:43

      So the consensus is that they should be fine to invest in yes?

  • BewareOfThe Dog on 05/05/2023 - 09:56
    +1

    Still some stock around at major retailers.

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