Flood Sensors Posts

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FortrezZ is discontinuing another of its Z-Wave products due to its inability to source some required components. For this reason, Alarm.com no longer recommends its installation. Installed units will continue to work, and Alarm.com will continue to offer troubleshooting support for them.

This may be the result of the supply chain issues experienced a few years ago. FortrezZ was forced to discontinue the MIMOlite some time ago, and now we're seeing the discontinuation of their Water Valve. Products already purchased and/or installed are not affected by this news.

If you already have a FortrezZ Water Valve (WV-01) but haven't installed it yet, no worries. It should still install and operate as expected. If you have any problems related to integrating the water valve with Alarm.com, you can still get assistance from tech support. If you are an Alarm Grid monitoring customer, we offer free technical support as well.

If you were thinking of purchasing a FortrezZ Water Valve, but missed the opportunity, you have other options available. We offer the Alarm.com Z-Wave Plus Smart Water Valve and Meter, and the Alarm.com Z-Wave Plus Smart Water Valve. The Alarm.com smart water valves use Z-Wave Plus and can be used with any Alarm.com compatible panel that supports Z-Wave or Z-Wave Plus.

Left, Alarm.com Z-Wave Plus Smart Water Valve with Meter. Right, Alarm.com Z-Wave Plus Smart Water Valve:

In addition to the Alarm.com options, we also offer the Qolsys IQ Water Valve. It's available in two (2) separate kits. The PowerG Kit offers the IQ Water Valve with two (2) DSC PG9985 Flood Sensors. The S-Line Kit offers the water valve with three (3) Qolsys IQ Flood-S 319.5 MHz S-Line Flood Sensors. If purchasing one of these kits, be sure to take into account what panel the kit is meant to work with. All Qolsys IQ Panel 4 versions can support PowerG while only some can support 319.5 MHz S-Line sensors.

Below left, IQ Water Valve w/ Qolsys S-Line Flood Sensors. Right, IQ Water Valve w/ PowerG Flood Sensors:


A smart water valve is most advantageous when used in conjunction with flood sensors. If a water leak is detected by a sensor, it can alert the alarm system. Then, the system can use that information to run a rule or scene to automatically shut off the water main to the home or business. Having this type of protection can save on homeowner's insurance premiums, and can prevent widespread damage and loss to your home or business.

Specifications for Alarm.com ADC-SWM150:

  • Device Type: Z-Wave Plus Smart Water Valve and Meter
  • Power: 100-240VAC
  • Operating Temperature: 14°F to 185°F
  • Indoor/Outdoor: Indoor Use Only
  • Valve Size: 1"
  • Valve Threads: Male NPT
  • Valve Portability: NSF/ANSI 61 and 372 Standards
  • Control Unit Dimensions: 2.75"L x 4.0"W x 1.25"D
  • Meter and Valve Dimensions: 11"L x 5.75"W x 3.75"D
  • Actuator and Valve Dimensions: 2.0"L x 4.5"W x 3.75"D
  • Maximum Compatible Pipe Size: 1.25"
  • Power Supply Cable Length: 19.7 Feet
  • Package Contents: Control Unit, Valve & Meter, Enclosure, Power Adapter, Manual Shut-Off Handle, Cable Ties (x5), Wall Bracket, Wall Anchors (x2), Screws (x2)

Specifications for Alarm.com ADC-SWV100:

  • Power: 100 - 240 VAC (50/60 Hz)
  • Operating Temperature: 14°F to 185°F (-10°C to 85°C)
  • Communication: Z-Wave Plus
  • Indoor/Outdoor: For indoor use only
  • Valve Specifications:
    • Size: 1"
    • Threads: Female NPT
    • Potability: Conforms to NSF/ANSI 61 and 372 standards for potability
  • Control Unit Dimensions: 2.75 x 4.0 x 1.25” (6.99 x 10.2 x 3.18 cm)
  • Actuator and Valve Dimensions: 2.0 x 4.5 x 3.75” (5.08 x 11.43 x 9.53 cm)
  • Maximum Compatible Pipe Size: 1.25" (3.175 cm)
  • Power Supply Cable Length: 19.7’ (6 m)
  • Plumbing Certifications:
    • ICC-ES-PMG (compliance with NSF 61 and NSF 372)
    • Massachusetts Accepted Plumbing Products Registry

Specifications for Qolsys IQ Water Valve:

  • Product Type: Smart Water Valve
  • Kit Contents: Qolsys IQ Smart Water Valve, Qolsys IQ Flood-S Sensor
  • Communication: Z-Wave Plus V2 700-Series
  • Range: Approx. 130 Feet Indoors or 450 Feet Outdoors
  • Application: Quarter-Turn Ball Valve Pipes from 1/2" to 1-1/4"
  • Maximum Force: 8 N.m
  • Ingress Protection: IP66 (Waterproof & Dustproof)
  • Power Supply: Plug-in Transformer - AC (110V 60Hz / 220V 50Hz), DC (12V/1A) - Barrel jack
  • Weight: 603g (21.2 oz)
  • Size: 5.83" x 3.78" x 5.24" (148mm x 96mm x 133mm)
  • Operating Temperature: 14°F to 121°F (-10℃ to 49.4℃)

Specifications for DSC PG9985 Flood Sensor:

  • Device Type: Wireless Flood Sensor
  • Operating Frequency: PowerG 915 MHz
  • Wireless Range: ~2,000 Feet Open Air
  • Water Detection Probe: Attached w/ 6-Foot Cord
  • Batteries: Single CR123A (~8 Year Life)
  • Mounting Hardware: Double-Sided Foam Tape (Included)
  • Dimensions: 3.1875" x 1.25" x 1.0" (81mm x 34mm x 25mm)
  • Operating Temperature: 14°F to 122°F (-10℃ to 50℃)
  • Weight: 53g (1.9oz)

Specifications for Qolsys IQ Flood-S Flood Sensor:

  • Device Type: Wireless Flood Sensor
  • Operating Frequency: 319.5 MHz
  • Wireless Range: ~600 Nominal Feet
  • Water Detection Probe: Attached w/ 6-Foot Cord
  • Signal Outputs: Tamper & Tamper Restore, Alarm & Alarm Restore, Low-Battery
  • Supervisory Interval: 70 Minutes
  • Batteries: Two (2) Lithium CR2032 Coin Batteries
  • Mounting Hardware: Double-Sided Foam Tape (Included)
  • Dimensions: 2.5"L x 1"W x 0.5"D (64mm x 25mm x 13mm)
  • Operating Temperature: 14°F to 122°F (-10℃ to 50℃)

In addition to the options listed above, there is also the Honeywell/Resideo 5821 that can be used in conjunction with the FP280 flood probe. This sensor will work with any of the Qolsys IQ4 panels that support 345 MHz RF devices. A panel with one or more of these sensors can be used to automate any of the water valves listed in this post.

What are your thoughts on the discontinuation of another FortrezZ Z-Wave device? Have you encountered similar issues with other products? Drop us a comment and let us hear from you. If you have a specific support question, you can send us an email to support@alarmgrid.com. We're here providing support Monday - Friday from 9:00 am until at least 6:00 pm Eastern Time each day. We list holiday hours and closings in our blog.

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FortrezZ is discontinuing another of its Z-Wave products due to its inability to source some required components. For this reason, Alarm.com no longer recommends its installation. Installed units will continue to work, and Alarm.com will continue to offer troubleshooting support for them.

This may be the result of the supply chain issues experienced a few years ago. FortrezZ was forced to discontinue the MIMOlite some time ago, and now we're seeing the discontinuation of their Water Valve. Products already purchased and/or installed are not affected by this news.

If you already have a FortrezZ Water Valve (WV-01) but haven't installed it yet, no worries. It should still install and operate as expected. If you have any problems related to integrating the water valve with Alarm.com, you can still get assistance from tech support. If you are an Alarm Grid monitoring customer, we offer free technical support as well.

If you were thinking of purchasing a FortrezZ Water Valve, but missed the opportunity, you have other options available. We offer the Alarm.com Z-Wave Plus Smart Water Valve and Meter, and the Alarm.com Z-Wave Plus Smart Water Valve. The Alarm.com smart water valves use Z-Wave Plus and can be used with any Alarm.com compatible panel that supports Z-Wave or Z-Wave Plus.

Left, Alarm.com Z-Wave Plus Smart Water Valve with Meter. Right, Alarm.com Z-Wave Plus Smart Water Valve:

In addition to the Alarm.com options, we also offer the Qolsys IQ Water Valve. It's available in two (2) separate kits. The PowerG Kit offers the IQ Water Valve with two (2) DSC PG9985 Flood Sensors. The S-Line Kit offers the water valve with three (3) Qolsys IQ Flood-S 319.5 MHz S-Line Flood Sensors. If purchasing one of these kits, be sure to take into account what panel the kit is meant to work with. All Qolsys IQ Panel 4 versions can support PowerG while only some can support 319.5 MHz S-Line sensors.

Below left, IQ Water Valve w/ Qolsys S-Line Flood Sensors. Right, IQ Water Valve w/ PowerG Flood Sensors:


A smart water valve is most advantageous when used in conjunction with flood sensors. If a water leak is detected by a sensor, it can alert the alarm system. Then, the system can use that information to run a rule or scene to automatically shut off the water main to the home or business. Having this type of protection can save on homeowner's insurance premiums, and can prevent widespread damage and loss to your home or business.

Specifications for Alarm.com ADC-SWM150:

  • Device Type: Z-Wave Plus Smart Water Valve and Meter
  • Power: 100-240VAC
  • Operating Temperature: 14°F to 185°F
  • Indoor/Outdoor: Indoor Use Only
  • Valve Size: 1"
  • Valve Threads: Male NPT
  • Valve Portability: NSF/ANSI 61 and 372 Standards
  • Control Unit Dimensions: 2.75"L x 4.0"W x 1.25"D
  • Meter and Valve Dimensions: 11"L x 5.75"W x 3.75"D
  • Actuator and Valve Dimensions: 2.0"L x 4.5"W x 3.75"D
  • Maximum Compatible Pipe Size: 1.25"
  • Power Supply Cable Length: 19.7 Feet
  • Package Contents: Control Unit, Valve & Meter, Enclosure, Power Adapter, Manual Shut-Off Handle, Cable Ties (x5), Wall Bracket, Wall Anchors (x2), Screws (x2)

Specifications for Alarm.com ADC-SWV100:

  • Power: 100 - 240 VAC (50/60 Hz)
  • Operating Temperature: 14°F to 185°F (-10°C to 85°C)
  • Communication: Z-Wave Plus
  • Indoor/Outdoor: For indoor use only
  • Valve Specifications:
    • Size: 1"
    • Threads: Female NPT
    • Potability: Conforms to NSF/ANSI 61 and 372 standards for potability
  • Control Unit Dimensions: 2.75 x 4.0 x 1.25” (6.99 x 10.2 x 3.18 cm)
  • Actuator and Valve Dimensions: 2.0 x 4.5 x 3.75” (5.08 x 11.43 x 9.53 cm)
  • Maximum Compatible Pipe Size: 1.25" (3.175 cm)
  • Power Supply Cable Length: 19.7’ (6 m)
  • Plumbing Certifications:
    • ICC-ES-PMG (compliance with NSF 61 and NSF 372)
    • Massachusetts Accepted Plumbing Products Registry

Specifications for Qolsys IQ Water Valve:

  • Product Type: Smart Water Valve
  • Kit Contents: Qolsys IQ Smart Water Valve, Qolsys IQ Flood-S Sensor
  • Communication: Z-Wave Plus V2 700-Series
  • Range: Approx. 130 Feet Indoors or 450 Feet Outdoors
  • Application: Quarter-Turn Ball Valve Pipes from 1/2" to 1-1/4"
  • Maximum Force: 8 N.m
  • Ingress Protection: IP66 (Waterproof & Dustproof)
  • Power Supply: Plug-in Transformer - AC (110V 60Hz / 220V 50Hz), DC (12V/1A) - Barrel jack
  • Weight: 603g (21.2 oz)
  • Size: 5.83" x 3.78" x 5.24" (148mm x 96mm x 133mm)
  • Operating Temperature: 14°F to 121°F (-10℃ to 49.4℃)

Specifications for DSC PG9985 Flood Sensor:

  • Device Type: Wireless Flood Sensor
  • Operating Frequency: PowerG 915 MHz
  • Wireless Range: ~2,000 Feet Open Air
  • Water Detection Probe: Attached w/ 6-Foot Cord
  • Batteries: Single CR123A (~8 Year Life)
  • Mounting Hardware: Double-Sided Foam Tape (Included)
  • Dimensions: 3.1875" x 1.25" x 1.0" (81mm x 34mm x 25mm)
  • Operating Temperature: 14°F to 122°F (-10℃ to 50℃)
  • Weight: 53g (1.9oz)

Specifications for Qolsys IQ Flood-S Flood Sensor:

  • Device Type: Wireless Flood Sensor
  • Operating Frequency: 319.5 MHz
  • Wireless Range: ~600 Nominal Feet
  • Water Detection Probe: Attached w/ 6-Foot Cord
  • Signal Outputs: Tamper & Tamper Restore, Alarm & Alarm Restore, Low-Battery
  • Supervisory Interval: 70 Minutes
  • Batteries: Two (2) Lithium CR2032 Coin Batteries
  • Mounting Hardware: Double-Sided Foam Tape (Included)
  • Dimensions: 2.5"L x 1"W x 0.5"D (64mm x 25mm x 13mm)
  • Operating Temperature: 14°F to 122°F (-10℃ to 50℃)

In addition to the options listed above, there is also the Honeywell/Resideo 5821 that can be used in conjunction with the FP280 flood probe. This sensor will work with any of the Qolsys IQ4 panels that support 345 MHz RF devices. A panel with one or more of these sensors can be used to automate any of the water valves listed in this post.

What are your thoughts on the discontinuation of another FortrezZ Z-Wave device? Have you encountered similar issues with other products? Drop us a comment and let us hear from you. If you have a specific support question, you can send us an email to support@alarmgrid.com. We're here providing support Monday - Friday from 9:00 am until at least 6:00 pm Eastern Time each day. We list holiday hours and closings in our blog.

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Resideo announced last week that due to a required component becoming obsolete, they are forced to discontinue the popular 5800FLOOD sensor. There is still some available stock, so Alarm Grid has not yet discontinued it, but once all stock has been exhausted, the 5800FLOOD is gone for good.

The 5800FLOOD is popular because unlike the 5821, it doesn't require that a water probe be added to the sensor. Water detection is built-in, and configuration is easy. Another benefit of the 5800FLOOD is that it will alert for flooding more quickly than the 5821. The prongs of the 5800FLOOD need only be in contact with water for about 25 seconds before a signal is sent to the alarm panel. The 5821 flood probe must be in contact with water for about three (3) minutes before sending a signal.

In addition to flood sensing, the 5800FLOOD also monitors for extreme cold and/or hot temperatures locally. This is done using a temperature sensor that is built into the 5800FLOOD. For cold temperature sensing, if the ambient temperature drops below 45℉ (7.2℃) for more than 15 minutes, an alert is sent using Loop 1. For high-temperature sensing, if the temperature rises above 95℉ (35℃) for more than 15 minutes, then an alert is sent using Loop 2. The flood sensor transmits using Loop 3.

Now that the 5800FLOOD is being discontinued, the Resideo and Honeywell Home 5821 is the recommended replacement. One drawback to the 5821 is that it requires a remote probe be added for flood sensing, and for freeze sensing. However, only one (1) remote probe can be used per transmitter, so if you need to monitor for both flood and freeze, two (2) 5821s are required.

The 5821 supports the following functions:

Loop Number Sensing Capability Description
Loop 1 Ambient Low Temperature Sensing <45℉ (7.2℃) >10 Minutes sends alert
Loop 2 - Local Ambient Warm/Hot Temperature Sensing >75℉ (23.8℃) >10 Minutes sends alert; >95℉ (35℃) >10 minutes sends alert. Disabled when any remote probe is used!
Loop 2 - Remote Using T280R or TS300R Remote Probe Freeze Sensing >10℉ (-12.2℃) for 30 minutes; Refrigerator Sensing >42℉ (5.5℃) for 30 minutes. Can't be used if the Flood Probe is used.
Loop 3 - Remote Uses FP280 or 470PB Remote Probe Flood Sensing - Signals when the probe's terminals have been in contact with at least 1/4" of water for > 3 Minutes. Can't be used if the Temp Probe is used.

For flood sensing, we recommend using the FP280 as it includes wiring, and the required resistor is already in place. With the 470PB, the user is responsible for providing their own wire and must add the 2.2 MΩ resistor themselves. In all cases, wiring between the 5821 and whichever remote probe is used should be made as short as possible, and should not exceed 96" (243cm). Be sure to read the full Install Guide for the 5821 for all of its various quirks.

Supply chain shortages claim another victim in the 5800FLOOD. It seems like only yesterday that we were excitedly telling you about it. What are your thoughts on the demise of this "New and Improved" environmental sensor? Leave us a note in the comments, as we always love hearing from our readers.

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Resideo announced last week that due to a required component becoming obsolete, they are forced to discontinue the popular 5800FLOOD sensor. There is still some available stock, so Alarm Grid has not yet discontinued it, but once all stock has been exhausted, the 5800FLOOD is gone for good.

The 5800FLOOD is popular because unlike the 5821, it doesn't require that a water probe be added to the sensor. Water detection is built-in, and configuration is easy. Another benefit of the 5800FLOOD is that it will alert for flooding more quickly than the 5821. The prongs of the 5800FLOOD need only be in contact with water for about 25 seconds before a signal is sent to the alarm panel. The 5821 flood probe must be in contact with water for about three (3) minutes before sending a signal.

In addition to flood sensing, the 5800FLOOD also monitors for extreme cold and/or hot temperatures locally. This is done using a temperature sensor that is built into the 5800FLOOD. For cold temperature sensing, if the ambient temperature drops below 45℉ (7.2℃) for more than 15 minutes, an alert is sent using Loop 1. For high-temperature sensing, if the temperature rises above 95℉ (35℃) for more than 15 minutes, then an alert is sent using Loop 2. The flood sensor transmits using Loop 3.

Now that the 5800FLOOD is being discontinued, the Resideo and Honeywell Home 5821 is the recommended replacement. One drawback to the 5821 is that it requires a remote probe be added for flood sensing, and for freeze sensing. However, only one (1) remote probe can be used per transmitter, so if you need to monitor for both flood and freeze, two (2) 5821s are required.

The 5821 supports the following functions:

Loop Number Sensing Capability Description
Loop 1 Ambient Low Temperature Sensing <45℉ (7.2℃) >10 Minutes sends alert
Loop 2 - Local Ambient Warm/Hot Temperature Sensing >75℉ (23.8℃) >10 Minutes sends alert; >95℉ (35℃) >10 minutes sends alert. Disabled when any remote probe is used!
Loop 2 - Remote Using T280R or TS300R Remote Probe Freeze Sensing >10℉ (-12.2℃) for 30 minutes; Refrigerator Sensing >42℉ (5.5℃) for 30 minutes. Can't be used if the Flood Probe is used.
Loop 3 - Remote Uses FP280 or 470PB Remote Probe Flood Sensing - Signals when the probe's terminals have been in contact with at least 1/4" of water for > 3 Minutes. Can't be used if the Temp Probe is used.

For flood sensing, we recommend using the FP280 as it includes wiring, and the required resistor is already in place. With the 470PB, the user is responsible for providing their own wire and must add the 2.2 MΩ resistor themselves. In all cases, wiring between the 5821 and whichever remote probe is used should be made as short as possible, and should not exceed 96" (243cm). Be sure to read the full Install Guide for the 5821 for all of its various quirks.

Supply chain shortages claim another victim in the 5800FLOOD. It seems like only yesterday that we were excitedly telling you about it. What are your thoughts on the demise of this "New and Improved" environmental sensor? Leave us a note in the comments, as we always love hearing from our readers.

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Freezing and water damage accounted for 29.4% of Homeowner's Insurance losses by cause in 2019*. From 2015 - 2019, the weighted average cost per accident year was $11,000* for freezing and water damage. Only fire and lightning damage was more costly. But flood damage can often be avoided.

At this time of year, with the worst of winter still ahead of us, our thoughts always turn to incidents of flooding which are caused predominantly by freezing temperatures. In many instances, homeowner's insurance companies want proof that there is both freeze and flood protection in a dwelling as a condition of insurance, or in order to provide the best available rate. With just a few added sensors and tweaks, your existing alarm system can help you prevent freezing and flood damage. Below we'll outline some products and strategies that can help.

To properly protect against this type of damage, it is helpful to know when the temperature in a building drops low enough to cause concern. There are many sensors that can assist in this, and in many cases, a sensor may perform double duty. There are motion detectors that also have built-in freeze sensing, as well as smoke, heat, and combination sensors. Here's a list of just a few, and the systems they are compatible with:

Product Description Compatibility
Honeywell 5808W3 Smoke/Heat/Freeze Sensor.
When programmed (Loop 3), activates when temp drops below 41℉ (+5℃)
Compatible with any Honeywell 5800 Series Receiver, including VISTA panels with a separate receiver added, 2GIG panels, and Qolsys panels** with the 345 MHz SRF Receiver. Honeywell ProSeries Panels require a PROTAKEOVER module.
Honeywell 5821 Wireless temperature and water sensor.
To monitor for both Cold and Flood detection, use the integrated temp sensor plus an FP280 or 470PB.
Loop 1 = Cold (for temps below 45℉ (+7.2℃) for more than 10 minutes)
Loop 3 = Flood
Set Dips 1 = OFF and 2 = ON
Compatible with any Honeywell 5800 Series Receiver, including VISTA panels with a separate receiver added, 2GIG panels, and Qolsys panels with the 345 MHz SRF Receiver. Honeywell ProSeries Panels require a PROTAKEOVER module.
2GIG SMKT8e-345 Wireless Encrypted Smoke/Heat/Freeze sensor
Low Temp sensing = Loop 3
Senses low temperature when the temperature drops below 40℉ (+4.4℃). Restores when the temperature rises to 45℉ (+7.2℃)
Compatible with 2GIG GC2e, 2GIG GC3e, and 2GIG Edge only
2GIG SMKT8-345 Wireless Smoke/Heat/Freeze sensor
Low Temp sensing = Loop 3
Senses low temperature when the temperature drops below 40℉ (+4.4℃). Restores when the temperature rises to 45℉ (+7.2℃)
Compatible with any 2GIG panel, Qolsys 345 MHz version, and Honeywell Lyric (Version MR3+) and ProSeries with PROTAKEOVER
Winland TA-40 Wired Fixed Temperature Freeze Alert. Fixed temperature alert when the temperature drops below 39.2℉ (+4℃) Compatible with any Normally Closed wired zone input.
Qolsys IQ Temp-S Wireless S-Line Encrypted 319.5 MHz Temp Sensor.
Low Temp sensing when the temperature drops below 40℉ (+4.4℃)
High Temp sensing when the temperature rises above 100℉ (+37.7℃)
Compatible with Qolsys and Interlogix panels that support 319.5 MHz wireless sensors.
2GIG FT6e-345 Wireless encrypted Flood and Temp Sensor.
Loop 1 = Flood Sensing
Loop 2 = High Temp (95℉ (+35℃) for three (3) minutes or more.
Loop 3 = Freeze Detection (41℉ (+5℃) or lower for three (3) minutes or more.)

Compatible with 2GIG GC2e, 2GIG GC3e, and 2GIG Edge panels only.
2GIG FT6-345 Wireless Flood and Temp Sensor.
Loop 1 = Flood Sensing
Loop 2 = High Temp (95℉ (+35℃) for three (3) minutes or more.
Loop 3 = Freeze Detection (41℉ (+5℃) or lower for three (3) minutes or more.)
Compatible with all 2GIG panels, Qolsys panels that support 345 MHz sensors, Honeywell Lyric panels (Version MR3+), and ProSeries Panels with the PROTAKEOVER.
DSC PG9905 Wireless Encrypted PowerG Temp Sensor.
Temperature threshold is set in panel programming
Compatible with all Qolsys IQ Panel 2 Plus, all Qolsys IQ Panel 4, and DSC PowerSeries Neo panels and PowerSeries Pro panels with a PowerG transceiver added.
2GIG FT1-345 Wireless Flood and Temp Sensor.
Flood = Loop 1
High Temp = Loop 2
Low Temp = Loop 3
For flood, probe must be shorted by water for 3 minutes, and restores once short is removed for 3 minutes.
High Temp setpoint is 95℉ (35℃).
Low Temp setpoint is 42℉ (5.5℃)
Compatible with all 2GIG panels, Qolsys panels that support 345 MHz sensors, Honeywell Lyric panels, and ProSeries Panels with the PROTAKEOVER added.
Qolsys IQ Temp Wireless 319.5 MHz Temp Sensor.
Low Temp sensing when the temperature drops below 40℉ (+4.4℃)
High Temp sensing when the temperature rises above 100℉ (+37.7℃)
Compatible with Qolsys and Interlogix panels that support 319.5 MHz wireless sensors.

With any of the low-temperature sensing devices above, you can be alerted to dangerously low temperatures within a building. Alerts can come in the form of an email, text, or push notification from either Alarm.com or Total Connect 2.0, a call from the monitoring station, or both. With a Z-Wave or WIFI thermostat you can adjust the temperature when the HVAC system is working, or contact an HVAC service technician when it isn't.

Some of the devices listed in the table above combine freeze and flood sensing into a single unit. Of course, avoiding the presence of water in a location where it shouldn't be is optimal, but in some cases, it may not be possible. Flooding isn't always the result of freezing water pipes. With a flood sensor, you can be alerted to these situations and then take action accordingly. Alarm Grid offers a variety of both wired and wireless flood sensors. Some are listed above. Those and others can be found here.

If you can't control what's happening with the temperature in a location, then the next step in avoiding flood damage is controlling the flow of water. If you have a water shut-off valve within the building, then a Z-Wave water valve is just the thing you need to save the day (and a good deal of money). Once you receive a notification that a freeze condition is possible, or that a flood situation is underway, with Alarm.com or Total Connect 2.0 service, you can either set up a scene to automatically shut off the water within the premises, or you can manually log in and do so remotely.

Product Description
Qolsys S-Line IQ Water Valve Kit

Qolsys IQ Water Valve - Install Guide
Qolsys IQ Flood-S - Quick Install Guide
This kit comes with a Z-Wave 700 Series Water Valve and 319.5 MHz Water Sensor (Qolsys IQ Flood-S, see in table above).
The water valve is a retrofit servo that fits 1/4 turn ball valves. It can be used on pipes from 1/2" to 1 1/4". It does not require installation by a plumber.
Qolsys PowerG IQ Water Valve Kit

DSC PG9985 - Install Guide
This kit comes with a Z-Wave 700 Series Water Valve and a PowerG Encrypted Water Sensor (DSC PG9985, see in table above).
The water valve is a retrofit servo that fits 1/4 turn ball valves. It can be used on pipes from 1/2" to 1 1/4". It does not require installation by a plumber.
Alarm.com ADC-SWM150 Smart Water Valve and Meter

User Guide
In the USA can fit up to 1" water main distribution pipes.
This smart water valve, when used with Alarm.com can help you track water usage in addition to allowing you to control the flow of water.
This device should be installed by a licensed and insured plumber.
The Smart Water Valve plus Meter has a backflow preventer. It is not recommended that it be installed directly on the water heater's main suply line.
Alarm.com ADC-SWV100 Z-Wave Plus Water Valve

Install Guide
Can fit up to 1" water main distribution pipes.
Be sure to install this unit downstream from the indoor main water shut-off valve. Observe all plumbing codes and ordinances and obtain a proper permit for installation. Installation by a licensed and insured plumber is advised.
This device is made by Alarm.com, but should work with any Z-Wave Controller.
Leak Intel Leak Gopher LGZW-1

Install Guide
3/4" Z-Wave Water Shut-off Valve.
This valve should be installed downstream from the main indoor water shut-off.
It is advised to have this unit installed by a licensed and insured plumber for best results.
Should be compatible with any Z-Wave Controller.
When installed, ON may indicate that water is OFF, while a status of OFF for the water valve, may indicate that the water is ON.

With a combination of freeze and flood sensors, and a Z-Wave Water Valve, you can anticipate potential low-temperature flooding issues, be alerted to non-freeze-related flooding issues, and either automatically or manually turn off the water before damage occurs. Check with your homeowner's insurance agent to see if there are any discounts available on your policy if you add freeze and/or flood protection with an automated water shut-off option. You may be surprised at how quickly this equipment can pay for itself, even if you never have to use it.

*Statistics are taken from the Insurance Information Institute at iii.org.

**Qolsys Panels come in a variety of versions. All IQ Panel 2 Plus and IQ Panel 4 versions support PowerG wireless sensors. Then in addition, there are versions that support 319.5 MHz wireless, including S-Line Sensors. There are also versions that support 345 MHz wireless and 433 MHz wireless. When purchasing a Qolsys panel, or a sensor that will be used with a Qolsys panel, be sure to match the receiver type with the sensor type. Panels that support 319.5 MHz come in a box with a Gold stripe. Panels that support 345 MHz sensors come in a box with a Silver or Gray stripe, and those that support 433 MHz sensors have a Red stripe on the box.

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Freezing and water damage accounted for 29.4% of Homeowner's Insurance losses by cause in 2019*. From 2015 - 2019, the weighted average cost per accident year was $11,000* for freezing and water damage. Only fire and lightning damage was more costly. But flood damage can often be avoided.

At this time of year, with the worst of winter still ahead of us, our thoughts always turn to incidents of flooding which are caused predominantly by freezing temperatures. In many instances, homeowner's insurance companies want proof that there is both freeze and flood protection in a dwelling as a condition of insurance, or in order to provide the best available rate. With just a few added sensors and tweaks, your existing alarm system can help you prevent freezing and flood damage. Below we'll outline some products and strategies that can help.

To properly protect against this type of damage, it is helpful to know when the temperature in a building drops low enough to cause concern. There are many sensors that can assist in this, and in many cases, a sensor may perform double duty. There are motion detectors that also have built-in freeze sensing, as well as smoke, heat, and combination sensors. Here's a list of just a few, and the systems they are compatible with:

Product Description Compatibility
Honeywell 5808W3 Smoke/Heat/Freeze Sensor.
When programmed (Loop 3), activates when temp drops below 41℉ (+5℃)
Compatible with any Honeywell 5800 Series Receiver, including VISTA panels with a separate receiver added, 2GIG panels, and Qolsys panels** with the 345 MHz SRF Receiver. Honeywell ProSeries Panels require a PROTAKEOVER module.
Honeywell 5821 Wireless temperature and water sensor.
To monitor for both Cold and Flood detection, use the integrated temp sensor plus an FP280 or 470PB.
Loop 1 = Cold (for temps below 45℉ (+7.2℃) for more than 10 minutes)
Loop 3 = Flood
Set Dips 1 = OFF and 2 = ON
Compatible with any Honeywell 5800 Series Receiver, including VISTA panels with a separate receiver added, 2GIG panels, and Qolsys panels with the 345 MHz SRF Receiver. Honeywell ProSeries Panels require a PROTAKEOVER module.
2GIG SMKT8e-345 Wireless Encrypted Smoke/Heat/Freeze sensor
Low Temp sensing = Loop 3
Senses low temperature when the temperature drops below 40℉ (+4.4℃). Restores when the temperature rises to 45℉ (+7.2℃)
Compatible with 2GIG GC2e, 2GIG GC3e, and 2GIG Edge only
2GIG SMKT8-345 Wireless Smoke/Heat/Freeze sensor
Low Temp sensing = Loop 3
Senses low temperature when the temperature drops below 40℉ (+4.4℃). Restores when the temperature rises to 45℉ (+7.2℃)
Compatible with any 2GIG panel, Qolsys 345 MHz version, and Honeywell Lyric (Version MR3+) and ProSeries with PROTAKEOVER
Winland TA-40 Wired Fixed Temperature Freeze Alert. Fixed temperature alert when the temperature drops below 39.2℉ (+4℃) Compatible with any Normally Closed wired zone input.
Qolsys IQ Temp-S Wireless S-Line Encrypted 319.5 MHz Temp Sensor.
Low Temp sensing when the temperature drops below 40℉ (+4.4℃)
High Temp sensing when the temperature rises above 100℉ (+37.7℃)
Compatible with Qolsys and Interlogix panels that support 319.5 MHz wireless sensors.
2GIG FT6e-345 Wireless encrypted Flood and Temp Sensor.
Loop 1 = Flood Sensing
Loop 2 = High Temp (95℉ (+35℃) for three (3) minutes or more.
Loop 3 = Freeze Detection (41℉ (+5℃) or lower for three (3) minutes or more.)

Compatible with 2GIG GC2e, 2GIG GC3e, and 2GIG Edge panels only.
2GIG FT6-345 Wireless Flood and Temp Sensor.
Loop 1 = Flood Sensing
Loop 2 = High Temp (95℉ (+35℃) for three (3) minutes or more.
Loop 3 = Freeze Detection (41℉ (+5℃) or lower for three (3) minutes or more.)
Compatible with all 2GIG panels, Qolsys panels that support 345 MHz sensors, Honeywell Lyric panels (Version MR3+), and ProSeries Panels with the PROTAKEOVER.
DSC PG9905 Wireless Encrypted PowerG Temp Sensor.
Temperature threshold is set in panel programming
Compatible with all Qolsys IQ Panel 2 Plus, all Qolsys IQ Panel 4, and DSC PowerSeries Neo panels and PowerSeries Pro panels with a PowerG transceiver added.
2GIG FT1-345 Wireless Flood and Temp Sensor.
Flood = Loop 1
High Temp = Loop 2
Low Temp = Loop 3
For flood, probe must be shorted by water for 3 minutes, and restores once short is removed for 3 minutes.
High Temp setpoint is 95℉ (35℃).
Low Temp setpoint is 42℉ (5.5℃)
Compatible with all 2GIG panels, Qolsys panels that support 345 MHz sensors, Honeywell Lyric panels, and ProSeries Panels with the PROTAKEOVER added.
Qolsys IQ Temp Wireless 319.5 MHz Temp Sensor.
Low Temp sensing when the temperature drops below 40℉ (+4.4℃)
High Temp sensing when the temperature rises above 100℉ (+37.7℃)
Compatible with Qolsys and Interlogix panels that support 319.5 MHz wireless sensors.

With any of the low-temperature sensing devices above, you can be alerted to dangerously low temperatures within a building. Alerts can come in the form of an email, text, or push notification from either Alarm.com or Total Connect 2.0, a call from the monitoring station, or both. With a Z-Wave or WIFI thermostat you can adjust the temperature when the HVAC system is working, or contact an HVAC service technician when it isn't.

Some of the devices listed in the table above combine freeze and flood sensing into a single unit. Of course, avoiding the presence of water in a location where it shouldn't be is optimal, but in some cases, it may not be possible. Flooding isn't always the result of freezing water pipes. With a flood sensor, you can be alerted to these situations and then take action accordingly. Alarm Grid offers a variety of both wired and wireless flood sensors. Some are listed above. Those and others can be found here.

If you can't control what's happening with the temperature in a location, then the next step in avoiding flood damage is controlling the flow of water. If you have a water shut-off valve within the building, then a Z-Wave water valve is just the thing you need to save the day (and a good deal of money). Once you receive a notification that a freeze condition is possible, or that a flood situation is underway, with Alarm.com or Total Connect 2.0 service, you can either set up a scene to automatically shut off the water within the premises, or you can manually log in and do so remotely.

Product Description
Qolsys S-Line IQ Water Valve Kit

Qolsys IQ Water Valve - Install Guide
Qolsys IQ Flood-S - Quick Install Guide
This kit comes with a Z-Wave 700 Series Water Valve and 319.5 MHz Water Sensor (Qolsys IQ Flood-S, see in table above).
The water valve is a retrofit servo that fits 1/4 turn ball valves. It can be used on pipes from 1/2" to 1 1/4". It does not require installation by a plumber.
Qolsys PowerG IQ Water Valve Kit

DSC PG9985 - Install Guide
This kit comes with a Z-Wave 700 Series Water Valve and a PowerG Encrypted Water Sensor (DSC PG9985, see in table above).
The water valve is a retrofit servo that fits 1/4 turn ball valves. It can be used on pipes from 1/2" to 1 1/4". It does not require installation by a plumber.
Alarm.com ADC-SWM150 Smart Water Valve and Meter

User Guide
In the USA can fit up to 1" water main distribution pipes.
This smart water valve, when used with Alarm.com can help you track water usage in addition to allowing you to control the flow of water.
This device should be installed by a licensed and insured plumber.
The Smart Water Valve plus Meter has a backflow preventer. It is not recommended that it be installed directly on the water heater's main suply line.
Alarm.com ADC-SWV100 Z-Wave Plus Water Valve

Install Guide
Can fit up to 1" water main distribution pipes.
Be sure to install this unit downstream from the indoor main water shut-off valve. Observe all plumbing codes and ordinances and obtain a proper permit for installation. Installation by a licensed and insured plumber is advised.
This device is made by Alarm.com, but should work with any Z-Wave Controller.
Leak Intel Leak Gopher LGZW-1

Install Guide
3/4" Z-Wave Water Shut-off Valve.
This valve should be installed downstream from the main indoor water shut-off.
It is advised to have this unit installed by a licensed and insured plumber for best results.
Should be compatible with any Z-Wave Controller.
When installed, ON may indicate that water is OFF, while a status of OFF for the water valve, may indicate that the water is ON.

With a combination of freeze and flood sensors, and a Z-Wave Water Valve, you can anticipate potential low-temperature flooding issues, be alerted to non-freeze-related flooding issues, and either automatically or manually turn off the water before damage occurs. Check with your homeowner's insurance agent to see if there are any discounts available on your policy if you add freeze and/or flood protection with an automated water shut-off option. You may be surprised at how quickly this equipment can pay for itself, even if you never have to use it.

*Statistics are taken from the Insurance Information Institute at iii.org.

**Qolsys Panels come in a variety of versions. All IQ Panel 2 Plus and IQ Panel 4 versions support PowerG wireless sensors. Then in addition, there are versions that support 319.5 MHz wireless, including S-Line Sensors. There are also versions that support 345 MHz wireless and 433 MHz wireless. When purchasing a Qolsys panel, or a sensor that will be used with a Qolsys panel, be sure to match the receiver type with the sensor type. Panels that support 319.5 MHz come in a box with a Gold stripe. Panels that support 345 MHz sensors come in a box with a Silver or Gray stripe, and those that support 433 MHz sensors have a Red stripe on the box.

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We're checking out the best environmental sensors for our top security system picks for the 2020 holiday shopping season, which are the Honeywell Lyric, the Qolsys IQ Panel 2 Plus, and the 2GIG GC3e. Environmental sensors include life-safety sensors, flood sensors, and temperature sensors.


If you haven't seen our alarm panel 2020 holiday buying guide or our security sensor 2020 holiday buying guide, then be sure to go and check those out, as they will give a nice introduction to this buying guide for environmental sensors. You will need to make the same compatibility considerations for environmental sensors as you do for security sensors. The sensors you choose must be compatible with your system and communicate at a wireless frequency that is accepted by the alarm panel you are using.

As a refresher, here are the compatible sensor lineups for our recommended systems. Just like last time, the sensor lineups that are italicized and underlined represent the encrypted sensors that provide extra wireless security and protection.

While security sensors look for signs of forced entry and unauthorized access, environmental sensors look for undesirable environmental conditions. Specifically, we offer environmental sensors that look for life-threatening conditions, such as a fire or the presence of carbon monoxide (CO) gas. We also offer environmental sensors for detecting floods, water leaks, and unusually high or low temperatures that indicate a broken HVAC system. We will cover each type of environmental sensor in greater detail later in this holiday buying guide.

Adding environmental sensors to your system offers a few advantages. For one, it makes your alarm system more versatile so that it is looking for more than just security breaches. You will also be able to check off more boxes on your certificate of alarm (CoA), and that could lead to bigger savings on your home owner's insurance. Make sure to check with your insurance company to see if that is the case.

Life-Safety Sensors

Life-safety sensors monitor for unsafe environmental conditions that could result in a loss of life. Specifically, this group is primarily comprised of smoke and heat detectors and carbon monoxide sensors. There are also special combination sensors and listening modules that we will discuss further down the line.

First, we will take a look at some of our most popular smoke and heat detectors. These sensors monitor for both the smoke and extremely high temperatures associated with a fire. It is recommended that you have at least one (1) of these sensors on each floor of your building, particularly inside of sleeping areas and in central and connecting areas such as living rooms and hallways.

When checking out these sensors, you might also look for one-go-all-go functionality. This means that when one detector on the network activates, all of the other compatible sensors on the network will also activate their sounders. This can be very important for ensuring that everyone is alerted to the emergency. Certain jurisdictions may require one-go-all-go as part of building codes, so check with your local fire marshal to see if that is the case.

Here are our top picks for smoke and heat detectors.

Sensor Name
Product Lineup
Compatibility
Range
Encryption
Notes
Honeywell SiXSMOKE

Honeywell SiX Series Lyric 300 Nominal Feet 128-bit AES Encrypted photoelectric smoke detector and 135°F fixed temperature and 15°F per minute rate-of-rise heat detector w/ 85 dB sounder. Supports One-Go-All-Go.
DSC PG9936

PowerG All IQ Panel 2 Plus 2,000 Feet Open Air 128-bit AES Encrypted photoelectric smoke detector and 135°F fixed temperature heat detector w/ 85 dB sounder. Supports One-Go-All-Go.
2GIG SMKT8e-345

2GIG eSeries 2GIG GC3e 350 Nominal Feet 2GIG eSeries encryption Encrypted photoelectric smoke detector and 15°F per minute rate-of-rise heat detector when fixed temperature is 104°F or higher w/ 90 dB sounder and freeze detection at 40°F.
Honeywell 5808W3

Honeywell 5800 Series Lyric, GC3e, 345 MHz IQ2+ 200 Nominal Feet None Non-encrypted photoelectric smoke detector and 135°F fixed temperature heat detector w/ 85 dB sounder and freeze detection at 41°F.

Now let's look at carbon monoxide sensors. These devices respond upon detecting unusually high levels of carbon monoxide (CO) gas. This gas is both odorless and tasteless, making it virtually impossible to detect without a proper sensor. The gas is extremely harmful to humans, and it can result in serious injury or death in a matter of minutes. We recommend installing at least one CO detector on each floor of your home or office. They are often installed outside of garages and furnace rooms where CO events are most likely to occur.

Here are our top picks for carbon monoxide sensors.

Sensor Name
Product Lineup
Compatibility
Range
Encryption Notes
DSC PG9933

PowerG All IQ Panel 2 Plus 2,000 Feet Open Air 128-bit AES PowerG CO Detector w/ 85 dB sounder.
2GIG CO8e

2GIG eSeries 2GIG GC3e 350 Nominal Feet 2GIG eSeries encryption 2GIG eSeries CO Detector w/ 85 dB sounder.
Honeywell 5800CO

Honeywell 5800 Series Lyric, GC3e, 345 MHz IQ2+ 200 Nominal Feet None Honeywell 5800 Series CO Detector w/ 85 dB sounder.
2GIG CO8

2GIG 345 MHz Series Lyric, GC3e, 345 MHz IQ2+ 350 Nominal Feet None 2GIG CO Detector w/ 85 dB sounder.
Qolsys IQ Carbon

Qolsys 319.5 MHz Series 319.5 MHz IQ Panel 2 Plus 300 Nominal Feet None Qolsys CO Detector w/ 85 dB sounder.

We also want to give some special recognition to some combination smoke and CO detectors from Honeywell. These sensors combine fire detection with carbon monoxide detection into one convenient life-safety device.

Here are our top picks for combination smoke and CO detectors.

Sensor Name
Product Lineup
Compatibility Range
Encryption Notes
Honeywell SiXCOMBO

Honeywell SiX Series Lyric 300 Nominal Feet 128-bit AES Encrypted photoelectric smoke detector and 135°F fixed temperature heat detector and CO detector w/ 85 dB sounder. Supports One-Go-All-Go.
Honeywell 5800COMBO

Honeywell 5800 Series Lyric, GC3e, 345 MHz IQ2+ 200 Nominal Feet None Encrypted photoelectric smoke detector and 135°F fixed temperature heat detector and CO detector w/ 85 dB sounder and freeze detection at 41°F.

Lastly, we want to mention a pair of listening modules. These devices actively listen for the Temporal 3 (T3) sound of an activated smoke detector or the Temporal 4 (T4) sound of an activated carbon monoxide sensor. These are commonly used with wired smoke detectors and CO detectors that would otherwise have no way of interfacing with an alarm system. If your smoke detectors or CO detectors are one-go-all-go, then, a single listening module can take over your entire wired detector network.

Here are our top picks for smoke & CO listening modules.

Sensor Name
Product Lineup
Compatibility
Range
Encryption
Notes
Encore FireFighter FF345

Encore 345 MHz Series Lyric, GC3e, 345 MHz IQ2+ 200 Nominal Feet None Offers both T3 Detection for Fire & T4 Detection for CO
Interlogix SLX-AD-T3
Legacy Interlogix 319.5 MHz 319.5 MHz IQ Panel 2 Plus 200 Nominal Feet None Only offers T3 Detection for Fire. Not for use with CO detectors.

Flood Sensors

Next, we'll be looking at flood sensors. These devices use probes to detect water caused by a flood or leak. It only takes a small amount of liquid to activate one of these sensors, so your system will be alerted before any serious damage occurs. Many of these sensors double as temperature sensors, so expect to see quite a bit of cross-over with that section as well. For best results, use your flood sensors in low-plane areas where leaks are likely to occur, such as underneath toilets, water heaters, and in basements. You might also see that some flood sensor have a reporting delay that is used for false alarm prevention. This will be listed in the notes section in the table when applicable.

Let's check out our top picks for flood sensors.

Sensor Name
Product Lineup
Compatibility
Range
Encryption
Notes
DSC PG9985

PowerG All IQ Panel 2 Plus 2,000 Feet Open Air 128-bit AES PowerG Flood Sensor w/ 6-Foot Detection Probe.
2GIG FT6e-345

2GIG eSeries 2GIG GC3e 350 Nominal Feet 2GIG eSeries Encryption 2GIG eSeries Flood Sensor w/ High Temperature Detection @ 95°F and Freeze Detection @ 41°F.
Qolsys IQ Flood-S

Qolsys S-Line Series 319.5 MHz IQ Panel 2 Plus 600 Nominal Feet Qolsys S-Line Encryption Qolsys S-Line Flood Sensor w/ 6-Foot Detection Probe. Has a 1 to 3 minute reporting delay.
Honeywell 5800FLOOD

Honeywell 5800 Series Lyric, GC3e, 345 MHz IQ2+ 200 Nominal Feet None Honeywell 5800 Series Flood Sensor w/ High Temperature Detection @ 95°F and Freeze Detection @ 45°F. Has a 25 second reporting delay.
2GIG FT6-345

2GIG 345 MHz Series Lyric, GC3e, 345 MHz IQ2+ 350 Nominal Feet None 2GIG 345 MHz Flood Sensor w/ High Temperature Detection @ 95°F and Freeze Detection @ 41°F.

Temperature Sensors

The final type of environmental sensors we'll be checking out are temperature sensors. These sensors look for unusually high or low temperatures that indicate a broken HVAC system. When a temperature sensor is used for high-temperature detection, it should not be confused with a heat detector that looks for extreme temperatures only associated with fires. Instead, the high-end for a temperature sensor will usually activate at around 90°F. When a temperature sensor is used for low-temperature detection, it will sometimes be referred to as a freeze sensor. On the low-end, a freeze sensor will typically activate at a slightly higher than the temperature at which water freezes, which is 32°F. This is done to give the end user a bit of notice so that they can take action before the pipes freeze. You can typically expect a freeze sensor to activate between 40°F and 45°F. Most temperature sensors will offer both high and low temperature detection. And just like in the previous category, there is a lot of crossover with flood sensors, so you may see some repeats from the previous selection.

Here are our top picks for temperature sensors.

Sensor Name
Product Lineup
Compatibility
Range
Encryption
Notes
DSC PG9905

PowerG All IQ Panel 2 Plus 2,000 Feet Open Air 128-bit AES PowerG Temperature Sensor w/ customizable high and low temperature detection.
2GIG FT6e-345

2GIG eSeries
2GIG GC3e
350 Nominal Feet
2GIG eSeries Encryption
2GIG eSeries Flood Sensor w/ High Temperature Detection @ 95°F and Freeze Detection @ 41°F.
Qolsys IQ Temp-S

Qolsys S-Line Series 319.5 MHz IQ Panel 2 Plus 600 Nominal Feet Qolsys S-Line Encryption Qolsys S-Line Temperature Sensor w/ High Temperature Detection @ 100°F and Low Temperature Detection at 40°F.
Honeywell 5800FLOOD

Honeywell 5800 Series
Lyric, GC3e, 345 MHz IQ2+ 200 Nominal Feet
None
Honeywell 5800 Series Flood Sensor w/ High Temperature Detection @ 95°F and Freeze Detection @ 45°F. Has a reporting delay of 25 seconds.
2GIG FT6-345

2GIG 345 MHz Series
Lyric, GC3e, 345 MHz IQ2+
350 Nominal Feet
None 2GIG 345 MHz Flood Sensor w/ High Temperature Detection @ 95°F and Freeze Detection @ 41°F.

Contact Us

Remember to contact us if you have any questions about environmental sensors or their compatibility. The best way to reach us is to email support@alarmgrid.com. This is also a good email to use if you are interested in starting new monitoring service. Remember that we are available to check email from 9am to 8pm ET M-F. We look forward to hearing from you!

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We're checking out the best environmental sensors for our top security system picks for the 2020 holiday shopping season, which are the Honeywell Lyric, the Qolsys IQ Panel 2 Plus, and the 2GIG GC3e. Environmental sensors include life-safety sensors, flood sensors, and temperature sensors.


If you haven't seen our alarm panel 2020 holiday buying guide or our security sensor 2020 holiday buying guide, then be sure to go and check those out, as they will give a nice introduction to this buying guide for environmental sensors. You will need to make the same compatibility considerations for environmental sensors as you do for security sensors. The sensors you choose must be compatible with your system and communicate at a wireless frequency that is accepted by the alarm panel you are using.

As a refresher, here are the compatible sensor lineups for our recommended systems. Just like last time, the sensor lineups that are italicized and underlined represent the encrypted sensors that provide extra wireless security and protection.

While security sensors look for signs of forced entry and unauthorized access, environmental sensors look for undesirable environmental conditions. Specifically, we offer environmental sensors that look for life-threatening conditions, such as a fire or the presence of carbon monoxide (CO) gas. We also offer environmental sensors for detecting floods, water leaks, and unusually high or low temperatures that indicate a broken HVAC system. We will cover each type of environmental sensor in greater detail later in this holiday buying guide.

Adding environmental sensors to your system offers a few advantages. For one, it makes your alarm system more versatile so that it is looking for more than just security breaches. You will also be able to check off more boxes on your certificate of alarm (CoA), and that could lead to bigger savings on your home owner's insurance. Make sure to check with your insurance company to see if that is the case.

Life-Safety Sensors

Life-safety sensors monitor for unsafe environmental conditions that could result in a loss of life. Specifically, this group is primarily comprised of smoke and heat detectors and carbon monoxide sensors. There are also special combination sensors and listening modules that we will discuss further down the line.

First, we will take a look at some of our most popular smoke and heat detectors. These sensors monitor for both the smoke and extremely high temperatures associated with a fire. It is recommended that you have at least one (1) of these sensors on each floor of your building, particularly inside of sleeping areas and in central and connecting areas such as living rooms and hallways.

When checking out these sensors, you might also look for one-go-all-go functionality. This means that when one detector on the network activates, all of the other compatible sensors on the network will also activate their sounders. This can be very important for ensuring that everyone is alerted to the emergency. Certain jurisdictions may require one-go-all-go as part of building codes, so check with your local fire marshal to see if that is the case.

Here are our top picks for smoke and heat detectors.

Sensor Name
Product Lineup
Compatibility
Range
Encryption
Notes
Honeywell SiXSMOKE

Honeywell SiX Series Lyric 300 Nominal Feet 128-bit AES Encrypted photoelectric smoke detector and 135°F fixed temperature and 15°F per minute rate-of-rise heat detector w/ 85 dB sounder. Supports One-Go-All-Go.
DSC PG9936

PowerG All IQ Panel 2 Plus 2,000 Feet Open Air 128-bit AES Encrypted photoelectric smoke detector and 135°F fixed temperature heat detector w/ 85 dB sounder. Supports One-Go-All-Go.
2GIG SMKT8e-345

2GIG eSeries 2GIG GC3e 350 Nominal Feet 2GIG eSeries encryption Encrypted photoelectric smoke detector and 15°F per minute rate-of-rise heat detector when fixed temperature is 104°F or higher w/ 90 dB sounder and freeze detection at 40°F.
Honeywell 5808W3

Honeywell 5800 Series Lyric, GC3e, 345 MHz IQ2+ 200 Nominal Feet None Non-encrypted photoelectric smoke detector and 135°F fixed temperature heat detector w/ 85 dB sounder and freeze detection at 41°F.

Now let's look at carbon monoxide sensors. These devices respond upon detecting unusually high levels of carbon monoxide (CO) gas. This gas is both odorless and tasteless, making it virtually impossible to detect without a proper sensor. The gas is extremely harmful to humans, and it can result in serious injury or death in a matter of minutes. We recommend installing at least one CO detector on each floor of your home or office. They are often installed outside of garages and furnace rooms where CO events are most likely to occur.

Here are our top picks for carbon monoxide sensors.

Sensor Name
Product Lineup
Compatibility
Range
Encryption Notes
DSC PG9933

PowerG All IQ Panel 2 Plus 2,000 Feet Open Air 128-bit AES PowerG CO Detector w/ 85 dB sounder.
2GIG CO8e

2GIG eSeries 2GIG GC3e 350 Nominal Feet 2GIG eSeries encryption 2GIG eSeries CO Detector w/ 85 dB sounder.
Honeywell 5800CO

Honeywell 5800 Series Lyric, GC3e, 345 MHz IQ2+ 200 Nominal Feet None Honeywell 5800 Series CO Detector w/ 85 dB sounder.
2GIG CO8

2GIG 345 MHz Series Lyric, GC3e, 345 MHz IQ2+ 350 Nominal Feet None 2GIG CO Detector w/ 85 dB sounder.
Qolsys IQ Carbon

Qolsys 319.5 MHz Series 319.5 MHz IQ Panel 2 Plus 300 Nominal Feet None Qolsys CO Detector w/ 85 dB sounder.

We also want to give some special recognition to some combination smoke and CO detectors from Honeywell. These sensors combine fire detection with carbon monoxide detection into one convenient life-safety device.

Here are our top picks for combination smoke and CO detectors.

Sensor Name
Product Lineup
Compatibility Range
Encryption Notes
Honeywell SiXCOMBO

Honeywell SiX Series Lyric 300 Nominal Feet 128-bit AES Encrypted photoelectric smoke detector and 135°F fixed temperature heat detector and CO detector w/ 85 dB sounder. Supports One-Go-All-Go.
Honeywell 5800COMBO

Honeywell 5800 Series Lyric, GC3e, 345 MHz IQ2+ 200 Nominal Feet None Encrypted photoelectric smoke detector and 135°F fixed temperature heat detector and CO detector w/ 85 dB sounder and freeze detection at 41°F.

Lastly, we want to mention a pair of listening modules. These devices actively listen for the Temporal 3 (T3) sound of an activated smoke detector or the Temporal 4 (T4) sound of an activated carbon monoxide sensor. These are commonly used with wired smoke detectors and CO detectors that would otherwise have no way of interfacing with an alarm system. If your smoke detectors or CO detectors are one-go-all-go, then, a single listening module can take over your entire wired detector network.

Here are our top picks for smoke & CO listening modules.

Sensor Name
Product Lineup
Compatibility
Range
Encryption
Notes
Encore FireFighter FF345

Encore 345 MHz Series Lyric, GC3e, 345 MHz IQ2+ 200 Nominal Feet None Offers both T3 Detection for Fire & T4 Detection for CO
Interlogix SLX-AD-T3
Legacy Interlogix 319.5 MHz 319.5 MHz IQ Panel 2 Plus 200 Nominal Feet None Only offers T3 Detection for Fire. Not for use with CO detectors.

Flood Sensors

Next, we'll be looking at flood sensors. These devices use probes to detect water caused by a flood or leak. It only takes a small amount of liquid to activate one of these sensors, so your system will be alerted before any serious damage occurs. Many of these sensors double as temperature sensors, so expect to see quite a bit of cross-over with that section as well. For best results, use your flood sensors in low-plane areas where leaks are likely to occur, such as underneath toilets, water heaters, and in basements. You might also see that some flood sensor have a reporting delay that is used for false alarm prevention. This will be listed in the notes section in the table when applicable.

Let's check out our top picks for flood sensors.

Sensor Name
Product Lineup
Compatibility
Range
Encryption
Notes
DSC PG9985

PowerG All IQ Panel 2 Plus 2,000 Feet Open Air 128-bit AES PowerG Flood Sensor w/ 6-Foot Detection Probe.
2GIG FT6e-345

2GIG eSeries 2GIG GC3e 350 Nominal Feet 2GIG eSeries Encryption 2GIG eSeries Flood Sensor w/ High Temperature Detection @ 95°F and Freeze Detection @ 41°F.
Qolsys IQ Flood-S

Qolsys S-Line Series 319.5 MHz IQ Panel 2 Plus 600 Nominal Feet Qolsys S-Line Encryption Qolsys S-Line Flood Sensor w/ 6-Foot Detection Probe. Has a 1 to 3 minute reporting delay.
Honeywell 5800FLOOD

Honeywell 5800 Series Lyric, GC3e, 345 MHz IQ2+ 200 Nominal Feet None Honeywell 5800 Series Flood Sensor w/ High Temperature Detection @ 95°F and Freeze Detection @ 45°F. Has a 25 second reporting delay.
2GIG FT6-345

2GIG 345 MHz Series Lyric, GC3e, 345 MHz IQ2+ 350 Nominal Feet None 2GIG 345 MHz Flood Sensor w/ High Temperature Detection @ 95°F and Freeze Detection @ 41°F.

Temperature Sensors

The final type of environmental sensors we'll be checking out are temperature sensors. These sensors look for unusually high or low temperatures that indicate a broken HVAC system. When a temperature sensor is used for high-temperature detection, it should not be confused with a heat detector that looks for extreme temperatures only associated with fires. Instead, the high-end for a temperature sensor will usually activate at around 90°F. When a temperature sensor is used for low-temperature detection, it will sometimes be referred to as a freeze sensor. On the low-end, a freeze sensor will typically activate at a slightly higher than the temperature at which water freezes, which is 32°F. This is done to give the end user a bit of notice so that they can take action before the pipes freeze. You can typically expect a freeze sensor to activate between 40°F and 45°F. Most temperature sensors will offer both high and low temperature detection. And just like in the previous category, there is a lot of crossover with flood sensors, so you may see some repeats from the previous selection.

Here are our top picks for temperature sensors.

Sensor Name
Product Lineup
Compatibility
Range
Encryption
Notes
DSC PG9905

PowerG All IQ Panel 2 Plus 2,000 Feet Open Air 128-bit AES PowerG Temperature Sensor w/ customizable high and low temperature detection.
2GIG FT6e-345

2GIG eSeries
2GIG GC3e
350 Nominal Feet
2GIG eSeries Encryption
2GIG eSeries Flood Sensor w/ High Temperature Detection @ 95°F and Freeze Detection @ 41°F.
Qolsys IQ Temp-S

Qolsys S-Line Series 319.5 MHz IQ Panel 2 Plus 600 Nominal Feet Qolsys S-Line Encryption Qolsys S-Line Temperature Sensor w/ High Temperature Detection @ 100°F and Low Temperature Detection at 40°F.
Honeywell 5800FLOOD

Honeywell 5800 Series
Lyric, GC3e, 345 MHz IQ2+ 200 Nominal Feet
None
Honeywell 5800 Series Flood Sensor w/ High Temperature Detection @ 95°F and Freeze Detection @ 45°F. Has a reporting delay of 25 seconds.
2GIG FT6-345

2GIG 345 MHz Series
Lyric, GC3e, 345 MHz IQ2+
350 Nominal Feet
None 2GIG 345 MHz Flood Sensor w/ High Temperature Detection @ 95°F and Freeze Detection @ 41°F.

Contact Us

Remember to contact us if you have any questions about environmental sensors or their compatibility. The best way to reach us is to email support@alarmgrid.com. This is also a good email to use if you are interested in starting new monitoring service. Remember that we are available to check email from 9am to 8pm ET M-F. We look forward to hearing from you!

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We are now in the month of December, and 2019 is quickly approaching its end. Now is the time to start preparing for the winter ahead. We have products that are perfect for the winter, including freeze sensors, flood sensors, and doorbell cameras. Make sure you and your family are ready!

2gig ft6 345 wireless flood and temperature detectorWhether you love it or hate it, you likely know what winter brings for most of the country. There will likely be some cold weather and snow. The holiday season will also be happening soon, and presents will be sent out. Although Alarm Grid doesn't have anything to help you shovel your driveway or defrost your car windshield, we do have some important accessories that will help ensure that your winter season is a good one.

Today, we have three product categories that we would like to discuss. Making sure that you have these devices set up and running is very important for the winter season. Let's check them out!


Freeze Sensors

Honeywell 5821 wireless temperature sensor and water sensor exte

When it gets cold out, you will definitely want to have some temperature sensors or freeze sensors ready to go. These devices alert your system when the temperature drops to an unusually low level because of a broken HVAC system. Most temperature sensors can detect both unusually high and low temperatures, so they are also good for the summer months.

These devices will usually activate around 40°F. This is high enough above freezing so that you will have time to take action, but still way lower than you would ever keep your home. Total Connect 2.0 can even send you alerts regarding an activated freeze sensor. Alarm.com users can get similar alerts using a Z-Wave thermostat.


Flood Sensors

Dsc pg9985 powerg 915mhz wireless flood detector

You might not think of flooding during the winter months. But many house floods occur when snow melts, and the water needs some place to go. You can use flood sensors to detect water leaks before they result in serious damage. Many temperature sensors also double as flood sensors, so you certainly have many environmental sensors to choose from!

The typical flood sensor uses a probe and will activate upon detecting a very small amount of water. This is important for ensuring that you are alerted before a water leak develops into a serious problem. And interactive platforms like Total Connect 2.0 and Alarm.com can send you alerts for activated flood sensors.


Doorbell Cameras

Skybell dbcam hd video doorbellAmazon is going to be busier than ever this holiday season delivering packages across the country. With packages being delivered faster than ever, package thieves are becoming a serious concern. Stolen presents won't lead to a merry holiday season, especially if you don't have any evidence of the crime. This is why you should definitely install a doorbell camera.

By using footage from a doorbell camera, you can catch any package thief red-handed. These devices are also great for checking who is at your door from your phone, without having to get up. After all, it might be a delivery, or it might just be some annoying solicitor. Most doorbell cameras will support a mobile app that you can use to check the live feed from anywhere. The SkyBell Cameras sold on our website are perfect for this!


We're Here to Help!

Need help choosing the perfect items for your home? Alarm Grid is here to help. We are happy to discuss our services and find the perfect products for your needs. The best way to contact us is to email support@alarmgrid.com. Remember that our support hours run from 9am to 8pm ET M-F. We look forward to helping you this winter season and beyond!

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Just last week, Resideo purchased startup company Buoy Labs. This is the first acquisition from Resideo since the company completed its spin-off from Honeywell in October of last year. The purchase of Buoy Labs should greatly assist Resideo in its technology for environmental sensors.


Buoy Labs is best known for its smart home products that allow users to track the amount of water they use and quickly identify leaks. Their lineup fits in perfectly with Resideo. The company already offers many great flood detecting sensors. These include the Honeywell 5800FLOOD and the Honeywell 5821 when used with a Honeywell 470PB Probe or Honeywell FP280 Probe. Many of our monitored customers use these sensors to receive alerts in the event of a water leak. They can then take action before serious water damage occurs. This equipment works great with the wireless panels from Resideo, including the Honeywell Lyric Controller.

We believe that this acquisition will help Resideo make fantastic strides in its offering of environmental sensors, particularly for flood sensors. Buoy Labs has an impressive portfolio of smart home water management and water leak detection products. Resideo has cited industry studies claiming that homeowner's insurance companies pay more than $9 billion in water damage claims every year. The average claim is roughly $9,000. With the purchase of Buoy Labs, we expect that Resideo will achieve great success in reducing these figures and preventing house floods. And if you still don't think flood sensors are important, think again.

Alarm Grid will certainly keep you up-to-date with the latest news regarding any new environmental or flood sensors released from Resideo. This acquisition means Resideo has some big plans in store, and we are very excited to see what the future holds. Stick with Alarm Grid as we move forward in the exciting worlds of security, property protection and home automation!

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