Can I Integrate Existing Smoke Detectors with a 2GIG GC Touch?

Yes, the 2GIG GC Touch can interface with existing hardwired smoke detectors using a wireless takeover module. The 2GIG FF100-345 listens for the standard Temporal-3 alarm pattern from hardwired smoke detectors. It then sends a wireless signal to the panel to trigger an immediate fire alarm.

How Smoke Detector Integration Works

The 2GIG GC Touch (available in AT&T LTE and Verizon LTE versions) uses 345MHz wireless technology to communicate with sensors. Since most existing smoke detectors in homes are hardwired units that do not transmit wireless signals, they cannot communicate directly with the panel. A takeover module bridges this gap by detecting when your existing smoke detectors activate and converting that event into a wireless signal the panel can understand. The takeover module is programmed into the GC Touch using the same settings as a smoke detector.

The 2GIG FF100-345 is a popular option for this purpose. This device mounts near an existing smoke detector and uses a built-in microphone to listen for the standard Temporal-3 alarm pattern, which follows a repeating cadence of three beeps, a pause, then three more beeps and another pause. This cadence repeats over and over, usually until smoke clears. When the FF100-345 detects this pattern, it transmits a 345MHz wireless signal to your GC Touch.

In newer construction, the building code usually mandates that a home is outfitted with interconnected, hardwired smoke detectors. So, this method works especially well in these homes. When one detector is triggered, all linked detectors sound simultaneously. Because of this, you typically only need to install a single FF100-345 near one smoke detector to effectively monitor the entire system.

When deciding where to install the FF100-345, choose a smoke detector that is somewhat isolated from others, when possible. If the module can hear multiple detectors at once, it may have difficulty distinguishing the Temporal-3 pattern from the nearest detector. This can prevent the module from properly recognizing the alarm and signaling the panel.

How the FF100-345 Works with Hardwired Smoke Detectors

The 2GIG FF100-345 takeover module allows your existing hardwired smoke detectors to communicate with the GC Touch panel by listening for alarm sounds and converting them into wireless signals. The process works as follows:

• Smoke detected: A hardwired smoke detector senses smoke and enters alarm.
• All detectors sound: Because hardwired smoke detectors are interconnected, all units in the home begin sounding simultaneously.
• Temporal-3 pattern emitted: The detectors produce the standard alarm cadence, three beeps, followed by a pause, repeating continuously.
• FF100-345 listens: The takeover module detects the Temporal-3 sound pattern using its built-in microphone.
• Wireless signal sent: Once the pattern is recognized, the FF100-345 transmits a 345 MHz signal to the GC Touch panel.
• Panel triggers alarm: The GC Touch activates a fire alarm and sends a signal to the monitoring station, if monitoring is enabled.

Because all hardwired smoke detectors sound together, a single FF100-345 installed near one detector is typically sufficient to monitor the entire system. Here's another way to look at the process:

If you are an Alarm Grid customer and need assistance with firmware updates or panel configuration, contact our support team. You can call us at 888-818-7728 or email support@alarmgrid.com. Support is available Monday - Friday from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM Eastern Time. You can also visit www.alarmgrid.com to chat with a live agent between 9:00 AM and 6:00 PM Eastern Time.