Question:
My builder is installing a fair number (7, I think) of Coleman Firex AD (or ADC) smoke alarms in my new house. There's one in the common area on each floor, plus one in each bedroom area. They're all interconnected to sound simultaneously if one of them triggers. Is there any reasonable way to connect these units to a security panel? If not, should I install totally separate smoke alarms, or replace these with ones I can connect to the panel. Since these are AC powered, I'm not sure I can run fire alarm wire to the same locations without freaking out the electrical inspector.

What other fire/smoke/heat detector locations should I run wire to?

Any advice appreciated, as soon as possible. I did most of the pre-wire on the house today (about 5,000' of wire in), and I'm finishing up tomorrow. I'll have some opportunity to fix things during the week, but I expect they'll be doing wallboard before the weekend.

Answer: No you cannot add them to the security panel. These units cannot be removed because of the new building codes. They are required. Check with your electrical inspector to make sure. If you wish to add smoke detectors with the secuirty system. Make sure to use 18/4 Fire Rated wire (red jacket). If you are using 4 wies smoke detectors, you must also use a power supervision relay connected to the last smoke detector. If your panel is capable of using two wire smoke detectors (which I recommend), you may use 18/2 wire instead. No supervision relay is needed for 2 wire smokes. If you have a split bedroom plan, install one smoke at each side (in the general area of the electric smokes). Loop the smoke detectors. In other words, you should have only one smoke circuit. From the panel run the fire wire to the first smoke. Then, from the first smoke go to the second. You should also be aware that if the keypads have fire buttons you must also use 22/4 fire rated cable. Your sirens also should be 18/2 fire cable & looped if you have more than one. Check & see if your panel has a siren supervision circuit. You will want to install the EOL resistor at the last siren.Your transformer line should also be 18/2 fire cable.