This fall, approximately 225 business buildings in the Chicago suburb of Algonquin-Lake, Ill., will be switched over to a wireless fire alarm system if local trustees approve an initiative. Algonquin-Lake fire department officials say the switch to wireless would save many local businesses money and greatly reduce the number of false alarms.
According to the Daily Herald,businesses currently must have a fire alarm system that responds automatically when a fire breaks out. Those systems usually cost each building $30 to $40 per month. These alarm systems must also have a direct phone line, which costs between $40 and $80 depending on the type of phone line.
With the new radio system, each building would pay a monthly flat rate of $70 per radio. If a burglar alarm is attached to the system, the fee will increase to $90.
The initial $500,000 invested to purchase and install the radios would be recovered via the monthly fees of each business.
