Smoke alarm detection

Projects General Guidance
1

Smoke alarm detection is part of a home security project I'm working on. I'm seeking advice on using a 'local' microcontroller to detect smoke alarm activation and sending a 'smoke alarm activated' signal to a 'master' Arduino. My initial thinking is to make use of the smoke alarms battery as a power source. Doing so, power conservation is a must. Although I've not investigated much, I'm pretty sure I can make use of 'sleep mode' of an Atmel AVR device on a DIY board using perhaps an Attiny85 or like device or using a smaller Arduino such as a mini or micro. Any thoughts on that?

There are most likely several ways to have the smoke detector wake up the micro controller. One that comes to mind is tapping off the alarm's escape light. Any other ideas?

What are your thoughts on what low power, wireless means of transmitting that detection to a 'master' Arduino is most practical? Line of sight is not practical.

All that aside, would it be possible to make use of Kiddie wireless (RF) smoke detectors?

Thanks - Scotty

2

I wouldrecommend reading this to pick up some tips on interfacing

With regards to the link back to your master arduino, why not a couple of Xbee's?

3

Interesting read. Thanks. I only knew the isotope type detector and now I know there is also optical detector.