Nest products in NZ

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mattwnz

20141 posts

Uber Geek

#195695 29-Apr-2016 23:45

Anyone know which Nest home automation products will work in NZ, or has anyone purchased some from overseas and got them working? Some of the things I am interested in looking at at the smart smoke alarms which also test for carbon monoxide, and their Nest cam security cameras.

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738 posts

Ultimate Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#1544385 30-Apr-2016 09:28

I have Nest Protect, ordered from Amazon. Since it's smoke/CO2 it works the same as anywhere in the world, works perfectly. The missus loves it, the talking alarm! I don't have it integrated with any other Home Automation stuff though.

billgates

4705 posts

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Trusted

#1544395 30-Apr-2016 10:07

Domestic smoke alarm requirements

The New Zealand Building Code requires that all new houses and all existing houses undergoing alteration have smoke alarms installed. Domestic smoke alarms must be Type 1, which has:

a hush button so the alarm can be cleared without shutting off power (i.e. by removing the battery)
a test button.

Is the Nest compliant with the above 2 building code requirements? Looks like it has no test button.

Do whatever you want to do man.

D.W

725 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1544495 30-Apr-2016 14:06

I have the Nest Protect, the button can be used to test.

Aredwood

3885 posts

Uber Geek

#1544683 30-Apr-2016 23:11

Since Carbon Monoxide is heavier than air, A sensor on a ceiling is the worst place for a CO sensor. If you need carbon monoxide sensing, get a dedicated CO alarm and install it at floor level.

mattwnz

20141 posts

Uber Geek

#1544691 30-Apr-2016 23:46

billgates: Domestic smoke alarm requirements

The New Zealand Building Code requires that all new houses and all existing houses undergoing alteration have smoke alarms installed. Domestic smoke alarms must be Type 1, which has:

a hush button so the alarm can be cleared without shutting off power (i.e. by removing the battery)
a test button.

Is the Nest compliant with the above 2 building code requirements? Looks like it has no test button.

I believe it can be 'hushed' using the iphone app. In some cases that is easier than getting up to the ceiling to hush it. But not sure if this complies with the building code, and whether it needs physical buttons on it. Warnings about battery life IMO are a big advantage over conventional alarms.

The other thing I am interested in is their nest cams, which look interesting, and would be interested if anyone has them setup. The Nest temperature sensor thing also looks cool, but there doesn't look like there is any support for this type of system in NZ.

hellonearthisman

1819 posts

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#1544694 1-May-2016 00:20

Hot air rises, that's why smoke/co2 detectors go on the roof and why the fire department says to crawl out of a smoke filled room.

Mykey

2 posts

Wannabe Geek

#1544753 1-May-2016 11:10

Aredwood:

Since Carbon Monoxide is heavier than air, A sensor on a ceiling is the worst place for a CO sensor. If you need carbon monoxide sensing, get a dedicated CO alarm and install it at floor level.

I think you mean Carbon Dioxide, Carbon Monoxide is lighter than air!

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DarkShadow

1647 posts

Uber Geek

#1548405 8-May-2016 21:06

I have 9 smoke alarms at home, that means US$900+shipping if I replace them with Nest devices. They do look really advanced, but are they worth the money? I mean, they are something you buy but you hope never to use right?

chimera

506 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1549353 10-May-2016 16:04

Make your own, way cheaper. You could even get several of each type you need to monitor and both assess each individually (to ensure the readings are within par - if one is way out maybe faulty so ignore), and if ok, then under normal operating circumstances average the readings from all of them.

http://playground.arduino.cc/Main/MQGasSensors

I have an MQ-2 sensor here (Methane, Butane, LPG, Smoke) which I'm about to play around with on an Arduino board.

...and carbon monoxide (CO) is about the same weight as air so its always around us. Carbon Dioxide (CO2) is a lot heavier than air but I believe it depends on the temperature too.

mattwnz

20141 posts

Uber Geek

#1549354 10-May-2016 16:04

chimera:

Make your own, way cheaper. You could even get several of each type you need to monitor and both assess each individually (to ensure the readings are within par - if one is way out maybe faulty so ignore), and if ok, then under normal operating circumstances average the readings from all of them.

http://playground.arduino.cc/Main/MQGasSensors

I have an MQ-2 sensor here (Methane, Butane, LPG, Smoke) which I'm about to play around with on an Arduino board.

...and carbon monoxide (CO) is about the same weight as air so its always around us. Carbon Dioxide (CO2) is a lot heavier than air but I believe it depends on the temperature too.

Although would that be reliable? The amount of time to make your own would also outweigh the cost I would have thought.

chimera

506 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1549358 10-May-2016 16:08

mattwnz:

Although would that be reliable? The amount of time to make your own would also outweigh the cost I would have thought.

I can't see why it wouldn't be as reliable as any other product if built and tested well - and hence why I mentioned a few sensors to poll, rather than just relying on one. You could even add fail safe into it so if you used with your home automation system, it would alert you if the sensor wasn't available. These sensors are fairly simple to use. Alternately, you could use it to supplement your standard off the shelf smoke alarms.

I'll build one as a test and see how it goes. TBA!

chimera

506 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1549621 11-May-2016 08:35

Very basic test but works ok. This particular sensor reads LPG, CO and smoke.

https://youtu.be/WnxVcJcSMd8

dacraka

766 posts

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#1549829 11-May-2016 13:10

The camera doesn't upload and save to the cloud in NZ - they've blocked it (however live viewing still works).

The smoke alarms are awesome - I have two hard-wired ones from Amazon UK (240V) and when you press the large button on the alarm it says "Press to test" so if you press it again it goes into test mode.

narendrn

12 posts

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#1552136 13-May-2016 12:33

Hi,

Does that mean the Nest Smoke alarm will comply with NZ standards ( the physical button). I am planning to get 2 of those for my new home then i am not sure about the test button. Also is it the same for US and UK other than the 240 V.

Narendrn

chimera

506 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1563356 31-May-2016 22:31

narendrn:

Hi,

Does that mean the Nest Smoke alarm will comply with NZ standards ( the physical button). I am planning to get 2 of those for my new home then i am not sure about the test button. Also is it the same for US and UK other than the 240 V.

Narendrn

I've followed the crowd and ordered a Nest Protect from Amazon UK myself. They look too good! I'll be supplementing to my existing smoke alarms, so not fussed if its non-compliant.

I opt'd to spend a bit more and order from the UK to get the 240V version. Batteries are a PITA.

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