Can smoke or heat alarms from different manufacturers be interconnected?

Interconnecting smoke or heat alarms from different manufacturers is a critical consideration for ensuring the reliability and effectiveness of fire detection systems. The correct answer highlights that devices from different manufacturers can only be interconnected if they are specified as compatible. This is primarily due to differences in wiring, signaling protocols, and operational standards that various manufacturers may use.

When smoke alarms and heat detectors are designed, each manufacturer may implement unique technologies and communication methods that could lead to erratic functioning if interconnected without compatibility assurances. Additionally, to comply with safety codes and standards, it's essential to ensure that devices are designed to work together, which is why specifications or certifications for compatibility are crucial.

In contrast, using alarms that are the same model from the same manufacturer ensures that they are designed to work together seamlessly, complying with all operational protocols.