This alarm is well built and when tested in a fake flood, did what it should and built to a very loud alarm. It gets louder over several seconds. Not tested is its ability to be that loud all day and still be alarming when we get home from work etc. A quiet low battery chirp would be cool too so you don't remember to change it out yearly, but then maybe it does. Overall, after $1000 in damage from a silly minor flood, I feel better that that won't happen again with this installed.