01 INTRODUCTION
Thank you for selecting First Alert to safeguard your home! You’ve acquired a cutting-edge Smoke & CO Alarm, engineered for early detection of potential hazards.
Prioritize reviewing this manual thoroughly; integrate this alarm seamlessly into your family’s comprehensive safety strategy for optimal protection and peace of mind.
First Alert provides resources online, including downloadable manuals, for models like the SC9120B, ensuring you’re well-informed about your device’s capabilities.
01.01 Thank You for Choosing First Alert
We extend our sincere gratitude for placing your trust in First Alert for your smoke and carbon monoxide detection needs. Your decision to invest in a First Alert combination alarm represents a proactive step towards enhancing the safety and well-being of yourself, your loved ones, and your property.
This state-of-the-art device is meticulously engineered to provide an early warning system against the dangers of both smoke and carbon monoxide – two potentially life-threatening hazards. By choosing First Alert, you’re selecting a brand with a longstanding reputation for innovation, reliability, and commitment to fire and safety protection.
We understand the importance of peace of mind, and we are dedicated to delivering products that meet the highest standards of performance and quality. This alarm is designed to be an integral component of a comprehensive home safety plan, working diligently to protect what matters most. We are confident that this investment will provide you with years of dependable service and invaluable protection.
01.02 Importance of Reading the Manual
Before installing and operating your First Alert combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarm, carefully reading this manual is absolutely crucial. It contains vital information regarding proper installation, testing, maintenance, and understanding alarm signals. Ignoring these instructions could compromise the alarm’s effectiveness and potentially endanger your safety.
This manual details specific features of your model, such as the SC9120B, including its electrochemical CO sensing technology and ionization smoke sensor. Understanding how these technologies function is key to interpreting alarm behavior correctly. It also outlines potential causes of false alarms and how to avoid them.
Familiarizing yourself with the alarm’s LED indicator lights and sound patterns – differentiating between smoke and CO alerts – is paramount for a swift and appropriate response in an emergency. Proper maintenance, including regular cleaning and battery replacement, is also thoroughly explained. Your safety depends on understanding and following these guidelines.
01.03 Integrating the Alarm into a Family Safety Plan
Your First Alert smoke and carbon monoxide alarm is most effective when incorporated into a comprehensive family safety plan. This plan should include clearly defined escape routes from every room in your home, and a designated meeting point outside, a safe distance away.
Regularly practice fire drills with all family members, ensuring everyone understands the alarm’s sound and knows how to evacuate quickly and safely. Discuss the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning and the importance of fresh air. Emphasize that the alarm is a warning system, not a substitute for safe practices.
Ensure everyone knows the location of fire extinguishers and how to use them properly. Keep at least one extinguisher on each level of your home, and an additional one in the kitchen. Review the alarm’s manual together, highlighting key information about testing and maintenance. A well-rehearsed plan significantly increases your family’s chances of survival.
02 PRODUCT OVERVIEW
This First Alert combination alarm safeguards against both smoke and carbon monoxide. It features advanced detection technologies, providing crucial early warnings for fire and CO hazards.
The SC9120B model operates on AA batteries, offering reliable protection and easy installation throughout your home, ensuring peace of mind for you.
02.01 First Alert Combination Smoke and CO Alarm
The First Alert combination Smoke and Carbon Monoxide (CO) Alarm is a vital safety device designed to protect you and your family from the dangers of both fire and carbon monoxide poisoning. Unlike separate detectors, this unit consolidates both functionalities into a single, convenient package, simplifying home safety management.
This alarm continuously monitors the air for the presence of smoke and odorless, colorless CO gas. Upon detection of either hazard, it emits a distinct alarm signal to alert occupants, providing crucial time to evacuate or address the issue. The combination design is particularly beneficial as CO often results from combustion sources, frequently linked to fires.
The SC9120B model, a popular choice, exemplifies this technology. It’s engineered to provide reliable performance and is a key component of a comprehensive home safety plan. Regular testing and maintenance, as outlined in this manual, are essential to ensure optimal functionality and continued protection for your household. It’s a proactive step towards a safer living environment.
02.02 Key Features ─ Early Warning System
The cornerstone of the First Alert Combination Smoke and CO Alarm is its advanced early warning system. This isn’t merely about detecting a fully developed fire or dangerous CO levels; it’s about identifying threats at their earliest stages, providing invaluable time for a safe response.
Employing both ionization smoke sensing and electrochemical CO sensing technologies, the alarm offers dual protection. Ionization sensors are highly effective at detecting fast-flaming fires, while electrochemical sensors accurately measure CO levels, even low concentrations that can be harmful over time.
Distinct alarm patterns differentiate between smoke and CO events, allowing you to quickly assess the nature of the threat. This clarity is crucial for appropriate action – evacuating for a fire versus ventilating for CO. The alarm’s responsiveness, coupled with clear indicators, empowers you to proactively safeguard your family and property, making it a truly essential safety feature.
02.03 Model Specifics ─ SC9120B
The First Alert SC9120B is a meticulously engineered combination smoke and carbon monoxide detector, designed for comprehensive home safety. This model operates solely on two AA batteries, offering flexible placement without the constraints of wiring. This battery-powered design ensures continued operation even during power outages, a critical safety advantage.
Featuring an ionization smoke sensor, the SC9120B excels at detecting fast-flaming fires, common in many household situations. Simultaneously, its electrochemical CO sensing technology provides accurate monitoring for the presence of carbon monoxide, a silent and deadly gas.
The SC9120B incorporates a user-friendly test button for regular functionality checks, and clear LED indicator lights communicate the alarm’s status. Its compact design blends seamlessly into any décor, while delivering robust protection against both fire and CO hazards. Refer to the full user manual for detailed operational instructions and maintenance guidelines.
03 INSTALLATION GUIDE
Proper installation is crucial for optimal performance. Begin by installing fresh AA batteries. Strategically position the detector, avoiding areas prone to false alarms, for reliable protection.
03.01 Battery Installation ─ AA Batteries
Ensuring correct battery installation is paramount for the reliable operation of your First Alert combination smoke and CO alarm. This device requires two AA batteries to function effectively. Begin by locating the battery compartment, typically on the back or side of the alarm unit.
Carefully open the battery compartment cover, often requiring a slight press and slide. Insert the AA batteries, paying close attention to the polarity markings (+ and -) inside the compartment. Incorrect polarity can prevent the alarm from functioning or even damage it.
Confirm that the batteries are securely seated and making good contact. Once the batteries are in place, close the battery compartment cover until it clicks shut. The alarm should then initiate a self-test, indicated by a brief beep or flashing LED. If the alarm does not power on, double-check the battery polarity and ensure the batteries are fresh.
Regularly check the batteries to maintain continuous protection. Consider using high-quality alkaline batteries for extended life and reliable performance.
03.02 Recommended Placement Locations
Strategic placement of your First Alert combination smoke and CO alarm is crucial for optimal detection. Install alarms on every level of your home, including the basement. Inside bedrooms is highly recommended, and outside sleeping areas is essential.
For smoke detection, mount alarms on the ceiling or high on the wall (within 12 inches of the ceiling). Smoke rises, so higher placement allows for quicker detection. In rooms with sloped ceilings, position the alarm near the peak, but within 3 feet of the highest point.
Carbon monoxide, being similar in density to air, should be detected at breathing height. Therefore, CO alarms can be mounted on the wall or ceiling. Place alarms near potential CO sources like fuel-burning appliances, but avoid direct exposure to excessive humidity or combustion gases.
Ensure alarms are easily accessible for testing and maintenance. Avoid obstructing the alarm with furniture or curtains, and always follow local fire codes regarding placement requirements.
03.03 Avoiding False Alarm Locations
To minimize unwanted alarms, careful consideration of placement is vital. Avoid installing the First Alert alarm in or near kitchens, cooking areas, or bathrooms. Steam, humidity, and cooking fumes can trigger false smoke detections;
Keep alarms away from areas with excessive dust, dirt, or insects. These particles can interfere with the sensor’s functionality and cause nuisance alarms. Regularly cleaning the alarm (as detailed in the maintenance section) helps prevent this.
Do not place alarms near air vents, fireplaces, or heaters. Drafts and rapid temperature changes can also lead to false readings. Avoid locations directly exposed to exhaust fumes from vehicles or engines.
Furthermore, avoid areas with high concentrations of cleaning chemicals or aerosols. These substances can potentially damage the sensor or trigger a false alarm. Proper placement significantly reduces the likelihood of unnecessary disruptions.
04 DETECTOR TECHNOLOGY
This alarm utilizes both ionization smoke sensing and electrochemical CO technology, providing dual protection. Ionization detects fast-flaming fires, while electrochemical accurately measures CO levels.
04.01 Ionization Smoke Sensor
The First Alert SC9120B employs an ionization smoke sensor, a widely-used technology for detecting smoke from fast-flaming fires. This type of sensor contains a small amount of radioactive material between two electrically charged plates. When smoke particles enter the chamber, they disrupt the flow of ions, causing a decrease in current.
This reduction in current is detected by the alarm’s circuitry, triggering the alarm sound. Ionization sensors are particularly effective at detecting small smoke particles produced by rapidly developing fires, such as those involving paper or flammable liquids. However, they may be less responsive to slow, smoldering fires.
It’s important to understand that the radioactive material used is completely safe under normal operating conditions and is sealed within the sensor. The ionization chamber is designed to prevent any leakage or exposure. Regular testing of the alarm ensures the sensor is functioning correctly and provides reliable smoke detection.
This technology offers a cost-effective and proven method for early smoke warning, contributing to overall home fire safety.
04.02 Electrochemical CO Sensing Technology
The First Alert SC9120B utilizes electrochemical carbon monoxide (CO) sensing technology, considered the most accurate and reliable method for detecting this odorless, colorless, and deadly gas. This technology involves a sensor containing electrodes in a chemical solution.
When CO enters the sensor, it causes a chemical reaction that generates a small electrical current. The strength of this current is directly proportional to the concentration of CO present. The alarm’s circuitry measures this current and triggers the alarm when CO levels exceed safe limits.
Unlike older technologies, electrochemical sensors are less prone to false alarms from common household gases and offer a longer lifespan. They provide continuous monitoring and are highly sensitive to low levels of CO, offering crucial early warning.
This advanced technology ensures dependable CO detection, protecting your family from the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning, a serious and potentially fatal hazard.
04.03 Difference Between Smoke and CO Detection
Understanding the distinct threats of smoke and carbon monoxide is crucial for safety. Smoke detection, utilizing ionization technology in the SC9120B, identifies particles produced by combustion – the visible evidence of a fire. It reacts to fast-flaming fires, quickly alerting occupants to potential danger.
Carbon monoxide (CO), however, is invisible, odorless, and tasteless, making it a silent killer. The electrochemical CO sensor detects the presence of this gas, a byproduct of incomplete combustion from fuel-burning appliances like furnaces, stoves, and vehicles.
Smoke alarms respond to a symptom of fire, while CO alarms detect the source of a potentially lethal poisoning. Because CO can build up without visible signs, a dedicated CO alarm is essential.
The combination alarm provides comprehensive protection, addressing both immediate fire hazards and the insidious threat of carbon monoxide, ensuring a safer home environment for you and your family.
05 ALARM FUNCTIONS & INDICATORS
This alarm distinguishes smoke and CO with unique sound patterns and LED flashes. The test button verifies functionality, while indicator lights signal operational status and alerts.
05.01 Alarm Sound Patterns ─ Smoke vs. CO
Understanding the distinct alarm sound patterns is crucial for a swift and appropriate response. The First Alert combination alarm utilizes different audible signals to differentiate between smoke and carbon monoxide detection, allowing you to quickly assess the nature of the emergency.
For smoke detection, the alarm typically emits a series of four loud beeps, repeated continuously. This pattern is designed to mimic the urgency of a fire, prompting immediate evacuation. It’s a sharp, piercing sound intended to wake you and alert everyone in the vicinity.
In contrast, when carbon monoxide is detected, the alarm produces a different pattern – four beeps followed by a pause, then repeated. This sequence is specifically chosen to distinguish CO alarms from smoke alarms, as CO is an odorless, colorless gas requiring a different response protocol.
Familiarize yourself and your family with these sound patterns during initial setup and testing. Regular testing of the alarm, using the test button, will reinforce recognition of these critical signals, ensuring a faster and more effective reaction in a real emergency situation. Knowing the difference could save lives.
05.02 LED Indicator Lights ౼ Status Signals
The First Alert combination smoke and CO alarm utilizes LED indicator lights to communicate its operational status, providing visual cues beyond the audible alarm. These lights offer valuable information regarding power, alarm conditions, and potential malfunctions.
A solid green light generally indicates normal operation, confirming the alarm is powered on and functioning correctly. However, a flashing red light signifies an alarm condition – either smoke or carbon monoxide has been detected. The flash rate may differ depending on the specific hazard.
A yellow or amber light often signals a malfunction or low battery condition. This prompts immediate attention, requiring battery replacement or further troubleshooting. Ignoring these warning signals can compromise the alarm’s ability to protect you.
Regularly observe the LED indicator lights during routine checks. Understanding these visual signals, in conjunction with the alarm sounds, provides a comprehensive understanding of the alarm’s status and ensures your continued safety. Refer to the full manual for specific light patterns related to your model.
05.03 Test Button Functionality
The test button on your First Alert combination smoke and CO alarm is a crucial component for verifying its operational status. Regularly testing – at least monthly – ensures the electronic circuitry, horn, and indicator lights are functioning as intended.
To perform a test, simply press and hold the test button for several seconds. This initiates a loud, piercing alarm sound, simulating a detected hazard. Observe the LED indicator lights simultaneously to confirm they also activate during the test.
It’s important to note that the test button only verifies the alarm’s internal components; it does not test the sensors’ ability to detect actual smoke or carbon monoxide. Therefore, regular testing is a supplement to, not a replacement for, proper maintenance and awareness.
If the alarm fails to sound or the indicator lights do not activate during the test, immediately troubleshoot the issue, replace the batteries, or consider replacing the entire unit. A non-functional alarm provides no protection.
06 MAINTENANCE & TROUBLESHOOTING
Regular cleaning, battery checks, and prompt troubleshooting are vital for optimal performance. Address issues like “no power” immediately to maintain reliable protection.
Follow the recommended schedule for battery replacement and cleaning to ensure continuous functionality of your First Alert device, safeguarding your home.
06.01 Regular Cleaning Procedures
Maintaining a clean alarm is crucial for its proper function. Dust, dirt, or insects can obstruct the sensor, leading to false alarms or reduced sensitivity. To clean your First Alert combination smoke and CO alarm, begin by removing it from its mounting bracket and disconnecting the batteries to prevent accidental activation.
Gently vacuum the exterior of the alarm using a soft brush attachment. Avoid using water, cleaning solutions, or detergents, as these can damage the sensor. For stubborn dirt, lightly dampen a soft cloth with water and carefully wipe the exterior. Ensure the alarm is completely dry before reinstalling the batteries and reattaching it to the mounting bracket.
Cleaning should be performed at least every six months, or more frequently if the alarm is located in a dusty or dirty environment. Regular cleaning ensures the alarm remains responsive and provides reliable protection against smoke and carbon monoxide. Neglecting cleaning can compromise the device’s ability to detect hazards effectively, potentially endangering your safety.
06.02 Battery Replacement Schedule
Maintaining fresh batteries is paramount for reliable operation of your First Alert combination smoke and CO alarm. This device utilizes AA batteries as its power source. A low-battery warning chirp indicates it’s time for replacement – typically an intermittent chirp every 60 seconds.
Replace both batteries simultaneously with new, high-quality AA batteries. Do not mix old and new batteries, or different types of batteries. It’s recommended to replace batteries at least once a year, even if the low-battery warning hasn’t sounded. A good practice is to coincide battery replacement with a significant date, like daylight saving time, to ensure consistent upkeep.
Prompt battery replacement is vital. A depleted battery renders the alarm ineffective, leaving your home unprotected. Always test the alarm after replacing the batteries to confirm proper functionality. Ignoring the low-battery warning or delaying replacement significantly increases the risk of undetected smoke or carbon monoxide, potentially leading to dangerous consequences.
06.03 Troubleshooting Common Issues ─ No Power
If your First Alert combination smoke and CO alarm exhibits no power, begin by verifying the batteries. Ensure they are correctly installed, with proper polarity (+ and ౼ alignment). Even seemingly new batteries can be defective; try replacing them with a fresh, verified set of AA batteries.
Confirm the battery compartment cover is securely fastened. A loose cover can interrupt the electrical connection. If the alarm still lacks power after battery replacement, inspect the battery terminals for corrosion or debris. Gently clean them with a dry cloth if necessary.
Remember this alarm is battery-operated; it doesn’t have a direct AC power connection. If issues persist after these steps, the alarm itself may be faulty and require replacement. Do not attempt to disassemble or repair the unit. A non-functioning alarm provides no protection; prioritize immediate replacement to maintain your home’s safety.
07 SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
Working smoke alarms are crucial for saving lives during a fire. Keep a fire extinguisher on each level, especially in the kitchen, and practice a fire escape plan regularly.
07.01 Importance of Working Smoke Alarms
The absolute necessity of functioning smoke alarms cannot be overstated. These devices are your first line of defense, providing critical early warning in the event of a fire, dramatically increasing your chances of safe escape. A non-working smoke alarm renders your home vulnerable, potentially leading to devastating consequences.
Regularly test your First Alert smoke and CO alarm – at least monthly – using the test button to ensure the battery and internal components are operating correctly. Replace batteries immediately if the alarm chirps, indicating low power. Remember, even seemingly minor malfunctions can compromise the alarm’s effectiveness.
Consider the alarming statistic: smoke alarms that don’t work cannot alert you to a fire. This simple truth underscores the importance of proactive maintenance and responsible ownership. Don’t gamble with your family’s safety; prioritize the consistent functionality of your smoke alarms. A small investment in maintenance can save lives.
07.02 Fire Extinguisher Recommendations
Alongside a reliable smoke and carbon monoxide alarm system, maintaining readily accessible fire extinguishers is crucial for comprehensive fire safety. It’s highly recommended to have at least one working fire extinguisher on every level of your home, including the basement, and an additional extinguisher specifically located in the kitchen – the most common area for fire ignition.
First Alert offers a variety of fire extinguishers designed to tackle different types of fires. Consider a multi-purpose extinguisher (rated ABC) capable of handling common household fires involving wood, paper, liquids, and electrical equipment. Familiarize yourself with the proper operation of your extinguisher before an emergency arises – remember the PASS acronym: Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep.
Regularly inspect your fire extinguishers to ensure they are fully charged and in good working order; Expired or damaged extinguishers should be replaced immediately. Knowing how to use a fire extinguisher effectively can significantly minimize damage and potentially save lives, complementing the early warning provided by your First Alert alarm.
07.03 Fire Escape Planning
A functioning smoke and CO alarm is only one component of a robust fire safety strategy; a well-defined and practiced fire escape plan is equally vital. Begin by drawing a map of your home, identifying two escape routes from each room, ideally including windows. Designate a central meeting point outside, a safe distance from the house, where everyone should gather.
Practice your fire escape plan with all household members at least twice a year. Ensure everyone knows the sound of the alarm and understands the importance of evacuating immediately. Emphasize the “get low and go” technique to avoid inhaling smoke. Assign someone to assist children, elderly individuals, or those with disabilities.
Once outside, never re-enter a burning building. Call emergency services from a safe location. Regularly review and update your escape plan to account for changes in your household or home layout. A proactive approach to fire escape planning significantly increases your chances of survival.
