Smoke detectors are a critical part of the overall fire safety system and should be installed in every home. The type of smoke alarm you choose depends on your needs.

First Alert has a variety of detectors to fit every need. Some are hardwired, while others use battery power.

Dual Sensor

A dual sensor smoke alarm, such as the First Alert SA3210 Dual Sensor Ten Year Alarm, makes use of both photoelectric and ionization sensors to provide the earliest warning possible — regardless of the type of fire. Some fires can smolder for hours before they erupt into flames, like those caused by cigarettes in couches or bedding, while others erupt rapidly into flames, such as kitchen grease fires and those fueled by paper burning in a wastebasket.

The photoelectric smoke detector uses light to detect smoldering fires, while the ionization smoke detector uses radiation and an ionization chamber to detect flaming fires. These double-duty sensors are the most effective fire detection devices available and have been proven to save lives.

10 Year Battery Life

Using a lithium battery, this alarm offers a 10-year lifespan without needing to replace the batteries. It also does not chirp at you when the battery is low, which is another plus!

The First Alert BRK SC7010LBLV is a hardwired smoke/CO combination alarm that has a 10 year sealed Lithium battery backup. It meets UL217 and NFPA 101 requirements for residential and commercial building codes.

It features a photoelectric smoke sensing chamber and an electrochemical CO sensor. It also has a voice warning with location and an end of life signal. The device also has two latching functions. The “Alarm Latch” remembers which unit initiated an alarm and the “Battery End of Life Latch” blinks to indicate which unit is in a low battery state.

Interconnectivity

The interconnectivity feature of the first alert smoke alarm allows it to work with compatible models and connect with other first alert units in your home. If one unit detects a hazard, all other linked units in the system will sound off in unison.

The interconnection is done via reliable and secure radio frequency communication. The 915 MHz frequency bandwidth and 3-channel frequency hopping ensures your system is always connected to other alarms without the risk of a non-working link.

Keeping multiple alarms linked has never been easier with the interconnectivity feature. The voice alarm can be easily programmed for each location (with 11 pre-programmed choices) and voice also announces which hazard is being detected.

Photoelectric Sensor

Photoelectric sensors are a common type of sensor in industrial automation applications. They have a number of different uses that include proximity sensing, object detection, and quality control.

They are comprised of a light source (LED), a receiver, an amplifier, and a controller. When a sensor detects an object, the light is triggered to activate the output.

Through beam and retro-reflective mode are the primary methods of photoelectric target detection. Through beam mode is the most efficient and allows the longest sensing ranges.

Retro-reflective mode is similar to diffused mode, but a reflector is used to redirect the beam from the emitter to the receiver. It allows a longer sensing range than diffused mode because the sensor does not have to reflect the target itself.

Escape Light

The escape light feature on the first alert smoke alarm is a great way to provide occupants with a clear path of escape during an emergency. The bright light automatically activates with the alarm, and can help illuminate a darkened room while it alerts you of the presence of fire.

The alarm features an ionization smoke sensor that performs exceptionally well in detecting smoke from flaming fires. It also includes a mute button to silence nuisance alarms and a convenient single test/silence button for easy operation.

It also comes equipped with an EZ access battery door that removes the hassle and burden associated with changing your alarm’s batteries. In addition, it comes with a theft prevention lock that helps establish peace of mind and eliminates the possibility of others tinkering with your alarm.