What is a talking alarm?
Talking Alarm Indicates Location and Nature of Threat The First Alert SCO7CN Combination Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm features a talking alarm that not only provides a verbal warning of the danger, but also tells you its location, so you can plan the safest possible escape.
Why choose First Alert Wireless interconnect talking battery operated smoke & CO alarms?
First Alert Wireless Interconnect Talking Battery Operated Smoke & CO Alarms utilize an Electrochemical Sensor that allows for optimal efficiency in detecting carbon monoxide. The realization of Photoelectric Smoke Sensing Technology will effectively reduce the number of nuisance alarms triggered by cooking smoke and shower steam.
How loud is a First Alert smoke alarm?
First Alert alarms sequences are extremely loud at 85 decibels. This industry-standard alarm setting ensures that even people who are asleep will be alerted to emergencies What to Do in Case of a Smoke Alarm If your smoke alarm detects smoke, it will sound a very loud, 3-beep alarm pattern.
Why do smoke detectors give false alarms?
Smoke detectors are also sensitive to particles in the air that are released by strong-smelling chemicals. If you’re remodeling your home, deep cleaning, or using strong chemicals for another reason, this may be a cause of your false alarms.
See more

Do some smoke alarms talk?
The First Alert SCO7CN Combination Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm features a talking alarm that not only provides a verbal warning of the danger, but also tells you its location, so you can plan the safest possible escape.
What sound do smoke alarms make?
There are two different sounds that a smoke detector emits: Beeping and chirping. A loud, continuous Beeping means you need to leave the building quickly. A Chirping that generally sounds every 30-60 secs means it's time to change the batteries. Smoke Alarms should be in every bedroom and hallway outside of bedrooms.
What is my fire alarm saying?
Consistent Chirping If a smoke alarm is chirping consistently, one of the following may be the reason: The battery may need to be replaced. An alarm will chirp every 30 to 60 seconds for a minimum of seven days. With a "low battery" announcement, disconnect the unit and replace the batteries.
What do carbon monoxide detectors say?
Smoke alarms alert you with three beeps in a row. Carbon monoxide alarms alert you with four beeps. A single chirp means the battery is low or the detector should be replaced.
What does 3 beeps on a smoke detector mean?
3 Chirps approx. every 20 seconds Off Off Condition: Sensor Trouble/Sensor End-of-Life Alarm. Recommendation: Reset the alarm. If this does not clear the problem, replace alarm.
What does 3 beeps on a First Alert smoke detector mean?
3 chirps (about 1x per minute): Malfunction chirp Replace with a new alarm as soon as possible. Check to ensure that your alarm is not expired and in need of replacement.
Why did my fire alarm randomly go off in the middle of the night?
This battery characteristic can cause a smoke alarm to enter the low battery chirp mode when air temperatures drop. Most homes are the coolest between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. That's why the alarm may sound a low-battery chirp in the middle of the night, and then stop when the home warms up a few degrees.
Why smoke detectors go off randomly?
The most likely reason smoke detectors go off unexpectedly is that people aren't changing the batteries in them often enough. In most sensors you might think of, the strength of the signal goes up when they detect what they're supposed to. Common causes of smoke detector false positives around the house.
Why did my fire alarm go off for 10 seconds?
It is normal for smoke alarms to go off and sound briefly (up to 5-10 seconds) when you install a new battery or when they are powered up. If the alarm continues to go off and no smoke is present, the cause may be one of the following: There may be insufficient battery power, try new batteries.
What are two warning signs of carbon monoxide poisoning?
Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include:headache.dizziness.feeling sick or being sick.feeling weak.confusion.chest and muscle pain.shortness of breath.
What does 5 beeps on a smoke detector mean?
5 Beeps Every Minute: End of Life. This type of chirp indicates it is time to replace your carbon monoxide alarm.
How can you tell if there is carbon monoxide in your house?
A carbon monoxide detector is a must for any home and just as important as a smoke detector. CO detectors should be placed near all bedrooms; they're the only way you will know if carbon monoxide is affecting the air quality in your home, and can help prevent serious illness and even death.
What does a carbon monoxide beep sound like?
A carbon monoxide detector does not sound the same as a smoke detector. It sounds similar to the way a smoke detector beeps when it needs a battery replacement. It will beep at a regular rate to alert you of a carbon monoxide presence.
What does a dead smoke detector sound like?
If your smoke alarm is emitting a single high-pitched chirp every 30 seconds or so, it's most likely a sign that the battery is running low and needs to be replaced. Stopping the problem is a simple matter of changing it out. There are, of course, other reasons why your alarm might be chirping: Dust.
What sound does a smoke alarm make when the battery is low?
chirpAs the battery in a smoke alarm becomes weak, the smoke alarm will "chirp" about once a minute to alert you that the battery needs to be replaced. Note: Only the alarm with a low battery will chirp.
What does a low battery smoke detector sound like?
Low Battery As the battery in a smoke alarm gets weak, the smoke alarm will “chirp” about once a minute to let you know that the battery needs to be replaced. Note: Only the device with a low battery will chirp. The other interconnected alarms should be silent.
How loud is a smoke alarm?
First Alert alarms sequences are extremely loud at 85 decibels. This industry-standard alarm setting ensures that even people who are asleep will be alerted to emergencies. If your smoke alarm detects smoke, it will sound a very loud, 3-beep alarm pattern. Don’t panic; stay calm. Follow your family escape plan.
What happens if you don't test your smoke detector?
If your smoke, carbon monoxide, or combination detector alarms and you are not testing the unit, it is warning you of a potentially dangerous situation that requires your immediate attention. Make sure everyone in your home knows the sound of your smoke and CO alarms, and what to do if they hear it.
Why do alarms get false?
Although all alarms should be taken seriously, some factors like dust, insects, or electrical changes may lead to false alarms.
How many beeps does a carbon dioxide alarm sound?
If your alarm detects carbon dioxide, it will sound a 4–beep alarm pattern.
What does a talking alarm mean?
Talking alarm, actual voice speaks the type and location of danger in your home, when easily programmed.
Why does my smoke alarm sound weak?
Problems with voltage or insufficient electrical power (brown out) may cause a continuous weak sounding alarm. For AC or AC/DC models, temporarily disconnect power at the service panel until the brown out is over. If you do not restore the AC power, your smoke alarms cannot warn you of a fire.
How far away should a smoke alarm be from a shower?
Alarms should be at least 10 feet from high humidity areas like showers and laundry rooms, and at least 3 feet from heat/AC vents. Be sure to install a smoke alarm in each bedroom, one at the top of each stairwell, and one on every level. Q: My smoke alarm keeps chirping and beeping.
What does it mean when a carbon monoxide detector keeps chirping?
A: If your carbon monoxide alarm keeps chirping, the battery may be low or weak. On First Alert carbon monoxide detectors, check to see if the battery light is yellow or green. If the alarm is chirping and the light is yellow, it means the battery is low.
How does the first alert work?
First Alert's series of Wireless Talking Battery Operated Smoke & CO Alarms effectively eliminates the need for a wired connection and operates entirely on batteries. The latest advancement in a series celebrated for its intuitive use of technology, the First Alert Wireless Interconnect collection offers an abundance of options when it comes to creating the ideal safety network. Wirelessly inter-connectivity allows you to connect up to 16 alarms within your home! Voice can easily be programmed for alarm's location within your home. (this feature comes with 11 pre-programmed choices) Voice also notifies which hazard is being detected. If the alarm set in your kitchen senses smoke, all of your First Alert Wireless Interconnect alarms will announce: 'Warning, evacuate! Smoke in the Kitchen!' This feature allows for the maximum in whole home protection. The communication distance (range) between any two First Alert Wireless Interconnect Alarms is typically 50 ft. (15 meters) inside of a home. Some features of a home, such as the number of floors, number/size of rooms, furniture and types of building materials used may reduce the range of wireless interconnect alarms.
What happens if you don't restore your smoke alarm?
If you do not restore the AC power, your smoke alarms cannot warn you of a fire. Incompatible warning device. If an incompatible alarm or auxiliary device is linked into a series of AC or AC/DC smoke alarms it may cause the system inadvertently go off. Q: My smoke alarm keeps chirping, even with a new battery.
Why does my smoke alarm keep chirping?
Whenever your smoke alarm keeps chirping, replace the battery immediately. Other reasons include: It could be a different device or appliance such as a security system, monitor, carbon monoxide alarm, or other device which has a similar low battery or alert signal.
How Do You Know Your Smoke Alarm Is Not Working Properly?
The smoke alarm chiming until it gives you a headache is not the only sign that your alarm is on its way out. Here are some other signs to keep an eye open for.
How to tell if smoke alarm is too old?
The casing on smoke alarms is usually white, so if time has faded yours to a dingy yellow, we’d bet the alarm is way older than 10 years.
How Often Should You Change Your Smoke Alarm Battery?
At the top of our list, we mentioned that old smoke alarm batteries could be your chief culprit in your alarm making all that ruckus. We also said that we’d tell you just how often you should remove the batteries in the alarm and replace them, which we want to do now.
Why is my smoke detector beeping?
Replacing the batteries in your smoke detector is supposed to stop that beeping noise, so why is it persisting? Maybe you accidentally put old batteries in the smoke detector.
What does humidity mean in a smoke alarm?
Humidity is moisture in the air. Although moisture and smoke are two very different things, to a smoke alarm, it’s not always so cut and dried. The smoke alarm perceives humidity a lot like smoke, and so it could begin screeching at you after you take a hot shower or when you boil water on the stove.
Why does my smoke alarm chirp?
What’s out of sight is usually out of mind. The inaccessibility of your smoke alarm can cause you to forget to change the batteries for far too long. By the time your smoke alarm is intermittently chirping at you, that’s a clear sign that the batteries need replacing.
Why does my smoke alarm give me a headache?
You should also look at the products you use in your everyday life if your smoke alarm is still giving you a headache. Strong chemicals can trip the sensors, causing the alarm to go off without any sign of smoke.
Why does my smoke alarm not work?
1. Smoke detector placement. It doesn't take a lot of smoke to trigger the alarm. If your smoke detector is within 10 feet of a cooking appliance such as your stove, toaster, or toaster oven, then this may be the cause of your false alarms.
Why do smoke detectors have false alarms?
Smoke detectors are also sensitive to particles in the air that are released by strong-smelling chemicals. If you’re remodeling your home, deep cleaning, or using strong chemicals for another reason , this may be a cause of your false alarms.
How to test smoke detector sensitivity?
There are several ways to test your smoke detector sensitivity: Buy some calibrated smoke detector test spray. Follow the instructions included with the product to ensure proper testing and accurate results. If your alarm came with a testing instrument issued by the manufacturer, you can use this to conduct your test.
What happens if my smoke alarm goes off?
If your smoke alarm does go off, you'll receive an instant notification via the Vivint app. When smoke alarms are integrated with an entire smart home system, you'll enjoy peace of mind–whether you’re away on a business trip or playing with the kids in the backyard.
How does a smoke detector work?
Once smoke particles enter the internal chamber of the device, the particles scatter the beam and redirect it to a photocell, which then triggers the alarm.
What are the two types of smoke detectors?
When it comes to smoke alarms, there are two main types: photoelectric and ionization. Ionization smoke detection employs the use of ions and electrons that whizz around electrodes. When smoke enters the ionization chamber, it sticks to the ions, which disrupts the chemistry and activates the alarm. Both types of smoke detection will activate ...
How do insects set off smoke alarms?
Once inside, insects can set off the alarm by interfering with the sensors. You may want to open up your smoke detector to see if there’s a pesky nuisance crawling around inside.
What happens if one alarm sounds?
If one alarm sounds, each unit in the home should also sound. If a fire broke out in the middle of the night on the main floor, you would want your family members sleeping in the basement to be alerted as soon as possible so they could quickly escape.
What are the different types of smoke detectors?
There are different types of smoke alarms. There are two main types of smoke alarms: - Photoelectric smoke alarms: those that use photoelectric detection - Ionization smoke alarms: those that use an ionization for detection. Ionization detectors are more common because they are generally mass produced and typically, it is an inexpensive unit, ...
What is Vivint smoke detector?
The Vivint smoke detector is part of a home security package that connects your smoke detector with other security features, including 24/7 expert professional monitoring, to keep you and your family safe. For more tips and resources on fire alarms or fire prevention, visit the NFPA National Fire Protection Association.
How to avoid false alarms?
Avoid false alarms by looking for an alarm that automatically alerts a monitoring team when it sounds. This may come as part of a smart home security package with multiple products to protect your family. Having a little extra protection and instant professional help onboard never hurts.
What happens if you don't change your detector battery?
If you don’t change your detector's batteries, you’ll likely hear that annoying high-pitched periodic chirp until you do. While the sound is grating, it does an excellent job reminding you when the battery is low, and it is time for a fresh one. If you’re not sure whether or not the battery is dead, test it in a non-safety device.
Is carbon monoxide poisoning more dangerous than fire?
8. Combination alarms are available. Arguably even more dangerous than a fire is carbon monoxide poisoning. Carbon monoxide gas is odorless and tasteless, yet extremely toxic, and therefore very dangerous. It is produced by vehicles and gas-powered furnaces and unsafe levels of it cause hundreds of deaths each year.
Do not paint smoke alarms?
Most smoke alarms come with a warning printed directly on them that says “do not paint.” Paint can restrict airflow and cause the alarm to have difficulty detecting a fire.
