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Thank you for choosing First Alert® for your Smoke Alarm needs. You have purchased a state of the art Smoke Alarm designed to provide you with an early warning of a fire. Please take the time to read this manual and make this Smoke Alarm an integral part of your family's safety plan.
Key Features of the 7010B and 7020B Smoke Alarms:
Photoelectric Smoke Sensing Technology: Generally more sensitive at detecting large particles, which tend to be produced in greater amounts by smoldering fires.
Optipath 360 TechnologyTM: Patented technology provides 360˚ of direct access to the smoke sensor.
Single Button Test/Silence: One touch button combines both features.
Alarm Latch: Remembers which unit initiated an alarm.
Perfect Mount: Mounting bracket keeps alarm secure over a wide rotation range to allow for perfect alignment.
Battery back-up: Keeps alarm functioning during a power interruption provided battery is fresh and installed properly.
Escape Light® (Model 7020B only): Bright escape light activates when this unit goes into alarm to illuminate your path to safety.
© 2016 BRK Brands, Inc. All rights reserved. Distributed by BRK Brands, Inc.
All First Alert ® and BRK ® Smoke Alarms conform to regulatory requirements, including UL217 and are designed to detect particles of combustion. Smoke particles of varying number and size are produced in all fires.
Ionization technology is generally more sensitive than photoelectric technology at detecting small particles, which tend to be produced in greater amounts by flaming fires, which consume combustible materials rapidly and spread quickly. Sources of these fires may include paper burning in a wastebasket, or a grease fire in the kitchen.
Photoelectric technology is generally more sensitive than ionization technology at detecting large particles, which tend to be produced in greater amounts by smoldering fires, which may smolder for hours before bursting into flame. Sources of these fires may include cigarettes burning in couches or bedding.
For maximum protection, use both types of Smoke Alarms on each level and in every bedroom of your home.
Follow safety rules and prevent hazardous situations:
Keep alarms clean, and test them weekly. Replace alarms immediately if they are not working properly. Smoke Alarms that do not work cannot alert you to a fire. Keep at least one working fire extinguisher on every floor, and an additional one in the kitchen. Have fire escape ladders or other reliable means of escape from an upper floor in case stairs are blocked.
Read "Recommended Locations for Smoke Alarms" and "Locations to Avoid for Smoke Alarms" before beginning. This unit monitors the air, and when smoke reaches its sensing chamber, it alarms. It can give you more time to escape before fire spreads. This unit can ONLY give an early warning of developing fires if it is installed, maintained and located where smoke can reach it, and where all residents can hear it, as described in this manual. This unit will not sense gas, heat, or flame. It cannot prevent or extinguish fires.
Understand The Different Type of Smoke Alarms
Battery powered or electrical? Different Smoke Alarms provide different types of protection. See "About Smoke Alarms" for details.
Know Where To Install Your Smoke Alarms
Fire Safety Professionals recommend at least one Smoke Alarm on every level of your home, in every bedroom, and in every bedroom hallway or separate sleeping area. See "Recommended Locations For Smoke Alarms" and "Locations To Avoid For Smoke Alarms" for details.
Know What Smoke Alarms Can and Can't Do
A Smoke Alarm can help alert you to fire, giving you precious time to escape. It can only sound an alarm once smoke reaches the sensor. See "Limitations of Smoke Alarms" for details.
Check Your Local Building Codes
This Smoke Alarm is designed to be used in a typical single-family home. It alone will not meet requirements for boarding houses, apartment buildings, hotels or motels. See "Special Compliance Considerations" for details.
ELECTRICAL SHOCK HAZARD. Turn off the power to the area where the Smoke Alarm is installed before removing it from the mounting bracket. Failure to turn off the power first may result in serious electrical shock, injury or death.
This Smoke Alarm is designed to be mounted on any standard wiring junction box up to a 4-inch (10 cm) size, on either the ceiling or wall (if allowed by local codes). Read "Recommended Locations For Smoke Alarms" and "Locations to Avoid For Smoke Alarms" before you begin installation.
Tools you will need:
Make sure the Alarm is not receiving excessively noisy power. Examples of noisy power could be major appliances on the same circuit, power from a generator or solar power, light dimmer on the same circuit or mounted near fluorescent lighting. Excessively noisy power may cause damage to your Alarm.
The Mounting Bracket: To remove the mounting bracket from the Smoke Alarm base, hold the Smoke Alarm base firmly and twist the mounting bracket counterclockwise.
The mounting bracket installs onto the junction box.
It has a variety of screw slots to fit most boxes.
The Power Connector: The power connector plugs into a power input block on the Smoke Alarm. It supplies the unit with AC power.
If you need to remove the power connector, turn POWER OFF first. Insert a flat screwdriver blade between the power connector and the security tab inside the power input block.
Gently pry back the tab and pull the connector free.
The Parts of This Unit
The basic installation of this Smoke Alarm is similar whether you want to install one Smoke Alarm, or interconnect more than one Smoke Alarm. If you are interconnecting more than one Smoke Alarm, you MUST read "Special Requirements For Interconnected Smoke Alarms" below before you begin installation.
ELECTRICAL SHOCK HAZARD. Turn off power to the area where you will install this unit at the circuit breaker or fuse box before beginning installation. Failure to turn off the power before installation may result in serious electrical shock, injury or death.
STAND-ALONE ALARM ONLY:
INTERCONNECTED UNITS ONLY:
Strip off about 1/2" (12 mm) of the plastic coating on the orange wire on the power connector.
Improper wiring of the power connector or the wiring leading to the power connector will cause damage to the Alarm and may lead to a non-functioning Alarm.
STAND-ALONE ALARM ONLY:
INTERCONNECTED UNITS ONLY:
ELECTRICAL SHOCK HAZARD. Do not restore power until all Smoke Alarms are completely installed. Restoring power before installation is complete may result in serious electrical shock, injury or death.
Alarms are completely installed. Restoring power before installation is complete may result in serious electrical shock, injury or death.
If any unit in the series does not alarm, TURN OFF POWER and recheck connections.
If it does not alarm when you restore power, replace it immediately
Interconnected units can provide earlier warning of fire than stand-alone units, especially if a fire starts in a remote area of the dwelling. If any unit in the series senses smoke, all units will alarm. To determine which Smoke Alarm initiated an alarm, see table:
During an Alarm:
On Initiating Alarm(s) | Red LED(s) flashes (flash) rapidly |
On All Other Alarms | Red LED is Off |
After an Alarm (Latching):
On Initiating Alarm(s) | Red LED will flash 3 times, spaced one second apart. The pattern repeats approximately every 45 seconds. |
On All Other Alarms | Green LED(s) On, Red LED(s) Off |
Interconnect units within a single family residence only. Otherwise all households will experience unwanted alarms when you test any unit in the series. Interconnected units will only work if they are wired to compatible units and all requirements are met. This unit is designed to be compatible with: First Alert® Smoke Alarm Models SA4120, SA4121B, SA100B, SA520 and BRK® Smoke Alarm Models 9120B, SC6120B, SC9120B, 7010B, 7020B, SC7010B, SC7010BV, 100S, 4120, 4120B, 4120SB; BRK® CO Alarm Models CO5120BN, CO5120PDBN; BRK® Heat Alarm Models HD6135F and HD6135FB; BRK® Auxiliary Devices Models RM3 and RM4 (Relay Modules), SL177 (Strobe Light). See www.brkelectronics.com for most current interconnect list.
Interconnected units must meet ALL of the following requirements:
The locking features are designed to discourage unauthorized removal of the battery or Alarm. It is not necessary to activate the locks in single-family households where unauthorized battery or Alarm removal is not a concern.
These Smoke Alarms have two separate locking features: one to lock the battery compartment, and the other to lock the Smoke Alarm to the mounting bracket. You can choose to use either feature independently, or use them both.
Tools you will need:
Both locking features use locking pins, which are molded into the mounting bracket. Using needle-nose pliers or a utility knife, remove one or both pins from the mounting bracket, depending on how many locking features you want to use.
To permanently remove either lock, insert a flathead screwdriver between the locking pinand the lock, and pry the pin out of the lock.
Do not lock the battery compartment until you have installed the battery and tested the battery back-up.
If the unit does not alarm during testing, DO NOT lock the battery compartment! Install a new battery and test again. If the Smoke Alarm still does not alarm, replace it immediately.
Once the Smoke Alarm is installed, you must disconnect it from the AC power before unlocking the battery compartment.
ELECTRICAL SHOCK HAZARD. Turn off the power to the area where the Smoke Alarm is installed before removing it from the mounting bracket. Failure to turn off the power first may result in serious electrical shock, injury or death.
Always discharge the branch circuit before servicing an AC or AC/DC Smoke Alarm. First, turn off the AC power at the circuit breaker or fuse box. Next, remove the battery from Smoke Alarms with battery back-up. Finally, press and hold the Test/Silence button for 5-10 seconds to discharge the branch circuit.
When replacing the battery, always test the Smoke Alarm before relocking the battery compartment.
ELECTRICAL SHOCK HAZARD. Turn off the power to the area where the Smoke Alarm is installed before removing it from the mounting bracket. Failure to turn off the power first may result in serious electrical shock, injury or death.
Always discharge the branch circuit before servicing an AC or AC/DC Smoke Alarm. First, turn off the AC power at the circuit breaker or fuse box. Next, remove the battery from Smoke Alarms with battery back-up. Finally, press and hold the Test/Silence button for 5-10 seconds to discharge the branch circuit.
AC Power | DC Power | |
Normal Operation | Constant Green LED Flashing Red LED approx. once/minute No Audible Alarm | Green LED Off Flashing Red LED approx. once/minute No Audible Alarm |
Test Condition | Constant Green LED Rapidly Flashing Red LED Audible Alarm Escape Light® On | Green LED Off Rapidly Flashing Red LED Audible Alarm Escape Light® On |
Alarm Condition* (Initiating Unit) | Constant Green LED Rapidly Flashing Red LED Audible Alarm Escape Light® On | Green LED Off Rapidly Flashing Red LED Audible Alarm Escape Light® On |
Silence Mode | Red LED flashes once every 10 seconds | Red LED flashes once every 10 seconds |
Malfunction | Horn sounds 3 chirps Pattern repeats once/minute | Horn sounds 3 chirps Pattern repeats once/minute |
Low Battery | Alarm "chirp'' approx. once/ minute (Not Applicable to Model 7010) | Alarm "chirp'' approx. once/minute |
Alarm Latch | Red LED will flash 3 times, spaced one second apart. Pattern repeats once/minute | Not Applicable |
NOTE: When power is applied, unit(s) may alarm momentarily.
*When any Smoke Alarm in an interconnected series triggers an alarm, its red LED will flash rapidly. The red LEDs will remain OFF on any remaining alarms in the series. This feature helps responders identify which unit(s) triggered the alarm.
DO NOT stand close to the Alarm when the horn is sounding. Exposure at close range may be harmful to your hearing. When testing, step away when horn starts sounding.
It is important to test this unit every week to make sure it is working properly. Using the test button is the recommended way to test this Smoke Alarm. Press and hold the Test/ Silence button on the cover of the unit until the alarm sounds and the Escape Light® turns on (Model 7020B only) (the unit may continue to alarm for a few seconds after you release the button). If it does not alarm, make sure the unit is receiving power and test it again. If it still does not alarm, replace it immediately. During testing, you will hear a loud, repeating horn pattern: 3 beeps, pause, 3 beeps, pause. The Escape Light® will turn on (Model 7020B only). LED flashes once every second. When powered by AC only, Escape Light® will not activate. The Escape Light® feature works only when powered by DC or AC/DC.
When testing a series of interconnected units you must test each unit individually. Make sure all units alarm when each one is tested.
This unit has been designed to be as maintenance-free as possible, but there are a few simple things you must do to keep it working properly:
Your Smoke Alarm requires one standard 9V battery. The following batteries are acceptable as replacements: Eveready #1222, Duracell #MN1604, (Ultra) #MX1604; Eveready (Energizer) #522. You may also use a Lithium battery like the Ultralife U9VL-J, U9VL-J-P for longer service life between battery changes. These batteries are available at many local retail stores.
Actual battery service life depends on the smoke alarm and the environment in which it is installed. All the batteries specified above are acceptable replacement batteries for this unit. Regardless of the manufacturer's suggested battery life, you MUST replace the battery immediately once the unit starts "chirping" (the "low battery warning").
During an alarm, you will hear a loud, repeating horn pattern: 3 beeps, pause, 3 beeps, pause. The Escape Light® will turn on (Model 7020B only).
When an interconnected system of AC powered units is in alarm, the alarm indicator light on the unit(s) that initiated the alarm will blink rapidly. It will remain OFF on any remaining units.
If the unit alarms, get everyone out of the dwelling immediately.
If the unit alarms and you are certain that the source of smoke is not a fire—cooking smoke or an extremely dusty furnace, for example—open a nearby window or door and fan the smoke away from the unit (Use the Silence Feature to silence the Alarm). This will silence the alarm, and once the smoke clears the unit will reset itself automatically.
Alarms have various limitations. See "Limitations of Smoke Alarms" for details.
The Silence Feature can temporarily quiet an unwanted alarm for up to 15 minutes.
The Silence Feature does not disable the unit—it makes it temporarily less sensitive to smoke. For your safety, if smoke around the unit is dense enough to suggest a potentially dangerous situation, the unit will stay in alarm or may re-alarm quickly.
If you do not know the source of the smoke, do not assume it is an unwanted alarm. Not responding to an alarm can result in property loss, injury, or death.
To silence Smoke Alarms in an interconnected series:
The Silence Feature on these units can temporarily quiet an unwanted alarm for up to 15 minutes. To use this feature, press the Test/Silence button on the cover.
If the unit will not silence and no heavy smoke is present, or if it stays in silence mode continuously, it should be replaced immediately.
Alarm Latch is activated after an Alarm is exposed to alarm levels of smoke. After smoke drops below alarm levels, the Red LED will flash 3 times, spaced one second apart. The pattern repeats approximately every 45 seconds unless reset by Test/Silence button. In addition, instead of waiting for up to 45 seconds to see if an alarm has had the Alarm Latch feature set, a unit with an active Alarm Latch can be identified by pressing and holding (without releasing) the Test button. If a unit has an active Alarm Latch, the Red light will blink rapidly (with no horn sound) until the Test button is released. If the unit does not have an active Alarm Latch set, the unit will go through the normal test cycle. Note: Once the Test button is released the Latching Feature will be reset.
This feature helps emergency responders, investigators, or service technicians identify which unit(s) in your home were exposed to alarm levels of smoke. This can help investigators pinpoint the source of smoke. The Alarm Latch stays ON until you clear it, so it can alert you to an alarm that occurred while you were away from home, even though smoke present in the air has dropped below alarm levels.
Smoke Alarms may not operate properly because of dead, missing or weak batteries (Model 7010B only), a build-up of dirt, dust or grease on the Smoke Alarm cover, or installation in an improper location. Clean the Smoke Alarm as described in "Regular Maintenance," and install a fresh battery, then test the Smoke Alarm again. If it fails to test properly when you use the test button, or if the problem persists, replace the Smoke Alarm immediately.
Always discharge the branch circuit before servicing an AC or AC/DC Smoke Alarm. First, turn off the AC power at the circuit breaker or fuse box. Next, remove the battery from Smoke Alarms with battery back-up. Finally, press and hold the test button for 5-10 seconds to discharge the branch circuit.
Do not try fixing the alarm yourself – this will void your warranty!
Installing Smoke Alarms in Single-Family Residences
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), recommends one Smoke Alarm on every floor, in every sleeping area, and in every bedroom. In new construction, the Smoke Alarms must be AC powered and interconnected. See "Agency Placement Recommendations" for details. For additional coverage, it is recommended that you install a Smoke Alarm in all rooms, halls, storage areas, finished attics, and basements, where temperatures normally remain between 40˚ F (4.4˚ C) and 100˚ F (37.8˚ C). Make sure no door or other obstruction could keep smoke from reaching the Smoke Alarms.
More specifically, install Smoke Alarms:
Specific requirements for Smoke Alarm installation vary from state to state and from region to region. Check with your local Fire Department for current requirements in your area. It is recommended AC or AC/DC units be interconnected for added protection.
KEY | |
![]() | SMOKE ALARMS |
![]() | CO ALARMS |
![]() | BOTH OR COMBINATION SMOKE/CO ALARMS |
![]() | ONELINK ENABLED WIRELESS ALARMS |
![]() | HARDWIRED INTERCONNECTED AC OR AC/DC ALARMS |
![]() | WIRELESS INTERCONNECTED ALARMS |
NFPA 72 Chapter 29
"For your information, the National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code, NFPA 72, reads as follows:"
29.5.1* Required Detection.
29.5.1.1* Where required by other governing laws, codes, or standards for a specific type of occupancy, approved single and multiple-station smoke alarms shall be installed as follows:
(Reprinted with permission from NFPA 72®, National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code Copyright © 2010 National Fire Protection Association, Quincy, MA 02269. This reprinted material is not the complete and official position of the National Fire Protection Association, on the referenced subject which is represented only by the standard in its entirety), (National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code® and NFPA 72® are registered trademarks of the National Fire Protection Association, Inc., Quincy, MA 02269).
California State Fire Marshal (CSFM)
Early warning detection is best achieved by the installation of fire detection equipment in all rooms and areas of the household as follows: A Smoke Alarm installed in each separate sleeping area (in the vicinity, but outside bedrooms), and Heat or Smoke Alarms in the living rooms, dining rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, hallways, finished attics, furnace rooms, closets, utility and storage rooms, basements, and attached garages.
For best performance, AVOID installing Smoke Alarms in these areas:
"Dead air" spaces may prevent smoke from reaching the Smoke Alarm. To avoid dead air spaces, follow the installation recommendations below.
On ceilings, install Smoke Alarms as close to the center of the ceiling as possible. If this is not possible, install the Smoke Alarm at least 4 inches (102 mm) from the wall or corner.
For wall mounting (if allowed by building codes), the top edge of Smoke Alarms should be placed between 4 inches (102 mm) and 12 inches (305 mm) from the wall/ceiling line, below typical "dead air" spaces.
On a peaked, gabled, or cathedral ceiling, install the first Smoke Alarm within 3 feet (0.9 meters) of the peak of the ceiling, measured horizontally. Additional Smoke Alarms may be required depending on the length, angle, etc. of the ceiling's slope.
Refer to NFPA 72 for details on requirements for sloped or peaked ceilings.
Battery (DC) operated Smoke Alarms: Provide protection even when electricity fails, provided the batteries are fresh and correctly installed. Units are easy to install, and do not require professional installation. They do not, however, provide interconnected functionality.
AC powered Smoke Alarms: Can be interconnected so if one unit senses smoke, all units alarm. They do not operate if electricity fails. AC with battery (DC) backup: will operate if electricity fails, provided the batteries are fresh and correctly installed. AC and AC/DC units must be installed by a qualified electrician.
Wireless Interconnected Alarms: Offer the same interconnected functionality as with hardwired alarms, without wires. Units are easy to install and do not require professional installation. They provide protection even when electricity fails, provided the batteries are fresh and correctly installed.
Smoke Alarms for Solar or Wind Energy users and battery backup power systems:
AC powered Smoke Alarms should only be operated with true or pure sine wave inverters. Operating this Smoke Alarm with most battery- powered UPS (uninterruptible power supply) products or square wave or "quasi sine wave" inverters will damage the Alarm. If you are not sure about your inverter or UPS type, please consult with the manufacturer to verify.
Smoke Alarms for the hearing impaired: Special purpose Smoke Alarms should be installed for the hearing impaired. They include a visual alarm and an audible alarm horn, and meet the requirements of the Americans With Disabilities Act. These units can be interconnected so if one unit senses smoke, all units alarm.
Smoke alarms are not to be used with detector guards unless the combination has been evaluated and found suitable for that purpose.
All these Smoke Alarms are designed to provide early warning of fires if located, installed and cared for as described in the user's manual, and if smoke reaches the Alarm. If you are unsure which type of unit to install, refer to NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) 72 (National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code) and NFPA 101 (Life Safety Code). National Fire Protection Association, One Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02269-9101. Local building codes may also require specific units in new construction or in different areas of the home.
This Smoke Alarm is suitable for use in apartments, condominiums, townhouses, hospitals, day care facilities, health care facilities, boarding houses, group homes and dormitories provided a primary fire detection system already exists to meet fire detection requirements in common areas like lobbies, hallways, or porches. Using this Smoke Alarm in common areas may not provide sufficient warning to all residents or meet local fire protection ordinances/regulations.
This Smoke Alarm alone is not a suitable substitute for complete fire detection systems in places housing many people—like apartment buildings, condominiums, hotels, motels, dormitories, hospitals, health care facilities, nursing homes, day care facilities, or group homes of any kind. It is not a suitable substitute for complete fire detection systems in warehouses, industrial facilities, commercial buildings, and special-purpose non-residential buildings which require special fire detection and alarm systems. Depending on the building codes in your area, this Smoke Alarm may be used to provide additional protection in these facilities.
In new construction, most building codes require the use of AC or AC/DC powered Smoke Alarms only. In existing construction, AC, AC/DC, or DC powered Smoke Alarms can be used as specified by local building codes. Refer to NFPA 72 (National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code) and NFPA 101 (Life Safety Code), local building codes, or consult your Fire Department for detailed fire protection requirements in buildings not defined as "households".
Smoke Alarms have played a key role in reducing deaths resulting from home fires worldwide. However, like any warning device, Smoke Alarms can only work if they are properly located, installed, and maintained, and if smoke reaches the Alarms. They are not foolproof.
Smoke alarms may not waken all individuals. Practice the escape plan at least twice a year, making sure that everyone is involved – from kids to grandparents. Allow children to master fire escape planning and practice before holding a fire drill at night when they are sleeping. If children or others do not readily waken to the sound of the smoke alarm, or if there are infants or family members with mobility limitations, make sure that someone is assigned to assist them in fire drill and in the event of an emergency. It is recommended that you hold a fire drill while family members are sleeping in order to determine their response to the sound of the smoke alarm while sleeping and to determine whether they may need assistance in the event of an emergency.
Smoke Alarms cannot work without power. Battery operated units cannot work if the batteries are missing, disconnected or dead, if the wrong type of batteries are used, or if the batteries are not installed correctly. AC units cannot work if the AC power is cut off for any reason (open fuse or circuit breaker, failure along a power line or at a power station, electrical fire that burns the electrical wires, etc.). If you are concerned about the limitations of battery or AC power, install both types of units.
Smoke Alarms cannot detect fires if the smoke does not reach the Alarms. Smoke from fires in chimneys or walls, on roofs, or on the other side of closed doors may not reach the sensing chamber and set off the Alarm. That is why one unit should be installed inside each bedroom or sleeping area— especially if bedroom or sleeping area doors are closed at night—and in the hallway between them.
Smoke Alarms may not detect fire on another floor or area of the dwelling. For example, a stand-alone unit on the second floor may not detect smoke from a basement fire until the fire spreads. This may not give you enough time to escape safely. That is why recommended minimum protection is at least one unit in every sleeping area, and every bedroom on every level of your dwelling. Even with a unit on every floor, stand-alone units may not provide as much protection as interconnected units, especially if the fire starts in a remote area. Some safety experts recommend installing interconnected AC powered units with battery back-up (see "About Smoke Alarms") or professional fire detection systems, so if one unit senses smoke, all units alarm. Interconnected units may provide earlier warning than stand-alone units since all units alarm when one detects smoke.
Smoke Alarms may not be heard. Though the alarm horn in this unit meets or exceeds current standards, it may not be heard if:
Smoke Alarms may not have time to alarm before the fire itself causes damage, injury, or death, since smoke from some fires may not reach the unit immediately. Examples of this include persons smoking in bed, children playing with matches, or fires caused by violent explosions resulting from escaping gas.
Smoke Alarms are not foolproof. Like any electronic device, Smoke Alarms are made of components that can wear out or fail at any time. You must test the unit weekly to ensure your continued protection. Smoke Alarms cannot prevent or extinguish fires. They are not a substitute for property or life insurance.
Smoke Alarms have a limited life. The unit should be replaced immediately if it is not operating properly. You should always replace a Smoke Alarm after 10 years from date of purchase. Write the purchase date on the space provided on back of unit.
Here you can download full pdf version of manual, it may contain additional safety instructions, warranty information, FCC rules, etc.
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