• In all First Alert® ONELINK® alarms, there are two silence features: Alarm Silence can quiet nuisance alarms for several minutes. Low Battery Silence can temporarily silence the low battery chirp for up to eight hours before replacing the battery. This is a key feature when the low battery chirp begins in the middle of the night and you do not have any replacement batteries. You can quiet the chirp and then replace the batteries when it's more convenient.
    • The First Alert® ONELINK® system uses photoelectric smoke sensors. Photoelectric sensor technology is more nuisance resistant around kitchens and bathrooms, which traditionally are more prone to nuisance alarms from cooking smoke and steam from showers. Some areas of the country require photoelectric alarms near high nuisance areas like kitchens and bathrooms.
    • It is important to follow these steps carefully when programming your First Alert® ONELINK® smoke detectors. TO PROGRAM FIRST ALARM: 1. Insert 2 AA batteries. Alarm will say: "Welcome, First Alert® Smoke Alarm." It will then say "No location programmed" if this is the first time the device has been activated, or "[Location, example: "Basement"] location programmed" when changing batteries. The ONELINK® detector will then say "To select location, press and hold test button now." 2. Press & Hold Test Button if you would like to program the location or change the location of the alarm. Release button after alarm responds. Alarm will say: "To save location, press and hold test button after location is heard." The ONELINK® smoke detector will speak list of locations. 3. After you hear the location of where you are placing the Alarm, Press & Hold the Test Button. Alarm Will Say: "[Location, example: "Basement"] location saved." If no location is chosen: "No location saved." Your Alarm has now been programmed for the location of your choice. ADDING AND LINKING ADDITIONAL ONELINK® ALARMS NOTE: To create your integrated smoke detector system, steps 1 through 3 below need to be completed within two minutes. If more than two minutes pass, the green power LED will stop blinking. Simply open the battery drawer of the second detector and repeat steps 1 through 3. 1. Insert the batteries into the battery drawer of the next detector. DO NOT CLOSE THE DRAWER. 2. Press and hold the test button and then close the battery drawer. 3. Once you hear the unit chirp, release the test button. The green power LED will start to blink indicating the ONELINK® detector is waiting for program data from one of the other existing ONELINK® alarms that are already set up.
    • The First Alert® ONELINK® wireless integrated smoke alarm system automatically links through the software using 65,000 security code combinations. This eliminates manual dip switch programming saving confusion and time when installing. With First Alert® ONELINK® alarms there is an extremely small chance of a duplicate code being programmed in an adjacent home, ensuring that your wireless integrated smoke alarm system should not receive interference from another system nearby.
    • First Alert® ONELINK® is a complete integrated wireless smoke alarm and carbon monoxide alarm system. As with hardwired units, NFPA states that up to 18 total units can be interconnected (RF or hardwired) with a maximum of 12 of those being smoke alarms and the balance carbon monoxide alarms. Take maximum advantage of the flexibility and protection that a First Alert® ONELINK® integrated wireless alarm system can provide.
    • First Alert® ONELINK® smoke alarms operate on a "mesh network" to integrate smoke alarms for better safety and response in an emergency. All of the First Alert® ONELINK® alarms send, receive and resend the initiating alarm's signal. Why is this important? Let's say the signal is blocked from reaching the master bedroom alarm either by distance or some obstruction in the home. With First Alert® ONELINK® safety products, the mesh network of alarms re-routes and resends the signal via the other alarms, providing a greater chance all alarms will receive the signal. The "mesh network" is a more reliable means of wireless communication.
    • Different models of First Alert® smoke alarm use different sizes of battery. The most common are: 9v, AA, AAA or long life lithium. When selecting a replacement battery, First Alert® recommends Using a high-quality battery such as lithium smoke detector batteries - having plenty of power is worth any extra cost. To find which batteries are approved for your First Alert® Smoke Alarm, check your users manual or the nameplate on the back of the alarm. Never use rechargeable batteries because they may not always provide a consistent charge.
    • There are generally two types of smoke detectors - ionization smoke detectors and photoelectric type smoke detectors. Smoke particles of a varying number and size are produced in all fires. Ionization Sensor Technology - Smoke Alarms using ionization sensor technology are generally more sensitive than photoelectric technology smoke detectors at sensing small particles, which tend to be produced in greater amounts by hot, flaming fires, that are consuming combustible materials rapidly and may spread quickly. Sources of these fires may include paper burning in a wastebasket, or a grease fire in the kitchen. Photoelectric Sensor Technology - Smoke Alarms using photoelectric sensor technology are generally more sensitive than ionization technology at sensing large smoke 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 technology on each level and in every bedroom of your home. First Alert® safety products offer full lines of Photoelectric, Ionization and Combination Smoke Alarms. To view an alarm that utilizes both sensor types, click here
    • Any of the following situations can cause a false alarm from your smoke detector:
      • The cover or sensor chamber may be covered by dust or dirt. Alarms may look clean, but dust can accumulate inside the cover, even in newly built homes. Gently vacuum your smoke alarm regularly using the soft brush attachment.
      • Insects may have clogged the sensor chamber. Clean the smoke detector with the soft brush attachment on your vacuum. To prevent repeat problems, clean and treat the surrounding area with insect repellent (DO NOT SPRAY THE SMOKE DETECTOR ITSELF).
      • You may have experienced a power interruption. Hardwired smoke detectors may sound briefly when power is interrupted then restored.
      • If you have hard wired smoke detectors, you may have a loose electrical connection on your AC or AC/DC smoke alarm. In AC or AC/DC smoke alarms, loose connections can intermittently disconnect power to the smoke alarm. The effect is the same as a power failure. When power is restored, the units may sound briefly.
    • Smoke alarms have a limited life. Although each smoke alarm and all of its parts have passed many stringent tests and are designed to be as reliable as possible, any of these parts could fail over time. Therefore, you must test the devices weekly. The unit should be replaced immediately if it is not operating properly. The performance of smoke detectors older than 10 years is simply not reliable. To ensure your family's safety, all carbon monoxide and smoke/CO combination alarms need to be replaced every 7 years. All smoke alarms need to be replaced every 10 years. Remember: Once an alarm has passed it's 10-year life span, your level of protection is greatly reduced. It is important to replace old alarms to maintain a maximum level of protection.
    • It is important that you frequently test your smoke detectors. When you are testing your Smoke Alarm, there are a number of reasons why the alarm might not sound:
      • You may not be holding the test button down long enough. Try holding it down for up to 10 seconds (20 seconds on photoelectric models.)
      • Your battery may not be installed properly or snapped all the way in place. Even if the alarm sounded briefly when the battery touched the terminals, it may not be snapped securely in place. A loose battery cannot power the smoke alarm properly.
      • Your AC power may not be on. Hardwired units will have a power indicator light (red or green) that shines continuously when they are receiving electrical power.
      • If you have a 10-Year model, the smoke alarm may not have been properly activated. If the tab broke away before the alarm was activated, you can use a toothpick to move the switch over to test the alarm.
    • To ensure maximum protection it is important that you have the proper placement for your smoke detectors. Smoke alarms should be placed on every level of your home (including the basement) inside each bedroom and outside of each sleeping area. Mount smoke alarms in the middle of the ceiling when ceiling mounted. If that is not possible, mount detectors on the wall at least three feet away from a corner and within 12 inches from the ceiling. Alarms should also be installed at least 10 feet from appliances like furnaces and ovens, which produce combustion particles. As well as be at least 10 feet from high humidity areas like showers and laundry rooms, and at least 3 feet from heat/AC vents. Because smoke rises, it is recommended that you install your smoke alarms near the top of a wall or on the ceiling.
    • There are a number of possible causes for your smoke alarm to keep chirping even with a new battery:
      • It is possible that your smoke detector "silence" button was pushed by mistake. The alarm will now "chirp" once a minute for up to 15 minutes before resetting.
      • Are you sure it's the smoke alarm? funny to ask, but other devices have similar low battery chirps or warning tones.
      • Even "new" batteries may not be fresh. If batteries are stored, especially in cold areas like refrigerators, they lose their charge more quickly. Always check the freshness date on the package when buying new batteries. Keep plenty of replacement batteries on hand so that you are sure to always be protected by your smoke alarms.
    • It is normal for the smoke alarms to go off and sound briefly (up to 5-10 seconds) when you install a new battery or they are powered up. If the alarm continues to go off and no smoke is present, the cause may be:
      • There may be insufficient battery power. Try another battery.
      • Problems with voltage or insufficient electrical power (brown out) may cause a continuous weak sounding alarm. For hardwired alarms, 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.
      • Incompatible warning device. If an incompatible alarm or auxiliary device is linked into a series of hardwired smoke alarms, it may cause the system inadvertently go off.
    • Carbon monoxide (CO) is a by-product of incomplete combustion. Common causes of carbon monoxide production can be gas or oil appliances like a furnace, clothes dryer, range, oven, water heater, or space heaters that are not working properly. When appliances and vents work properly, there is enough fresh air in your home to allow for complete combustion. In these typical conditions, trace amounts of CO produced by these sources are typically not dangerous. However, there are common conditions that can cause CO levels to rise quickly:
      • Appliance malfunction, i.e. the heat exchanger on your furnace cracks.
      • Vent, flue, or chimney is blocked by debris or even snow.
      • Fireplace, wood burning stove, charcoal grill or other source of burning material is not properly vented.
      • Vehicle is left running in an attached garage and carbon monoxide seeps into the house.
      • Several appliances running at the same time and competing for limited fresh air can be a cause of carbon monoxide buildup. This condition can result in incomplete combustion and produce CO, even if all appliances are in good working condition.
      Never Ignore an Alarm. Your Carbon Monoxide Alarm is designed to alert you before you feel sick, it should never be ignored or disabled.
    • If your carbon monoxide alarm went off, it detected a dangerous level of CO gas. Here are some reasons why a responder may not find CO during an investigation:
      • Carbon monoxide gas dissipated in fresh air. If windows and doors open before a responder arrived, the same concentration of CO gas may no longer be present. Be safe first and vent dangerous carbon monoxide gas to the outside. The responder can try to recreate the conditions.
      • The alarm may have been caused by an on-again, off-again problem. CO alarms measure gas exposure over time, so the exact conditions that cause an alarm may be difficult to duplicate in an investigation.
    • A First Alert® carbon monoxide detector life span is warranted for 7 years. After 7 years any detector should be replaced with a new CO Alarm. Alarms may have an actual life span that is shorter due to environmental conditions and may need to be replaced sooner. Test them weekly and if a problem arises while still under warranty, please call for a replacement. Batteries should be replaced as needed for those alarms requiring them.
    • Your Carbon Monoxide Alarm is designed to alert you before you feel sick. It should never be ignored or disabled. Carbon Monoxide Detector false alarms should not occur if your alarm is in working order. Remember, CO is an odorless, colorless gas. If your carbon monoxide alarm went off, it detected potentially harmful amounts of CO. After the professionals have evaluated the situation, make sure no one has any symptoms of CO poisoning. Here are a few situations that may cause a Carbon Monoxide Detector false alarms:
      • The CO alarm needs to be relocated. Carbon monoxide alarms should be located 15-20 feet away from all fossil fuel burning sources like furnaces and stoves. Alarms should be located 10 feet away from sources of humidity like showers.
      • Fossil fuel burning appliances may not be burning fuel completely. Check pilot lights/flames for blue color. Appearance of yellow or orange flames indicates incomplete combustion-a source of carbon monoxide.
      • The type and age of the CO alarm may cause a false alarm. If your carbon monoxide detector is one with a Sensor Pack Module, the SensorPack Module should be replaced after 2 years of use.
      Remember: Carbon Monoxide Alarms must be replaced after 7 years.
    • The National Fire Protection Association of Canada (NFPA) recommends that you should have a Carbon Monoxide Alarm centrally located outside of each separate sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of the bedroom. For added protection, you should have additional Carbon Monoxide Alarms in each separate bedroom and on every level of your house, including the basement. Some provinces now require that you have a Carbon Monoxide Alarm in each bedroom of the house. If you install only one Carbon Monoxide Alarm in your home, locate it near or in your bedroom.
    • Carbon Monoxide Alarms can be placed at any height on a wall or ceiling. It is a common misunderstanding that Carbon Monoxide Alarms must be placed near the ground to accurately detect levels of CO. In truth, Carbon Monoxide is roughly the same weight as air, and distributes evenly throughout a room. This means a CO detector can be placed at any height on a wall or ceiling. It is important to keep in mind that the CO Alarm must be placed in an area that allows for the siren to be heard. The First Alert® brand team recommends placing a Carbon Monoxide Detector in all sleeping areas, as well as living areas and the basement. As Carbon Monoxide moves freely through the air, the Alarm must not be located near a ceiling fan, or blocked by furniture in order to detect CO levels accurately. Be sure to keep your Carbon Monoxide Alarm clean, and out of the way of children or pets. It is important to refer to your user's manual for specific installation requirements as to where to install your carbon monoxide detector. Carbon Monoxide Alarms should be installed in each sleeping area, living area, and basement. Always follow the included instructions when installing your Carbon Monoxide Alarm.
    • A flashing green light is a normal part of the power up cycle. Any time there is a power outage, brownout, surge or other problem with the power, the alarm goes through a power up cycle. The flashing on your plug-in carbon monoxide alarm should stop after 5 minutes, then the light will stay a steady green. This power up cycle occurs with all First Alert® plug-in carbon monoxide detectors.
    • Pressing the test - silence button is the only proper way to test the CO alarm. NEVER use vehicle exhaust or any other source of combustion fumes. Exhaust causes permanent damage and voids your warranty. For alarms with the remote control Carbon Monoxide alarm test - silence, you can also use your household IR (standard television) remote control to test or silence the alarm.
    • Removing the battery from your Carbon Monoxide Alarm will leave you unprotected from an increase in CO levels in your home. Do not remove the battery from your Carbon Monoxide Alarm to silence or reset it. The Carbon Monoxide alarm is designed to reset automatically. Use the Test/Silence Button to quiet the alarm while the alarm is resetting. The only time the battery should be removed from the Carbon Monoxide alarm is when it is being replaced.
    • Carbon monoxide gas problems can happen at any time. Remember, your furnace or space heaters aren't the only source of carbon monoxide. Gas ranges, water heaters, dryers, charcoal grills, or vehicles left running in an attached garage can all cause carbon monoxide gas problems.
    • Actual carbon monoxide detector battery life depends on the specific carbon monoxide alarm and the environment in which it is installed. Batteries specified in the user’s manual are the only acceptable replacement batteries. Regardless of the manufacturer's suggested carbon monoxide detector battery life, you MUST replace the battery immediately if the unit starts "chirping" to signal the end of its battery life.