Saturday, September 3, 2011
Kidde i4618 Firex Hardwire Ionization Smoke Detector with Battery Backup Review
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(More customer reviews)My home was built in 2001, and it was equipped with Firex 120-1072B units in each room wired for interconnectivity. One of my units began to sound randomly even when there was no fire. I tried changing the battery, but I still had the same results. So after searching online, I found that the Kidde i4618 is the current replacement model.
After purchasing the model, I was hoping that I could use an adapter between the wiring in my Firex unit and the Kidde. However, I found that I was mistaken in what I thought I had read. I am about as unhandy a man as they come, and I really wasn't looking forward to rewiring for the new unit. The hardest part of the process turned out finding the correct breaker as mine are not labeled. At least for my house (please know that yours may well be different), the smoke detectors were on a dedicated breaker. Once I found it and switched it off, it was very easy from there. I removed the two screws from the bracket of the Firex unit and then uncapped the wires. The Firex wires were easy to remove. I rewired black, white, and red as indicated and put the yellow caps back on to cover the wires. Then it was a simple matter of screwing in the new mount, connecting the wire, and twisting the Kidde unit into place. Once I flipped the breaker back on, everything was back to normal.
There is one nice thing on these new units. The battery door is on the face of the unit rather than the back. The old Firex unit has the battery in the back, and it was a pain to replace the battery. Another nice improvement of the Firex unit is the power connector is much easier to plug and unplug without being insecure.
So if this is the replacement for your old Firex smoke alarm, don't hesitate to get this one from Kidde. I'm pleased with the results, and I think you will be too. Please feel free to ask questions in the comments section below.
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The Firex i4618 Hardwire Smoke Alarm by Kidde is an ionization smoke alarm that operates on a 120V power source with 9V battery backup. The Firex i4618 smoke alarm offers many benefits for installers and homeowners, such as its easy-access slide load front battery door.
This alarm is powered by your home's electricity and will interconnect with other smoke alarms in your home. Experts recommend interconnected alarms, because when one sounds, they all sound, providing an early warning against fire by dramatically increasing your ability to hear an alarm anywhere in your home, regardless of where the fire starts.
This alarm uses ionization sensing technology. Ionization sensing alarms may detect invisible fire particles (associated with flaming fires) sooner than photoelectric alarms. Photoelectric sensing alarms may detect visible particles (associated with smoldering fires) sooner than ionization alarms. Kidde strongly recommends that both ionization and photoelectric smoke alarms be installed to help insure maximum detection of the various types of fire that can occur within the home.
Interconnectable for Improved Safety Fire and consumer experts recommend interconnected alarms for added protection. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), most Americans feel they are more at risk of being a victim of a tornado than of a house fire. Actually the opposite is true. Fires are more common than any other disaster that strikes a family at home, and can become deadly in minutes.
You have on average less than three minutes from the time you hear a smoke alarm to escape a fire. The sooner you hear an alarm, the sooner you can get out safely. Smoke alarms that link together so that when one goes off, they all go off, are called interconnected alarms. These alarms provide more warnings in more places, giving your family more time to escape a house fire. Houses built after 1993 are required by building codes to have interconnected alarms that are wired into their electrical system.
Interconnects with Other Devices Interconnects with all Kidde, Firex, Fyrnetics, Lifesaver and Nighthawk alarms, strobe lights, and relay modules with interconnect functionality.
Trademarked Hush Feature for Convenience By pressing the Hush button, you can easily and safely silence nuisance alarms caused by non-emergency situations, such as overcooked dinners.
This alarm's Smart Hush feature has the capability of temporarily desensitizing the alarm circuit for up to 8 minutes. This feature is to be used only when a known alarm condition, such as smoke from cooking, activates the alarm. The smoke alarm is desensitized by pushing the Test/Hush button on the smoke alarm cover. If the smoke is not too dense, the alarm will silence immediately. The red LED will illuminate for 1.5 seconds every 8 seconds while in hush. This indicates that the alarm is in a temporarily desensitized condition. The smoke alarm will automatically reset after approximately 8 minutes and sound the alarm if particles of combustion are still present. Smart Hush can be used repeatedly until the air has been cleared of the condition causing the alarm. Pushing the Test/Hush button on the alarm will end the hush period.
Reliable 9-Volt Battery Backup, Indicator LED, and Test Feature Because a smoke alarm only helps protect you if it's working, this unit features a red LED that flashes every 30 to 40 seconds to indicate that it is operating correctly. For additional peace of mind, the alarm also contains a test/reset button that enables you to periodically test its circuitry and horn.
The alarm's standard 9-volt battery provides continuous protection against smoke and fire hazards, even during power outages. The unit offers a low battery warning that issues a brief chirp every 30 to 40 seconds for at least seven days before losing power, letting you know that it's time to change the battery.
The unit measures just 5.6 inches in diameter and 1.8 inches deep, and it features a neutral, white finish. It includes tamper resist features to deter vandalism or theft.
This alarm is UL listed, so you can be confident of its quality, and it is backed by a 5-year limited warranty.
About Kidde: A UTC Fire & Security Brand Renowned for global leadership in fire detection and suppression, Kidde provides solutions ranging from portable fire extinguishers to advanced industrial controls such as flame detection and explosion suppression systems.
Kidde is a UTC Fire & Security brand, with a history that's rich with innovations, from the patent of the Chubb Detector Lock in 1818 to the development of the world's first wireless networked smoke detectors in 2004.
What's in the Box One i4618 ionization smoke alarm with mounting bracket and mounting hardware, one 9 volt battery, a 5-year limited warranty and a bilingual user's manual.
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1 comments:
We have 3 of them and they keep beeping every 30-40 seconds. We have tried new batteries and everything, they just keep beeping. We've checked and they aren't dusty at all (we just installed them less than 6 months ago) and they won't stop beeping.
Givin the name of your blog is "firxsmokealarmbeeping.blogspot.com" I'm a bit shocked your post is praising them... Especially the Firex smoke alarm that we're struggling with...
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