First Alert SMCO210 Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Alarm User's Manual

01 Introduction

Thank you for choosing First Alert® for your Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm needs. This manual provides important information about your Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Alarm's operation. Please read it carefully and save it.

Basic Safety Information

• Dangers, Warnings, and Cautions: Pay special attention to these items as they alert you to important operating instructions or potentially hazardous situations.
• Usage: This Smoke/CO Alarm is approved for use in single-family residences. It is NOT designed for marine or RV use.
• Dual Functionality: This combination Smoke/Carbon Monoxide Alarm has two separate alarms. The CO Alarm detects only carbon monoxide gas. The Smoke Alarm detects only smoke.
• Power Dependency: This Smoke/CO Alarm cannot operate without working batteries. Removing or failing to replace batteries removes protection.
• Alarm Response: NEVER ignore any Alarm. Always check your home for a potential problem after any alarm.
• Silence Features: These are for convenience only and do not correct problems.
• Testing: Test this Smoke/CO Alarm once a week. If it fails to test correctly, replace it immediately.
• CO Levels: This product is intended for ordinary indoor locations. It is not designed to measure CO levels for commercial or industrial standards. Consult a physician for information regarding CO sensitivity and medical conditions.

02 About Smoke Alarms

This section discusses different types of smoke alarms and their technologies.

Types of Alarms

• Battery (DC) Operated: Provide protection during power outages; easy to install; do not offer interconnected functionality.
• AC Powered: Can be interconnected so all units alarm if one senses smoke; do not operate if electricity fails.
• AC with Battery (DC) Back-up: Operate during power failures; require installation by a qualified electrician.
• For Solar or Wind Energy Users: Use only with true or pure sine wave inverters.
• For the Hearing Impaired: Special purpose alarms with visual and audible alarms are available.

Smoke Detection Technology

• Ionization Technology: Generally more sensitive to smaller particles produced by flaming fires.
• Photoelectric Technology: Generally more sensitive to larger particles produced by smoldering fires.

For maximum protection, use both types of Smoke Alarms on each level and in every bedroom.

03 Installation

Where to Install This Alarm

Minimum Coverage (NFPA Recommendations): One Smoke Alarm on every level, in every sleeping area, and in every bedroom. For CO Alarms, centrally located outside sleeping areas and on every level.

Recommended Placement:

• On every level of your home, including finished attics and basements.
• Inside every bedroom.
• In the hall near every sleeping area. If a hall is more than 40 feet (12 meters) long, install a unit at each end.
• At the top of first-to-second level stairs and at the bottom of basement stairs.
• In rooms, halls, and storage areas where temperatures are between 40˚ F (4.4˚ C) and 100˚ F (37.8˚ C).

Wall/Ceiling Mounting:

• Wall: Top edge of alarm between 4 inches (102 mm) and 12 inches (305 mm) from the wall/ceiling line.
• Ceiling: As close to the center as possible.
• Install at least 4 inches (102 mm) from where the wall and ceiling meet.

Ensure no obstruction prevents smoke or CO from reaching the sensor.

Where Not to Install This Alarm

• Garages, furnace rooms, crawl spaces, unfinished attics.
• Areas with excessive dust, dirt, or grease.
• Areas where combustion particles are produced (e.g., poorly ventilated kitchens, garages, furnace rooms). Keep at least 20 feet (6 meters) from sources like stoves, furnaces, water heaters.
• Within 5 feet (1.5 meters) of cooking appliances or in air streams near kitchens.
• Extremely humid areas (within 10 feet/3 meters of showers, saunas, etc.).
• In direct sunlight.
• In turbulent air (near ceiling fans, open windows).
• Areas with temperatures outside 40˚ F (4.4˚ C) to 100˚ F (37.8˚ C).
• Insect-infested areas.
• Less than 12 inches (305 mm) from fluorescent lights.
• In “dead air” spaces.

Avoiding Dead Air Spaces

Install alarms away from corners and the junction of walls and ceilings to avoid dead air spaces where smoke may not reach the sensor.

How to Install This Alarm

This unit is designed for ceiling or wall mounting.

Tools Needed: Pencil, drill with 3/16” (5 mm) drill bit, flathead screwdriver, hammer.

Parts:

• 1. Test/Silence button
• 2. Dual power indicator light and Alarm indicator (Green LED for memory, Red LED for Alarm/hush)
• 3. Turn to remove
• 4. Turn to attach
• 5. Mounting bracket
• 6. Mounting slots

Steps:

1. Choose a location (refer to "Where to Install").
2. Mark hole locations 4-1/4" apart using the mounting bracket. Ensure holes are horizontally aligned for wall mounting.
3. Drill holes using a 3/16" (5 mm) drill bit.
4. Insert plastic screw anchors into holes. Tap gently with a hammer until flush.
5. Insert screws, leaving them about 1/4" (6mm) from the wall. Attach mounting bracket, aligning slots with screws. Tighten screws until snug.
6. Mount Alarm to bracket to activate the battery. Ensure the Alarm is locked into the bracket.
7. Test the Alarm.

Indicator Lights and Sounds:

04 Alarm Features

• No Battery Replacements: No low battery chirps for the life of the Alarm.
• Slim Profile Design: Half the depth of a standard Alarm.
• End of Life Warning: Alerts you when it's time to replace the unit.

Optional Locking Feature

This feature prevents unauthorized removal. A locking pin is molded into the mounting bracket. To remove the pin, use needle-nose pliers or a utility knife. To lock the bracket, insert the pin through the hole on the back of the Alarm, aligning its head with a notch on the bracket.

How to Permanently Deactivate

After 10 years of operation or for malfunction/end-of-life warnings, deactivate the Alarm by inserting a tool below the indicated edge to break the tab, then slide the activation switch to deactivate mode. The unit will no longer function.

05 Testing & Maintenance

Weekly Testing

• Warning: Never use an open flame or vehicle exhaust to test. Do not stand close to the alarm when the horn sounds.
• Test the unit weekly by pressing and holding the Test/Silence button for 3-5 seconds until the unit alarms.
• The alarm will sound 3 beeps, pause, 3 beeps, then 4 beeps, pause, 4 beeps, with the LED flashing Red.
• If the unit does not alarm, replace it immediately.

Regular Maintenance

• Test at least once a week.
• Clean the exterior at least once a month using a vacuum cleaner's soft brush attachment or compressed air. Follow compressed air instructions.
• Never use water, cleaners, or solvents.
• If the alarm becomes contaminated and cannot be cleaned, replace it immediately.
• If the green power LED flashes twice per minute, the alarm needs cleaning. If the light continues to flash, replace the alarm.
• Relocate the unit if it sounds frequent unwanted alarms.
• Cover or protect the alarm during home maintenance like sanding or painting.

Note: The battery is sealed and not replaceable. Actual battery life depends on usage and environment.

Troubleshooting Guide

For questions not answered in this manual, call the Consumer Support Team at 1-800-323-9005.

06 If Your Smoke/CO Alarm Sounds

Identify the Type of Alarm Signal

If the CO Alarm Sounds

“ALARM-MOVE TO FRESH AIR”

• If you hear the CO Alarm horn and the CO red light is flashing, move everyone to fresh air. Do not remove batteries.
• Warning: CO presence can be deadly. Do not ignore the CO Alarm.
• Steps:
  1. Press the Test/Silence button.
  2. Call your emergency services (e.g., 911 or Fire Department).
  3. Immediately move to fresh air. Do a head count. Do not re-enter until emergency services arrive and the premises are aired out.
  4. If the CO Alarm reactivates within 24 hours, repeat steps and call a qualified appliance technician to investigate CO sources and equipment operation.

Note: A qualified appliance technician services HVAC and combustion equipment.

If the Smoke Alarm Sounds

Warning: If the unit alarms and you are not testing it, it indicates a potentially dangerous situation requiring immediate attention. Never ignore an alarm.

• Do not remove batteries to silence an unwanted alarm. Open a window or fan the smoke away. The alarm will reset automatically.
• If the unit alarms, get everyone out of the house immediately.

What to Do in Case of Fire

• Stay calm and follow your escape plan.
• Evacuate quickly; do not stop to dress or collect belongings.
• Feel doors with the back of your hand before opening. If cool, open slowly. Do not open hot doors. Keep doors and windows closed unless escaping through them.
• Cover your nose and mouth with a cloth (preferably damp). Take short breaths.
• Meet at a planned location outside and do a head count.
• Call the Fire Department from outside.
• Never go back inside a burning building.
• Contact your Fire Department for fire safety advice.

Warning: Alarms have limitations. See "General Limitations of Smoke/CO Alarms".

07 Using the Silence Features

Warning: Never deactivate the unit to quiet an unwanted alarm.

• The Silence Feature temporarily silences the horn for several minutes while you identify and correct the problem. Press the Test/Silence button for 3-5 seconds. The Red LED blinks during silence mode.
• Silencing the End of Life Signal: This feature can temporarily quiet the End of Life warning chirp for up to 2 days. Press the Test/Silence button. The horn will chirp to acknowledge activation. The chirp will resume after approximately 2 days.

08 What You Need to Know About CO

What is CO?

CO (Carbon Monoxide) is an invisible, odorless, tasteless gas produced when fossil fuels do not burn completely. Common sources include wood, coal, oil, natural gas, and gasoline-powered appliances. Improperly maintained or ventilated appliances can lead to dangerous CO levels.

Symptoms of CO Poisoning

• Mild Exposure: Headache, nausea, vomiting, fatigue (flu-like symptoms).
• Medium Exposure: Throbbing headache, drowsiness, confusion, fast heart rate.
• Extreme Exposure: Convulsions, unconsciousness, heart and lung failure. Can cause brain damage and death.

Important: This CO Alarm measures exposure over time and alarms at high levels quickly or moderate levels over longer periods. It generally alarms before symptoms appear in healthy adults. Young children and pets may be affected first. Consult your doctor immediately if you experience any CO poisoning symptoms.

Finding the Source of CO After an Alarm

Locating the source of CO can be difficult due to ventilation, backdrafting, or transient CO problems. First Alert is not obligated to pay for CO investigations or service calls.

Potential Sources of CO in the Home

• Fuel-burning appliances (heaters, fireplaces, gas stoves, clothes dryers).
• Damaged or insufficient venting (corroded pipes, blocked chimneys).
• Improper use of appliances (e.g., running vehicles in garages).
• Transient CO problems caused by outdoor conditions (wind, negative pressure from exhaust fans) or extended use of unvented devices.

How Can I Protect My Family from CO Poisoning?

• Use a CO Alarm as a primary means of protection.
• Clean chimneys and flues yearly; check for damage.
• Test and maintain all fuel-burning equipment annually.
• Visually inspect fuel-burning appliances for rust, check flame color (should be blue). Ensure appliances are vented to the outside.
• Check for exhaust backflow and cracks in furnace heat exchangers.
• Keep windows and doors open slightly if you suspect CO is escaping into your home.

Familiarize yourself with this manual and understand what to do if your CO Alarm sounds.

09 Regulatory Information for Smoke Alarms

Recommended Locations for Smoke Alarms

Single-Family Residences: One Smoke Alarm on every level, in every sleeping area, and in every bedroom. In new construction, alarms must be AC powered and interconnected. Install alarms in all rooms, halls, storage areas, finished attics, and basements where temperatures are between 40˚ F (4.4˚ C) and 100˚ F (37.8˚ C).

More Specific Recommendations:

• Every level, including finished attics and basements.
• Inside every bedroom, especially if doors are closed.
• In halls near sleeping areas; at both ends of long halls (>40 ft).
• Top of first-to-second level stairs, bottom of basement stairs.

Note: Check local fire departments for specific requirements. Interconnecting AC or AC/DC units is recommended.

Diagrams: Visual representations of recommended placement in multi-story and single-story residences for Smoke Alarms, CO Alarms, and Combination Smoke/CO Alarms are provided.

California State Fire Marshal (CSFM)

Recommends installation in all rooms and areas, including sleeping areas, living rooms, dining rooms, kitchens, hallways, attics, furnace rooms, closets, utility rooms, basements, and attached garages.

10 Regulatory Information for CO Alarms

What Levels of CO Cause an Alarm?

Underwriters Laboratories Inc. Standard UL2034 specifies alarm points:

• 400 ppm CO: Alarm between 4 and 15 minutes.
• 150 ppm CO: Alarm between 10 and 50 minutes.
• 70 ppm CO: Alarm between 60 and 240 minutes.

The unit is designed not to alarm at 30 ppm for 30 days.

Important: CO Alarms alert before immediate life threat. Never assume CO is not present.

• 100 ppm CO for 20 minutes may not affect healthy adults but can cause headaches after 4 hours.
• 400 ppm CO can cause headaches in 35 minutes and death in 2 hours.

Standards: UL2034 for Single and Multiple Station Carbon Monoxide Alarms.

Gas Detection: Not formulated to detect CO levels below 30 ppm. Tested for false alarm resistance to Methane, Butane, Heptane, Ethyl Acetate, Isopropyl Alcohol, and Carbon Dioxide.

Audible Alarm: 85 dB minimum at 10 feet (3 meters).

11 Agency Placement Recommendations

Standards: UL217 for Single and Multiple Station Smoke Alarms.

NFPA 72 Chapter 29 Recommendations:

• In all sleeping rooms and guest rooms.
• Outside each separate dwelling unit sleeping area, within 21 ft (6.4 m) of any bedroom door.
• On every level of a dwelling unit, including basements.
• In the living area(s) of guest suites and residential board and care occupancies.

Note: These recommendations are from NFPA 72®.

12 Special Compliance Considerations

This Smoke Alarm is suitable for apartments, condominiums, townhouses, hospitals, day care facilities, etc., provided a primary fire detection system exists for common areas. It is not a substitute for complete fire detection systems in places housing many people or in industrial/commercial buildings.

In new construction, most codes require AC or AC/DC powered Smoke Alarms. In existing construction, AC, AC/DC, or DC powered alarms can be used per local codes.

HUD MAP Program: This Alarm does not meet the 10-year sealed tamper-resistant battery requirement for certain HUD applications. Substitute First Alert SA340B.

FCC Compliance: This equipment complies with Part 15 of FCC rules for Class B digital devices. It may cause interference if not installed correctly. Users are encouraged to correct interference by reorienting antennas, increasing separation, or consulting a dealer.

Warning: Unauthorized modifications can void the user's authority to operate the equipment.

13 General Limitations of Smoke/CO Alarms

• Intended Use: For residential use only, not industrial applications. Not intended for the hearing impaired (special alarms needed).
• Waking Ability: Alarms may not waken all individuals. Practice escape plans regularly. Ensure assistance for those who may need it (infants, mobility-impaired).
• Power Dependency: Alarms require working power (batteries or AC). Battery units fail if batteries are missing, dead, or incorrectly installed. AC units fail if power is cut off. Consider installing both types.
• Sensor Reach: Alarms only detect smoke/CO that reaches the sensors. Doors or obstructions can affect detection. Install alarms in sleeping areas and hallways if bedroom doors are usually closed.
• Multi-Level Detection: An alarm on one level may not detect smoke/CO on another. Minimum protection: one alarm per sleeping area, bedroom, and level. Consider battery-powered alarms with interconnected AC alarms.
• Audibility: Alarm horn loudness meets UL standards but may not wake sound sleepers, those under the influence of drugs/alcohol, or if sound is blocked by distance or closed doors. Noise from other appliances may also interfere. Not intended for the hearing impaired.
• Detection Time: Alarms may not detect smoke/CO quickly enough for all fires, especially those that grow rapidly or involve explosions.
• Not a Substitute for Insurance: While alarms warn of hazards, they do not guarantee protection of life. Homeowners/renters must still insure their lives.
• Not Foolproof: Like all electronics, alarms have limitations. They only detect what reaches the sensors.
• Limited Life: Alarms have a limited lifespan. Test weekly and replace immediately if not operating properly.

14 Limited Warranty

First Alert® warrants this product to be free from defects in material and workmanship for ten years from the date of purchase. First Alert will repair or replace defective products or components with new or remanufactured parts. This warranty is valid for the original retail purchaser and requires proof of purchase.

Warranty Exclusions: Normal wear, negligent use, misuse, improper voltage, use contrary to instructions, unauthorized disassembly or repair, Acts of God (fire, flood, hurricanes, tornadoes).

Liability Limitations: First Alert is not liable for incidental or consequential damages. Implied warranties are limited in duration to the warranty period. Some jurisdictions may not allow these limitations.

How to Obtain Warranty Service: Contact the Consumer Support Team at 1-800-323-9005 with the model number and date of purchase.

Disposal: Deactivate the Alarm before disposal. Follow local guidelines for battery and electronics disposal.

For Your Records: Record Date Purchased, Where Purchased, Date Installed. Replace Alarm 10 years after installation. The Alarm provides an audible End-of-Life Signal approximately 10 years after installation.