How to Guide

ManualsBrandsFirst Alert ManualsElectrical10-Year Battery-Operated 3-Volt Photoelectric Sensor Smoke Detector

KEY FEATURES OF THE P1210E SMOKE ALARM:

Photoelectric Sensing Technology: Photoelectric Sensors are generally more sensitive than ionization

sensors in detecting smoldering fires which commonly occur in couches or bedding.

OptiPath 360 Technology™: Patented technology provides 360° of direct access to the smoke sensor.

Single Test/Silence Button: Allows you to test the alarm or silence nuisance alarms. Testing the

alarm assures you that the unit is functioning correctly and ready to protect you and your family.

The alarm can be silenced for up to 9 minutes in the event of a nuisance alarm.

Escape Light: Bright LED Escape Light activates when this unit goes into alarm to illuminate your path to safety.

10 Year End of Life Indicator: 3 horn pulses every 43 seconds alerts you that the unit must be replaced.

Local Alarm Memory: Green LED flashes 3 times every 43 seconds for 24 hours. After 24 hours the unit

will chirp rapidly while the Test button is pressed. Memory is cleared when the button is released.

Low Battery Warning: The alarm will sound a “chirp” once per minute when the smoke alarm needs to be replaced.

Low Battery Silence: The alarm can be silenced for 8 hours.

Red Blinking Power Indicator every 6 minutes: Confirms that the smoke alarm is receiving power.

All First Alert

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.

BASIC SAFETY INFORMATION

•

This unit will not alert hearing impaired residents. It is recommended that you install special

units which use devices like flashing strobe lights to alert hearing impaired residents.

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Do not connect this unit to any other alarm or auxiliary device. It is a single-station unit that cannot be

linked to other devices. Connecting anything else to this unit may prevent it from working properly.

•

Unit will not operate without battery power. The smoke alarm cannot

work until you activate the battery power pack.

•

Do not install this unit over an electrical junction box. Air currents around junction

boxes can prevent smoke from reaching the sensing chamber and prevent the unit from

alarming. Only AC powered units are intended for installation over junction boxes.

•

Do not stand too close to the unit when the alarm is sounding. It is loud to wake you in

an emergency. Exposure to the horn at close range may harm your hearing.

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Do not paint over the unit. Paint may clog the openings to the sensing

chamber and prevent the unit from operating properly.

BEFORE YOU INSTALL THIS SMOKE ALARM

Important! 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.

RECOMMENDED LOCATIONS FOR SMOKE ALARMS

INSTALLING SMOKE ALARMS IN SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENCES

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), recommends one smoke alarm on every level, 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:

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On every level of your home, including finished attics and basements.

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Inside every bedroom, especially if people sleep with doors closed.

•

In the hall near every sleeping area. If your home has multiple sleeping areas, install a unit

in each. If a hall is over 40 feet (12 meters) long, install an alarm at each end.

•

At the top of the first-to-second level stairway, and at bottom of basement stairway.

RECOMMENDED PLACEMENT:

Smoke Alarm

One on every level and

in every bedroom

Carbon Monoxide Alarm

One on every level and

in every bedroom

Fire Extinguisher

One on every level, plus

kitchen and garage

HALLWAY BEDROOMBEDROOM

GARAGE

LIVING ROOM KITCHEN

BASEMENT

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.

FOLLOW THESE SIMPLE STEPS

1. Hold the mounting bracket against the ceiling (or wall) so

the two clusters of universal mounting holes are aligned

approximately at the 9:00 and 3:00 o’clock positions. See

image. Choose one of the three sets of holes shown, A, B

or C (see image) and trace around one of the sets. Be sure

to choose a top and bottom slot on opposite sides so you

can rotate the universal mounting bracket into position

later. This will make it easier in the future to remove the

mounting bracket without completely removing the screws.

WARNING! Do not install this alarm over an

existing electrical box. Only AC powered units are

intended for installation over electrical boxes.

2. Put the unit where it won’t get covered with

dust when you drill the mounting holes.

3. Using a 3/16" (5 mm) drill bit, drill a hole through

the center of the oval outlines you traced.

4. Insert the plastic screw anchors (in the plastic bag with screws)

into the holes. Tap the screw anchors gently with a hammer,

if necessary, until they are flush with the ceiling or wall.

5. Install the screws but do not tighten completely. Attach

the mounting bracket by aligning the screws in the open

portion of the universal mounting slots and rotating the

bracket into place. Tighten the screws until they are

snug to secure the bracket. Do not over tighten.

Mounting Hole Sets

6. Activating the battery. Mount alarm to mounting bracket to activate. Once unit is activated, it cannot be turned off.

NOTE: After you activate the battery, the power indicator light may flash. (If the unit alarms, the

light will blink rapidly, and the horn will repeatedly sound 3 beeps, pause, 3 beeps.) Once the

smoke alarm is on the bracket, you can rotate the alarm to adjust the alignment.

7. Test the alarm. See “Weekly Testing.”

TO PERMANENTLY DEACTIVATE THE SMOKE ALARM

8. After 10 years of operation or Low Battery Warning, deactivate

the alarm: Insert a tool below edge where shown and break

tab. Then slide activation switch to deactivate mode.

NOTE: At end of life or low battery indication (chirp): unit

must be put into deactivation mode to deactivate remaining

stored energy in battery. Unit will no longer function

once put into this mode. Unit will resist re-mounting.

ON - DEACTIVATE

OPTIONAL LOCKING FEATURE

The optional locking feature is designed to prevent

unauthorized removal of the alarm. It is not necessary

to activate the lock in single-family households where

unauthorized alarm removal is not a concern.

Tools you will need: Needle-nose pliers or

utility knife, standard flathead screwdriver

The feature uses a locking pin which is molded

into the mounting bracket. Remove locking pin

by using needle-nose pliers or a utility knife.

To permanently remove the locking pin, insert

a flathead screwdriver between the locking pin

and the lock and pry the pin out of the lock.

Locking Pin

TO LOCK THE

MOUNTING BRACKET

1. Using needle-nose pliers,

detach the pin from the

mounting bracket.

2. Insert the locking pin

through the hole on the

back of the smoke alarm

as shown in the diagram.

3. When you attach the alarm

to the mounting bracket the

locking pin’s head will fit

into a notch on the bracket.

TO UNLOCK THE

MOUNTING BRACKET

1. Insert a flathead

screwdriver in between

the mounting bracket

and the locking pin.

2. Pry the alarm away from

the bracket by pushing

up the screwdriver

and turning the alarm

counterclockwise (left)

at the same time.

HOW TO INSTALL THIS SMOKE ALARM

This unit is designed to be mounted on the ceiling, or on the wall if necessary.

Tools you will need: pencil, drill with 3/16” (5 mm) drill bit, standard flathead screwdriver, hammer

THE PARTS OF THIS

SMOKE ALARM

1. Test/Silence button

2. Dual power indicator

light and alarm indicator:

Green LED provides visual

indication of an alarm

memory condition; Red LED

provides visual indication of

an alarm and hush modes

3. LED Escape Light

1. Mounting bracket

2. Mounting slots

3. Turn this way to attach

4. Turn this way to remove

LOCATIONS TO AVOID FOR SMOKE ALARMS

FOR BEST PERFORMANCE, IT IS RECOMMENDED YOU AVOID INSTALLING SMOKE ALARMS IN THESE AREAS:

•

Where combustion particles are produced. Combustion particles form when something burns. Areas to avoid include

poorly ventilated kitchens, garages, and furnace rooms. Keep units at least 20 feet (6 meters) from the sources of

combustion particles (stove, furnace, water heater, space heater) if possible. In areas where a 20-foot (6-meter)

distance is not possible – in modular, mobile, or smaller homes, for example – it is recommended the smoke alarm be

placed as far from these fuel-burning sources as possible. The placement recommendations are intended to keep these

alarms at a reasonable distance from a fuel-burning source, and thus reduce “unwanted” alarms. Unwanted alarms can

occur if a smoke alarm is placed directly next to a fuel-burning source. Ventilate these areas as much as possible.

•

In air streams near kitchens. Air currents can draw cooking smoke into the

sensing chamber of a smoke alarm near the kitchen.

•

In very damp, humid or steamy areas, or directly near bathrooms with showers. Keep units

at least 10 feet (3 meters) away from showers, saunas, dishwashers, etc.

•

Where the temperatures are regularly below 40˚ F (4.4˚ C) or above 100˚ F (37.8˚ C), including

unheated buildings, outdoor rooms, porches, or unfinished attics or basements.

•

In very dusty, dirty, or greasy areas. Do not install a smoke alarm directly over the

stove or range. Keep laundry room smoke alarms free of dust or lint.

•

Near fresh air vents, ceiling fans, or in very drafty areas. Drafts can blow smoke

away from the unit, preventing it from reaching the sensing chamber.

•

In insect infested areas. Insects can clog openings to the sensing chamber and cause unwanted alarms.

•

Less than 12 inches (305mm) away from fluorescent lights. Electrical “noise” can interfere with the sensor.

•

In “dead air” spaces. “Dead air” spaces may prevent smoke from reaching the smoke alarm.

AVOIDING DEAD AIR SPACES

“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 and 12 inches (102 and 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.

IMPORTANT! PLEASE READ

CAREFULLY AND SAVE.

The warnings/limitations card and

manual contains important information

about your smoke alarm’s operation. If

you are installing this alarm for use by

others, you must leave this manual—or a

copy of it—with the end user. Reference

product card for additional information.

USER’S MANUAL

SMOKE AND FIRE* ALARM

10-YEAR SEALED

LITHIUM BATTERY

PHOTOELECTRIC SMOKE

ALARM WITH ESCAPE LIGHT

AND SILENCE FEATURES

Printed in Mexico

M08-0467-160283-L-US L 01/18

Model P1210E

CONFORMS TO UL STD 217

INTRODUCTION

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 early warning of a fire. Please take the time to read

this manual and make the smoke alarm an integral part of your family’s safety plan.

•

BRK Brands, Inc.

is a subsidiary of Newell Brands Inc. (NYSE:NWL)

•

3901 Liberty Street, Aurora, IL 60504-8122

•

Customer Service Team: (800) 323-9005

•

www.firstalert.com

•

www.brkelectronics.com

Installed on Replace by