First Alert SA320CN Dual Sensor Battery-Powered Smoke and Fire Alarm

Packaging: The three alarms arrived in individual bulk brown box packaging; nothing wrong with that. In the box was the alarm, 2 AA alkaline batteries, mounting screws, and instructions. I am a guy so who needs instructions. The alarm itself was wrapped very well in bubble-wrap. I am very satisfied with the packaging. Installation: Installation was a breeze. You first install the two batteries according to the diagram on the alarm. The new alarms were replacing old First Alert fire alarms that we have had for over 20 years. I now know you should replace alarms every 10 years. I removed the old alarms by loosening the mounting screws a couple turns, turning the old alarm to align the mounting holes and that was that. The new alarm has a base and alarm. The new base fit perfectly over the existing screws from the old alarm. Tighten the screws and the hard part is done. Then place the alarm over the mounting plate and give a 1/3 turn and you are done. Operation: After they were mounted I pushed the test button and each unit gave two sets of 3 beeps. Happy alarms. Observations: I have heard that the alkaline batteries provided last between one and two years. When they do wear out I will be trying Lithium batteries to see if they last longer. I tried Lithium 9V batteries in the old alarms and two out of four had corrosion on the positive terminal after one year. (P.S. the fourth new alarm was a CO2 + Fire alarm). The only time our fire alarms have ever gone off is when my bride has used them as a dinner bell. Alarm goes off = Dinner is done. PBJ for dinner tonight.

We have several of these around the house as well as CO monitors. This was one of the Consumer Reports recommended dual sensor smoke and fire alarm and we are very satisfied with it so far. I used to get the combo smoke/fire/CO a;arm but they require the units to be replaced on different schedules, 10 years for the smoke/fire and 5 years for the CO alarms. I also prefer to change the batteries every year rather than relay on an alarm that has a 10 year battery. That is fine for the CO if replacing it every 5 years but not so for the smoke/fire alarm. I have read reports that the 10 year battery may not last the entire 10 years from the date you install it in your house. I use the Christmas time frame to replace batteries because it seems you are always getting gifts for kids or grand kids that require batteries so why not replace at that time. Also I use the calendar app to remind me each year and don't dismiss it until I have replaced batteries. The dual sensor smoke/fire alarm is very sensitive to smoke and heat so where you place it is key if you don't want to have it going off all the time. I had placed one of these in the hallway outside the second bathroom and found out it would go off if one of the kids was taking a hot shower when the steam coming out of the bathroom would set of the alarm. Moving it away from the entrance solved the problem. As I mentioned above we have had several of the First Alert alarms in the house over the years and I have been satisfied completely with the performance and would recommend them to anyone, whether it be a smoke/fire/CO combination alarm or the dual sensor smoke/fire alarm. Both are very sensitive to what they are built to detect (important as some CO sensors are not as sensitive as others which means they alarm at a much higher CO level).

Contrary to what some reviewers have said, these new detector do NOT fit in a he same mounting ring used for PI2050 and PI9000 and PI9010. The new ring is about 1/4 inch smaller in diameter. Why, oh why, could they have not kept the same mount??? Now, instead of just a quarter turn to remove the old detector and a quarter turn to install the new one, you have to remove the old ring and install a new one. Fortunately, the screw pattern does match. But why change this for a quarter inch???? The new detectors are upwards of an inch thicker than most. These detectors use BOTH ionized and photo electric detection methods. This is good. Keep in mind that any detector must be reflected in the new design which it. Anyway, I do reflect well on these. If you can get past the dated stuff. Heâ

So far, a fine product. It does use two AA cell batteries. I am not sure how that will mean for performance or longevity versus a 9 volt battery pack. Time will tell. Be sure to use good quality AA brand batteries when replacing the batteries in it. Consumer Reports rates CVS Max AA as a good buy that are high quality. (A rare time a store brand beat out name brands.) For reviewers here, some say it has false alarms. First be sure it is not your TV or stereo remote control that is not triggering it! First Alerts are known to have this issue. There is a way to turn that feature off. See the instruction manual. Once that stupid remote test feature is off, First Alerts are fine. (Update: I don't think these units have it. But, now you know if it happens again. With a unit or brand that does.) Also, humidity and dust can trigger false alarms in any brand. Vacuum the alarm regularly with the hose and upholstery attachment brush. I will also blast mine once a year with canned air when I change the battery. Keep smoke detectors away from bathrooms and kitchens. Replace batteries (unless a 10 year type detector) at least once a year. Have at least one detector in each bedroom and one on each floor. Replace detector after 10 years. Amaxon sold them for around $17 then the price went up. I tried to buy them from here but, was too much. So I bought two more at Walfart.com and picked them up at my local store for just under $18 each (free ship to the store). But I see Seafs has them for $15 (not sure about shipping though). It pays to shop around on this battery style unit. Try to get it close to $17 if you can. That seems the legit number for sure.

Wasn't even aware I needed "dual sensors" until my smoke alarm required battery replacement recently. Since my old alarms were over 10 years old I decided to get new ones and found these. They fit the brackets from my old First Alert alarms so no "install" was required. Just unscrewed the old ones and screwed on the new. So far very pleased. Had one 'toast making' incident that caused an alarm and it definitely sounded much sooner than a regular smoke alarm. Pleased to know they are sensitive enough to pick up on the faintest of fire triggers.