Customer Reviews For The USI Electric Hardwired 3-in-1 Smoke, CO and Natural Gas Alarm (MICN109)

The smoke alarm chirps to indicate a "low battery" condition, meaning the battery needs to be replaced. Battery powered smoke alarms will chirp a minimum of 30 days before the battery completely loses power.

AC powered smoke alarms with battery backup will chirp indefinitely assuming AC power is present; if battery power is low, or battery is removed; until a fresh battery is installed. Approved replacement batteries are listed on the back of each smoke alarm and in the user's manual.

Certain model smoke alarms with a silence button (designed to silence the alarm during a nuisance alarm) may chirp to indicate the smoke alarm is in the silence mode. The chirp will stop after approximately 8 minutes and the smoke alarm will return to its normal operation.

Carbon monoxide alarms are designed to alarm before the average healthy adult feels symptoms. Since you cannot see or smell CO, never assume it's not present. Underwriters Laboratories Inc. Standard UL2034 requires residential CO alarms to sound when exposure times and exposure levels of CO in the chart below. CO alarm levels are measured in parts per million (ppm) of CO over time (in minutes). The UL2034 Required Alarm Points are:

• If the Alarm is exposed to 400 ppm of CO, it must alarm between 4 and 15 minutes.
• If the Alarm is exposed to 150 ppm of CO, it must alarm between 10 and 50 minutes.
• If the Alarm is exposed to 70 ppm of CO, it must alarm between 60 and 240 minutes.

Carbon monoxide is not heavier than air. A carbon monoxide alarm should be installed in a location where the alarm will stay clean, and out of the way of children or pets. Refer to the user's manual for specific installation requirements.

The flashing red light gives a visual indication that the smoke detector is functioning properly. It also indicates a working battery is connected to the smoke alarm.

It is very important to install a carbon monoxide alarm outside each separate sleeping area, and for maximum protection, install one in every bedroom. Many states now require installation of a carbon monoxide alarm inside each bedroom. For added protection, placement of an additional carbon monoxide alarm at least 15-20 feet away from the furnace or fuel burning heat sources is recommended. Install carbon monoxide alarms a minimum of 10 feet from sources of humidity like bathrooms and showers. In multiple-story dwellings, install one carbon monoxide alarm on every level. If you have a basement, install a carbon monoxide alarm at the top of the basement stairs, and in each separate sleeping area.

Do not install carbon monoxide alarms in garages, kitchens, furnace rooms, or in any extremely dusty, dirty, humid, or greasy areas. Do not install alarms in direct sunlight, or areas subjected to temperature extremes. These areas include unconditioned crawl spaces, unfinished attics, un-insulated or poorly insulated ceilings, and porches. Carbon monoxide alarms should not be installed in outlets covered by curtains, heavy furniture or other obstructions. Do not install in turbulent air-near ceiling fans, heat vents, air conditioners, fresh air returns, or open windows. Blowing air may prevent carbon monoxide from reaching the CO sensors.

When a green light is present on your smoke detector, it means that AC power is currently operating the alarm.

If the green light on your smoke detector is not on, it means the AC power has been interrupted to the alarm. Check the circuit breaker and AC wiring to make sure power is still reaching the smoke alarm.

When interconnected alarms are alarming, the smoke alarm which initiated the alarm, either by test button or sensing smoke, will flash the red LED light approximately once per second. The red LED light on the other non-initiated interconnected smoke detectors will not be lit but will sound the alarm.

The NFPA 72 standard states the interconnect limit is 12 smoke alarms and up to 6 other alarms (heat alarms or carbon monoxide detectors) for a total of 18 total alarms. With 18 alarms interconnected, up to an additional 6 relay modules may be interconnected (for a maximum of 24 devices).

If battery backup alarms and non-battery backup alarms and accessories are mixed in an interconnect system, all devices without battery backup WILL NOT operate during an AC power failure.

CAUTION: USI alarms and accessories should only be interconnected with other USI alarms and accessories. Connecting devices from another manufacturer to USI devices may result in nuisance alarms, failure to alarm, or damage to one or all of the devices in the interconnect system. All interconnected USI alarms should be powered by the same fuse or circuit breaker. Smoke alarms shall not receive their power from a circuit that is protected by a ground fault circuit interrupter. Improper connection will result in damage to the alarm, failure to operate, or a shock hazard.