How to do battery replacement in First Alert BRK PRC710 smoke and carbon monoxide alarm? A built-in 10-year lithium-ion battery provides continuous power, with no need to ever worry about changing the battery during the lifetime of the alarm. One button silences any nuisance alarms, and also tests detector functions, while lights indicate if the alarm detects smoke or carbon monoxide. The alarm features a loud, 85-decibel alarm, designed to wake even the soundest of sleepers. Find details in First Alert BRK PRC710 smoke and carbon monoxide alarm review.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Also detects CO, interconnected
- Combination voice and beeping
- Excellent customer service
Cons
- Expensive, some complaints of false alarms
Specs – First Alert BRK PRC710 smoke and carbon monoxide alarm
- Product Dimensions (LxWxH): 5.67 x 1 x 5.67 in.
- Product Weight: .73 lbs.
- Easy installation, includes easy twist mount and hardware.
- Power LED and alarm indicator.
- The ten year sealed battery never needs to be changed for the life of the alarm.
- 2 in 1 protection against smoke/fire and carbon monoxide.
- Photoelectric sensor helps reduce nuisance alarms and detect slow smoldering fires.
- Patented smoke entry system allows for a direct path to smoke sensor.
- Slim design adds an element of style and is half the size of the standard alarm.
- Mute button silences unnecessary alarms immediately. Same button also tests alarm’s function.
- Tamperproof, sealed alarm design, constant protection since battery cannot be removed.
- Meets code for sealed/tamperproof alarms – ideal for rental properties.
- Loud 85db alarm.
- End of life warning notifies you when the alarm needs to be replaced.
- Meets UL217 standard.
- Emits T3 Pattern.
- 10 Year Limited Warranty.
Price
First Alert BRK PRC710 smoke and carbon monoxide alarm per unit price varies from $30 – $40 in major ecommerce store like Best Buy, Walmart or Lowes.
First Alert BRK PRC710 smoke and carbon monoxide alarm review
Design
It packs premium detection features into a sleek, compact unit. The ultra-thin design features a white finish that blends seamlessly with most home decor. With a weight of 7 ounces, it measures 4.92 x 4.92 x 0.96 inches.
Sensor
The smoke sensor is photoelectric, which is better for detecting slow, smoldering fires. You can program up to 11 locations into the connected alarms, and the voice will tell you where hazards exist. It also distinguishes between real threats and smoke/vapor produced during showering, cooking, and other everyday activities, helping minimize the number of false alarms. Its electrochemical sensor that detects carbon monoxide leaks from a variety of sources, such as faulty fuel-burning appliances, blocked chimneys, and cars left running in the garage.
Loud alarm
The First Alert plays two different alarms depending on whether smoke or carbon monoxide is detected. Each alarm plays at 85 decibels, which is about five decibels louder than your average garbage disposal. It’s certainly loud enough to wake you up, but it won’t leave you in pain.
Installation
The installation process of the BRK PRC710 is simple and can be done by anyone, no contractors required, and the device is tamper-resistant. There are different sound-codes for the different kinds of alarms, so if you pay attention you’ll know whether you’re dealing with a smoke or CO alarm.
Performance
If you install multiple units, they are able to be interconnected so that when one goes off they all go off, alerting you to an issue no matter where in the house you are. The combination of both photoelectric and ionization detection ensures that these alarms will be quick to pick up smoke no matter what type of fire in present.
Lifespan
The First Alert PRC710 10-Year Photoelectric Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm features a built-in 10-year lithium battery that provides continuous power for the life of the detector. An end-of-life timer lets you know when the device should be replaced.
First Alert BRK PRC710 smoke and carbon monoxide alarm customer review
Does its job!
I was looking for a smoke and carbon monoxide detector combination so I wouldn’t have to have a bunch of different detectors hanging around my house. In the winter, we heat our entire house with a wood stove so we have a fire burning for months. It is VERY important that we have properly working detectors in case there is a problem. We also have a bedroom closely located to the wood burning fireplace so knowing if there is a fire or an issue with rising carbon monoxide can be lifesaving. Haven’t had to use/test the photelectic sensor but I’m glad it has that feature because that could be lifesaving as well. I will be hanging these on every floor of my house.
By dlloughlin at onelink.firstalert.com
Alternate of First Alert BRK PRC710 smoke and carbon monoxide alarm
Nest Protect 2nd Gen Smoke + Carbon Monoxide Alarm
Nest is a well known manufacturer of various smart devices that don’t exactly fall on the lower end of the price spectrum, and their combined smoke and CO detector continues this trend. This high-end smart device gives all other detectors a run for their money.
You can test and silence the alarm from your phone, get notifications when you’re not home, and control all of the settings from the app. When the alarm does go off, it will even indicate where the source of the CO or smoke is located. You can also view the parts-per-million saturation of CO via the app.
The Nest Protect (2nd Gen) battery-operated alarm connects with your phone and can interact with other Nest products as well. It takes the functionality of smoke detectors to the next level, however at a considerable price hike – which has you paying for the brand more than the features.
The Nest Protect uses a split-spectrum sensor that allegedly allows it to detect dangerous levels of smoke or CO much faster than regular alarms do, giving you a larger window of time to act thus minimizing damage and danger. Both the smoke and carbon monoxide detector has a 10-year lifespan.
The Nest Protect sets itself apart from other alarms by connecting to your smartphone with a companion app. You’ll get notifications in case the detectors sense any carbon monoxide or smoke. In the case of smoke, the Nest Protect sends heads-up notifications when it detects smoke that isn’t enough to trigger the alarm, but may develop into a fire – like a toaster running too long.
An additional feature of the Nest Protect is that it doubles as a light source. The status indicator light is usually turned off, but when you walk past or under the unit it will detect your and activate, providing additional light. This can be useful if you need to investigate an alarm at night.
While the lifespan of the device itself is 10 years, the batteries – which are included – will need to be replaced every 4-5 years.
The Nest Protect 2nd Gen Smoke + Carbon Monoxide Alarm is a very impressive and advanced device – so why isn’t it our number one pick? Simply put, while it does have a leg up over other models, the colossal pricetag simply isn’t justified by the features. Essentially, it’s a regular smoke detector with a phone app. It also doesn’t have a particularly peachy track record in terms of quality assurance.
Pros
- App connectivity
- Lifespan
- Better sensor
Cons
- Very expensive
- Prone to malfunction
Editor’s recommendations
- How to install a First Alert smoke and carbon monoxide alarm – mounting bracket & battery?
- First Alert Z-Wave smoke and carbon monoxide alarm 3-pack review
- Kidde Nighthawk Carbon Monoxide detector reviews – how to install?
- Nest Protect – Smoke Alarm – Smoke Detector and Carbon Monoxide Detector review
- First Alert BRK SC9120B hardwired smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) detector review
