How long does First Alert BRK SC9120B hardwired smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) detector last for? It uses an electro-chemical sensor for carbon monoxide detection and an ionization sensor for the smoke detection. This means it detects flaming fires more quickly than other smoke detectors. This is in contrast to photoelectric detectors, which are quicker in detecting smoldering fires. One button silences any nuisance alarms, and also tests detector functions, while lights indicate if the alarm detects smoke or carbon monoxide. Find details in First Alert BRK SC9120B hardwired smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) detector review.
In the box
- One combination smoke and CO alarm,
- One 9-volt battery, and
- User’s manual
Pros & Cons – First Alert BRK SC9120B hardwired smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) detector
Pros
- Built in smoke detector:
- Extremely easy to install:
- Long lasting 10-year lithium-ion battery:
- Low battery warning feature:
- Reliable electrochemical sensor:
Cons
- CO detector can be overly sensitive:
Specs – First Alert BRK SC9120B hardwired smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) detector
- Product Dimensions (LxWxH): 5.6 x 1.9 x 5.6 in.
- Product Weight: .7 lbs.
- 120V AC with 9V battery backup.
- Latching alarm indication.
- Emits T3 Pattern
- Simple to use silence/test button with low battery chirp warning.
- Tamper resistant locking pins.
- Uses ionization technology and an electrochemical sensor.
- Universal mounting bracket.
- Connects with other compatible BRK and First Alert hardwired smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
- 10 Year Limited Warranty.
Price
Each unit costs $34.98. The price was better than I could find them for when I was in a large home supply store, and with Amazon, enough were in stock to just go ahead and change them all out.
First Alert BRK SC9120B hardwired smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) detector review
Design
These are a tiny bit smaller than the old ones, making them no fit the old mounting bracket. Measuring at 5.59 x 2.25 x 5.69 inches, it weighs around at 10.4 ounces. They however cover most of the same circle and not requiring touch up. There is an internal green LED, giving it a slight Borg like hint of internal green that never turns off and makes them visible once the lights are off at night.
Sensor
It uses an electro-chemical sensor for carbon monoxide detection and an ionization sensor for the smoke detection. This means it detects flaming fires more quickly than other smoke detectors. This is in contrast to photoelectric detectors, which are quicker in detecting smoldering fires.
Loud alarm
Different horn sounds occur if either smoke or CO are detected. Alarm is loud enough to wake you up even if you are at sleep.
Lifespan
The First Alert SC9120B has a 10 year lifespan and a 10 year battery. This means that, once you purchase it, you will never have to replace the battery. Rather, you will simply have to install a new smoke detector every 10 years. It is a very popular smoke and carbon monoxide detector that people have been very happy to use. If ever it does not last 10 years, it is covered by a 10 year warranty
How to Install First Alert BRK SC9120B hardwired smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) detector?
In this guide, we’ll be showing you how to install First Alert Hardwired Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms. Here are a few items you’ll need before starting the installation process: Needle-nose pliers or utility knife, screwdriver, wire stripper, wire nuts and a ladder.
Hardwired Smoke or Carbon Monoxide Alarm Requirements:
- 120V household electrical circuit (unswitched 120VAC)
- Standard wiring junction box to a 4 in. (10 cm) size, on either the ceiling or wall
- Selecting an appropriate location to install your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms (see below guidelines for additional information):
- When installing an alarm on the wall, the top edge of an alarm should be placed between 4 in. (100 mm) and 12 in. (300 mm) from the wall/ceiling line.
- When installing an alarm on the ceiling, place the alarm as close to the center as possible.
- In either case, install the alarm at least 4 in. (100 mm) from where the wall and ceiling meet.
Connecting First Alert Hardwired Alarms to 120V Wiring
To begin, turn off power at the junction box and connect your alarm to the building’s electrical wiring.
- Locate the junction box and turn off power
- Remove the power connector from the new alarm’s packaging
- Using wire nuts, attach the hot (black), neutral (white), and interconnect (orange) wires
You can get More in First Alert
First Alert BRK SC9120B hardwired smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) detector performance review
With wire strippers to strip the plug adapter wires, installing the plug adapter was a breeze. It was a simple process of simply powering down the circuit, removing the old smoke detector, stripping and installing the wires to the adapter, activating the installed battery, installing the ceiling mount adapter, installing the new detector, powering up and testing the unit. Overall, quite simple.
Alternate of First Alert BRK SC9120B hardwired smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) detector
First Alert SCO500B
This talking alarm will help protect you from smoldering fires and invisible gases.First Alert SCO500B features
| Device | Price | Type | Battery-powered/wired |
| First Alert SCO500B | $40.89 | Photoelectric + carbon monoxide | Hardwired and battery powered models available |
House fires—with their heat, flames, and smoke—are obviously scary. But you should be just as scared of another, less obvious danger: carbon monoxide (CO).
CO is produced anytime fuel is burned and it can be poisonous if it builds up in your home. If your home uses any fuel-burning appliances such as a furnace, water heater, range, cooktop, or grill, you should have a CO detector.
Luckily there are plenty of smoke alarms out there that come with built-in CO detectors. The Google Nest Protect (listed above) is a great option. But if you want a cheaper, simpler device, we suggest the First Alert SCO500B.
This photoelectric detector has voice alerts that will tell you whether it is sensing smoke or carbon monoxide. You can wirelessly connect up to 16 of these devices, and the voice alerts will tell you which one is being triggered when the alarm sounds.
The First Alert SCO500B is a battery-powered combination smoke alarm and CO detector, but if you’d like a wired version, you can check out the BRK SC7010BV.
Pros
- Built-in carbon monoxide detector
- Voice alerts
- Interconnectable with up to 16 other devices
- Low battery alert
- 7-year warranty
- Battery powered
- Silence button
- Advanced photoelectric sensor
Cons
- Photoelectric fire alarms are not as effective as dual sensor alarm
