TABLE OF CONTENTS
Fire Safety Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
Before You Install This Smoke Alarm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
How To Install This Smoke Alarm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-3
Locking Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-4/
3-4
Understanding the Indicator Lights and Alarm Horn Patterns . . . . . . . . .4
Weekly Testing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Regular Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
If This Smoke Alarm Sounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
What To Do In Case Of Fire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Using the Silence Feature (Models SA4121B, 4120SB) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
If You Suspect a Problem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Recommended Locations For Smoke Alarms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6/
5-6
Locations To Avoid For Smoke Alarms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
About Smoke Alarms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7/
6
Special Compliance Considerations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7/
6
Limitations of Smoke Alarms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Limited Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-7/
7
All Rights Reserved. © 2002 BRK Brands, Inc.
BRK Brands, Inc., 3901 Liberty Street Road, Aurora, IL 60504-8122
Consumer Affairs: (800)323-9005 • www.firstalert.com
• www.brkelectronics.com
Models SA4121B,
SA4120, 4120B,
4120, 4120SB
M08-0030-000
Q
11/02
IMPORTANT!
PLEASE READ CAREFULLY AND SAVE.
This user’s manual contains important information about your Smoke
Alarm’s operation. If you are installing this Smoke Alarm for use by others,
you must leave this manual—or a copy of it—with the end user.
USER’S MANUAL
SMOKE AND FIRE* ALARMS
AC Powered Ionization Smoke Alarm
Models 4120, SA4120
Input: 120V AC
~
, 60Hz, 0.05A
AC Powered Ionization Smoke Alarm with
Battery Back-Up and Silence Feature
Models 4120SB, SA4121B
Input: 120V AC
~
, 60Hz, 0.05A
AC Powered Ionization Smoke Alarm
with Battery Back-Up
Model 4120B
Input: 120V AC
~
, 60Hz, 0.05A
*All First Alert
®
and BRK
®
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 parti-
cles, 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 of your home.
FIRE SAFETY TIPS
Follow safety rules and prevent hazardous situations: 1) Use smoking materials properly. Never smoke in bed.
2) Keep matches or lighters away from children; 3) Store flammable materials in proper containers; 4) Keep elec-
trical appliances in good condition and don’t overload electrical circuits; 5) Keep stoves, barbecue grills, fire-
places and chimneys grease- and debris-free; 6) Never leave anything cooking on the stove unattended; 7) Keep
portable heaters and open flames, like candles, away from flammable materials; 8) Don’t let rubbish accumulate.
Keep alarms clean, and test them weekly. Replace alarms immediately if they are not working properly. Smoke
Alarms that do not work cannot alert you to a fire. Keep at least one working fire extinguisher on every floor, and
an additional one in the kitchen. Have fire escape ladders or other reliable means of escape from an upper floor
in case stairs are blocked.
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 devel-
oping 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 extin-
guish 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 bed-
room, 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.
ELECTRICAL SHOCK HAZARD. Turn off the power to the area where the Smoke Alarm is installed
before removing it from the mounting bracket. Failure to turn off the power first may result in serious
electrical shock, injury or death.
• 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.
• Installation of this unit must conform to the electrical codes in your area; Article 760 of NFPA 70
(NEC), NFPA 72, NFPA 101; SBC (SBCCI); UBC (ICBO); NBC (BOCA); OTFDC (CABO), and any other
local or building codes that may apply. Wiring and installation must be performed by a licensed elec-
trician. Failure to follow these guidelines may result in injury or property damage.
• This unit must be powered by a 24-hour, 120VAC pure sine wave 60Hz circuit. Be sure the circuit can-
not be turned off by a switch, dimmer, or ground fault circuit interrupter. Failure to connect this unit to
a 24-hour circuit may prevent it from providing constant protection.
• This Smoke Alarm must have AC or battery power to operate.
On Models SA4121B and 4120B/SB Only:
If the AC power fails, battery back-up will allow the alarm to sound for at least 4 minutes. If AC power
fails and the battery is weak, protection should last for up to 7 days. If AC power fails and the battery is
dead or missing, the alarm cannot operate.
• Never disconnect the power from an AC powered unit to stop an unwanted alarm. Doing so will dis-
able the unit and remove your protection. In the case of a true unwanted alarm open a window or fan
the smoke away from the unit. The alarm will reset automatically when it returns to normal operation.
Never remove the batteries from a battery operated unit to stop an unwanted alarm (caused by cook-
ing smoke, etc.). Instead open a window or fan the smoke away from the unit. The alarm will reset
automatically.
• Connect this unit ONLY to other compatible units. See “How To Install This Smoke Alarm” for
details. Do not connect it to any other type of alarm or auxiliary device. Connecting anything else to
this unit may damage it or prevent it from operating properly.
• On Models SA4121B, 4120B/SB Only: The battery compartment will not close unless a battery is
installed. This warns you the unit will not operate under DC power without a battery.
• Do not stand too close to the unit when the alarm is sounding. It is loud to wake you in an emer-
gency. Exposure to the horn at close range may harm your hearing.
• Do not paint over the unit. Paint may clog the openings to the sensing chambers and prevent the
unit from operating properly.
1
THIS USER’S MANUAL HAS BEEN RESIZED TO PRINT OUT ON 8-1/2 x 11” PAGES.
BLACK page numbers reference the original printed document.
RED page numbers reference this web version.
