Re: BRK smoke alarm

[Frank Olson <use_the_email_links@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

schmekelfutz@xxxxxxxxx wrote:
> On Jan 8, 12:28 am, Frank Olson
> <use_the_email_li...@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>> Robert L Bass wrote:
>>> <schmekelf...@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>>>> My house has 9 yr. old BRK wired-in smoke detectors. They are of the
>>>> ionization kind.  They have given false alarm problems.   I'd like to
>>>> replace them with newer BRK models but have been reading that this
>>>> brand is very poor when it comes to false alarms and random chirps.  I
>>>> called them and they said that they recommend the photoelectric type
>>>> as less prone to false alarms and random chirps.
>>>> Is there more reliable brands out there?  Even if I have to spend
>>>> more, it's preferable to chasing chirps in the middle of the night!
>>>> All recommendations appreciated.
>>> I assume that by "wired-in" you're referring to 110 Volt smokes with a
>>> 9-Volt battery backup.  If so, the chirps you're getting are probably
>>> low battery warnings.  The detector will issue a brief (maybe
>>> 1/4-second) beep roughly every 40 to 60 seconds when the battery has
>>> about 90 days' life left in it.  The time varies but that's about
>>> median.  Find which ones are chirping and swap the batteries.  The
>>> chirps should stop.
>> If the smokes the OP is using have a small radio-active symbol on the
>> back he *must* replace them with photo-electrics.  Ionization detectors
>> in a residential setting are false alarm "magnets" and will not function
>> properly in the kind of fire he's liable to "encounter".
>>
>>
>>
>>> BRK are about the same quality as most of the other off-the-shelf units
>>> out there.
>> You're kidding right??  Kidde and BRK are probably the worst detectors
>> out there.
>>
>>> I sell some 110-Volt smokes online but you can probably get
>>> them locally for about the same price and save the shipping.
>> Which begs the question...  Why shop some no-name online store with the
>> worst BBB record of any when you can call a friendly "local" Dealer??
>> Not only would you get the part, you wouldn't have to pay for shipping
>> or risk it being considered "non-returnable".
>>
>>> System
>>> Sensor makes pretty much the best smoke detectors IMO but I've only used
>>> their low voltage, system type detectors.
>> Then you obviously haven't used any of the GE smokes (which are hands
>> down better quality than System Sensor.- Hide quoted text -
>>
>> - Show quoted text -
>
>
> Thanks to you and everyone else who replied for very helpful
> comments.


No problem.  Your life (and the ones you love) are worth the extra
effort & expense.  One of the individuals that responded to you has had
the tragic experience of losing a treasured loved one.  Please don't let
this happen to you.