Important Information: Smoke detector manufacturers recommend replacing smoke detectors at least every 10 years. Research shows detectors fail after 10 years, 50% after 15 years!
Kidde detector User's Guide on our site: English version or
Spanish VersionKidde (for both Kidde and Firex brands) go to Kidde site
For BRK or First Alert, go to this link
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The information below is from the Kidde User's Manual Section 4:
OPERATION AND TESTING OPERATION: The smoke alarm is operating once A.C. power is applied, fresh batteries are installed and testing is complete. When the smoke alarm ionization chamber senses products of combustion, the horn will sound a loud (85db) temporal alarm until the sensing chamber is cleared of smoke particles.
This smoke alarm is equipped with red and green LED indicators. The green LED (when illuminated) indicates the presence of AC power. The red LED has four modes of operation: Standby Condition: The red LED will flash every 30-40 seconds to indicate that the smoke alarm is operating properly. Alarm Condition:
When the alarm senses products of combustion and goes into alarm, the red LED will flash one flash per second. The flashing LED and pulsating alarm will continue until the air is cleared.
WHEN UNITS ARE INTERCONNECTED,only the red LED of the alarm which senses the smoke or is being tested (the originating unit) will flash. All other units in the interconnect system will sound an alarm but their red LEDs will NOT be flashing. Alarm Memory:
This smoke alarm is equipped with an alarm memory, which provides a visual indication when an alarm has been activated. The red LED will illuminate for about 1.5 seconds every 16 seconds to indicate the memory condition. The memory will remain activated until pushing the Test/Hush Button resets it. The memory will also reset if the battery voltage drops to 8 volts. In an inteconnected installation only the memory of the originating alarm will be activated.
SMART HUSH TM CONTROL: The HUSH feature has the capability of temporarily desensitizing the alarm circuit for up to 8 minutes. This feature is to be used only when a known alarm condition, such as smoke from cooking, activates the alarm. The HUSH feature cannot be activated unless the smoke alarm is sounding in the originating alarm mode.The smoke alarm is desensitized by pushing the TEST/HUSH button on the smoke alarm cover. If the smoke is not too dense, the alarm will silence immediately. The red LED will illuminate for 1.5 seconds every 8 seconds while in hush. This indicates that the alarm is in a temporarily desensitized condition. The smoke alarm will automatically reset after approximately 8 minutes and sound the alarm if particles of combustion are still present.
The HUSH feature can be used repeatedly until the air has been cleared of the condition causing the alarm. Pushing the Test/Hush button on the alarm will end the hush period. NOTE: DENSE SMOKE WILL OVERRIDE THE HUSH CONTROL FEATURE AND SOUND A CONTINUOUS ALARM. CAUTION: BEFORE USING THE ALARM HUSH FEATURE, IDENTIFY THE SOURCE OF THE SMOKE AND BE CERTAIN A SAFE CONDITION EXISTS. LED INDICATORS:
Hush mode: The red LED will illuminate for 1.5 seconds every 8 seconds, indicating the smoke alarm is in the Hush mode.
TESTING: Test by pushing the Test/Hush button on the cover and hold it down for a minimum of 5 seconds. This will sound the alarm if all the electronic circuitry, horn and battery are working. In an interconnected installation all interconnected alarms should sound when the test feature on any one of the interconnected alarms is activated. If no alarm sounds, check the fuse or circuit breaker supplying power to the alarm circuit. If the alarm still does not sound, the unit has defective batteries or other failure. DO NOT use an open flame to test your alarm, you could damage the alarm or ignite combustible materials and start a structure fire. TEST THE ALARM WEEKLY TO ENSURE.
Notes: (BOCA - Building Officials and Code Administrators), (NFPA - National Fire Protection Association)
1984 BOCA requires 1 detector per floor1988 BOCA requires interconnected detectors
1989 NFPA 74 requires interconnected detectors in new construction, 1 per floor
1993 NFPA 72 requires interconnected detectors in new construction, 1 per floor/1 within 10 feet of any bedroom, 1 in each bedroom
1999 NFPA 72 requires smoke detector replacement after 10 years maximum
Kidde smoke and carbon monoxide alarm solid green light
Answer provided by
In others, a steady or blinking green light on a carbon monoxide detector can mean it's detected a** low-level presence of carbon monoxide**. If the presence increased, it would cause the alarm to sound.
Green LED - Will flash every 30 seconds to indicate proper operation. Red LED - Flashes in conjunction with the alarm sounding. End of Life Signal – Ten years after initial power, the unit will “chirp” twice every 30 seconds to indicate the need to immediately replace the alarm.
For most Kidde smoke detectors, a constant green light indicates the device is connected to AC power. If the green light flashes rapidly, it means the battery is low, or there is no battery installed.
With all First Alert plug-in carbon monoxide alarms, any time there is a power outage, brownout, surge or other problem with the power, the alarm goes through a power up cycle. The flashing on your plug-in carbon monoxide alarm should stop after 5 minutes, then the light will stay a steady green.
The unit shall incorporate red and green LED indicators. The green LED (when illuminated) indicates the presence of AC power. The red LED (located under the TEST/Hush button) has four modes of operation: Standby Condition: The red LED will flash every 40 seconds to indicate that the smoke alarm is operating properly.