Are Firex and Kidde the same?

Author: Letha Blick  |  Last update: Tuesday, March 31, 2026

The manufacturer of Firex® branded products was acquired by Kidde in 2009. Invensys Controls no longer manufactures or supports these products. This website may contain some historical support documents, such as product user guides that may reference the Invensys Controls name or mailing address for product support.

Are Kidde and FireX compatible?

The Kiddie and FireX Alarm models listed have been tested and are interconnect compatible: 1235, 1275, 1276, 1285, i12020, i12040, i12060, i12080, i4618, PE120, PI2000, KN-COSM-IB, KN-COB-IC, KN-COP-IC, AND RF-SM-ACDC.

Are FireX and Kidde the same company?

In 2009, Kidde Acquired the company FireX, which was owned by Invensys Controls. In March 2009, 9 models of Kidde XL fire extinguishers manufactured from October 2007 through April 2008 were recalled due to failure of operation.

Why does FireX keep beeping?

First, replace the old battery. If you've installed a new battery and the alarm continues to beep, drain any residual charge from the unit. Remove the unit from the ceiling and remove its battery, then hold the test button for 15 seconds. Next, replace the battery.

Are different brands of hardwired smoke detectors compatible?

If your home has hardwire connections, then you should replace the alarms with hardwired smoke alarms of the same manufacturer. You can use a different manufacturer, but this may require an electrician to come in and wire in a different plug (also see the interconnection section below).

Best Smoke Detectors 2024 - The Only 6 To Consider Today

Does Firex still exist?

About Firex Products

Kidde acquired the manufacturer of Firex branded products in 2009 - Invensys Controls no longer manufactures or supports these products.

Can you mix brands of wired smoke detectors?

Absolutely! You can mix and match hardwired First Alert, BRK, and Onelink models. All of our current models use the same wiring harness and connector. We do not recommend mixing different brands since we can only guarantee the performance of First Alert and BRK alarms.

Why is my Firex smoke alarm going off for no reason?

Why does my FireX smoke alarm keep going off? The most common cause of a FireX smoke alarm going off (aside from detecting smoke) is a low battery or unreliable power supply. You should also check for any dust, dirt or debris near the smoke alarm.

Do Firex smoke detectors go bad?

Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms must be replaced within the specific lifetime of the product, usually 5 to 10 years after the date of manufacture. Learn how to easily replace your old Firex alarms.

Why is my kidde 10 year smoke alarm going off for no reason?

Clean The Alarm

Dust and debris can affect the alarm. As far as it is concerned, the spider web or speck of dust that is obscuring the sensor is a potential fire and therefore the alarm needs to be sounded. The easiest way to clean an alarm is to run a vacuum cleaner over the vent.

When should I replace my Firex smoke detector?

But whatever you call them, they should be replaced every 10 years, according to manufacturers and the National Fire Protection Association, a nonprofit organization funded by the fire-protection industry that provides code language for local building departments and certification programs for people in various safety- ...

Why is my Firex smoke detector blinking red every 10 seconds?

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 and the red LED blinks every 10 seconds. This indicates that the alarm is in a temporarily desensitized condition.

What company owns Kidde?

Kidde is part of Carrier Global Corporation, one of the world's largest providers of building technologies.

How often should I replace smoke detectors?

A “chirping” sound means that it's time to change batteries. Because alarm sensors wear out, replace each alarm at least every 10 years. Also, alarms have labels showing when they were made. If you don't see a label, the alarm is old and must be replaced.

Does Firex detect carbon monoxide?

Protect your family with the Kidde Firex Carbon Monoxide Detector, Battery Powered, CO Detector. The Kidde Firex Carbon Monoxide Detector, Battery Powered, CO Detector operates on one, 2-AA alkaline batteries.

What models of Kidde smoke detectors are being recalled?

The recalled units are Kidde Model Series 2040, 2050, 2060 and 2070 Smoke and Combination Smoke/Carbon Monoxide alarms. Only alarms with the TruSense logo or “AMBER=FAULT” printed on the front of the alarm are included in this recall. The model number is printed on the back of the alarm.

Do I need an electrician to replace hardwired smoke detectors?

Can I install a hardwired smoke detector myself? While it is technically possible, it is not recommended. Working with your home's electrical system can be dangerous and complex, best left to a qualified electrician.

Why is my Firex hard wired smoke detector chirping?

A hard-wired smoke detector usually chirps because of 1 of these 3 problems: A dead backup battery. Dust inside your detector. Malfunctioning/old detector.

How old is my Firex smoke detector?

Find the date of manufacture

The date of manufacture for your alarm is printed in date format on the back of your alarm: YYYY, Month, DD.

Why did my hard wired smoke alarm go off in the middle of the night?

Why did my fire alarm randomly go off in the middle of the night? This is likely due to one of the common causes like low battery, dirt buildup, humidity, or insects interfering with the sensor.

Why does my Firex smoke detector keep beeping even after I change the battery?

There are a few possible causes for your smoke alarm to keep chirping even with a new battery. It might be time to buy a new detector. Check the date of manufacture printed on the back of your alarm to confirm it's not expired. Most alarms expire 7-10 years after the manufacture date.

How to reset kidde Firex smoke alarm?

Resetting the Alarm
  1. Turn off the power to the smoke alarm at the circuit breaker.
  2. Remove the smoke alarm from the mounting bracket and disconnect the power.
  3. Remove the battery.
  4. Press and hold the test button for at least 15 seconds. ...
  5. Reconnect the power and reinstall the battery.

What smoke detector do firemen recommend?

Since no one can predict what type of fire might start in their home, the U.S. Fire Administration recommends that every home and place where people sleep have: Both ionization AND photoelectric smoke alarms, OR. Dual-sensor smoke alarms, which contain both ionization and photoelectric smoke sensors.

Which is better, photoelectric or ionization?

Ionization sensing technology is generally more sensitive than photoelectric sensing technology at detecting small particles, which tend to be produced in greater amounts by flaming fires. These types of fires consume combustible materials rapidly and spread quickly.

Are all Kidde smoke detectors compatible?

*Kidde alarms interconnect with all Kidde, Fyrnetics, Nighthawk, Silhouette, and Lifesaver branded alarms, strobe lights, and relay modules with interconnect functionality.

Previous article
How long to wait between oil based coats?
Next article
How much space should I leave around a radiator?