Are Kidde and FireX the same company?

Author: Prof. Teresa Fisher V  |  Last update: Saturday, April 19, 2025

In 2009, Kidde Acquired the company FireX, which was owned by Invensys Controls.

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.

What company owns Kidde?

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

Can you mix brands of hardwired smoke detectors?

Testing and Certification: Smoke detectors are tested and certified as systems, so mixing brands might void warranties or certifications. For optimal safety and functionality, it's advisable to use smoke detectors of the same brand and model when interconnecting them.

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.

"Pro-Tip...", Swapping Out Wired Smoke Alarms

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

To get your smoke alarm to stop chirping if you've already changed the battery, first try draining any residual charge by holding the test button down for 15 seconds. If this doesn't solve the problem, clean the unit. A blast of compressed air will often remove the dust particles that are causing the beeps.

What is the life expectancy of a Firex smoke alarm?

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. check alarm status and connection.

Does Firex still exist?

Kidde acquired the manufacturer of Firex branded products 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.

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.

Can I replace my own hardwired smoke detector?

You can install a hardwired smoke detector yourself, but only if you have a good familiarity with home electrical work and an understanding of electrical circuits before attempting this project.

Did Kidde buy out FireX?

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. ~167 thousand fire extinguishers were recalled.

Are Kidde smoke detectors 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.

How long does Kidde last?

Kidde CO alarms have a proven life of seven to ten years, depending on the model type. Important Note! CO alarms do not detect the presence of CO when in end-of-life mode. Replace your CO alarms before the end-of-life warning.

How often should Firex smoke detectors be replaced?

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. Dust and cobwebs make it harder for alarms to detect smoke.

Why does my Firex smoke detector blink red every 30 seconds?

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.

Are all hardwired smoke alarms the same?

Hardwired smoke detectors can be interchangeable as long as they are designed for the same voltage and wiring configuration.

Which brand is better, Kidde or First Alert?

Overall, we recommend the First Alert SA3210 because it combines photoelectric and ionization sensors that detect low and smoky fires as well as high flames. It's also battery-operated, so it's easy to install. If you're looking for a bargain, the Kidde I9030 is a basic smoke detector that does the job at low cost.

What is the most commonly used smoke detector?

The other uses the radiation from a small amount of radioactive material to sense smoke. These types of detectors, also referred to as ionization chamber smoke detectors, are the most commonly used because of their sensitivity and ability to identify a wider range of fire conditions.

Do you really need to replace smoke detectors every 10 years?

The US National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) have issued NFPA Standard 72, National Fire Alarm and Signalling Code, which states that all smoke alarms (including alarms that use 10 year batteries, and those that are hard wired) should be replaced when they are ten years old, or sooner if they don't respond ...

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 do you dispose of a Firex smoke alarm?

Per the EPA, “There are no special disposal instructions for ionization smoke detectors. They may be thrown away with household garbage, or your community may have a separate recycling program.

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.

Did Firex go out of business?

Firex became part of Kidde in 2008 and their product was discontinued. Unfortunately, the units may look the same but are different manufacturers.

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 does my fire alarm go off at 3am?

Low battery life triggers the alarm in a smoke detector more often in the early hours of the morning. You should check the alarm batteries in every battery operated smoke alarm on a regular basis. As the battery in a smoke alarm loses power, it causes an internal resistance within the smoke detector.

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