BRK / First Alert SC7010BA: lights, beeps & chirps explained
Hardwired photoelectric smoke + CO combo with AA backup. Here is what every light and sound on the BRK / First Alert SC7010BA means, how to test and hush it, and when it needs replacing. It's an older model I still find on ceilings across the Lower Mainland. For carbon monoxide protection, see our carbon monoxide alarm installation.
What the beeps and chirps mean
| Sound | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 3 beeps, pause, repeat | SMOKE. Get everyone out and call 911. |
| 1 chirp about once a minute | Low battery. Replace the AA batteries (silence for up to 8 hours). |
| 5 chirps about once a minute | END OF LIFE (10 years from manufacture). Replace the alarm. |
Want to hear them? The free app's sound library plays each pattern.
How to
Battery
AA alkaline backup. A new battery does not stop the 5-chirp end-of-life signal.
How long does it last?
Replace it 10 years after the date printed on the back. The test button can still work after the sensor has worn out, so the date is what counts. Sometimes the date is on the side, but the back is the best place to look. Need one swapped? See smoke alarm replacement and repair.
What replaces it
Today's replacement is the BRK / First Alert SC6W10A ($94.99 installed, plus the $99.99 service fee).
Other alarm guides
BRK / First Alert SC6W10A · BRK / First Alert SM6W10A · BRK / First Alert 9120BA · BRK / First Alert 9120LBL · BRK / First Alert SC9120BA · BRK / First Alert SC9120LBL · BRK / First Alert 7010BA
All alarm guides · Chirp codes: Kidde vs First Alert