Customer Reviews

First Alert/BRK Brands SL177 Hearing Impaired Strobe Light

5 star:		(0)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

When ordering this product, no where does is state that this is not a smoke detector. You have to have a current smoke detector in use and this product works in tandem with it. Very misleading.

As has been pointed out by another review, this device IS NOT A SMOKE DETECTOR. The product details are unclear (and misleading) by stating that this product may be interconnected with another First Alert device ... but does not state that this interconnection IS REQUIRED.

Please consider adding a line to the product description stating:
THIS IS NOT A SMOKE DETECTOR ... must be interconnected with "xxx" device to work.

This unit WILL NOT WORK IF THE POWER FAILS! Statement from the manufacturer:

The strobe cannot work without AC power. The strobe will not
operate if AC power is cut off for any reason (open fuse or circuit
breaker, failure along a power line or at a power station, electrical
fire that burns the electrical wires, etc.).

The Strobe will not operate unless smoke, heat or CO reaches the
corresponding alarm. Refer to the user's manuals supplied with the
interconnected smoke, heat or CO alarms.

Strobes are not a substitute for property or life insurance.

Since many fires lead to power failures, this unit is only good as an early alert system. If the fire has started, it may be too late.

I would suggest this light up battery operated Smoke Alarm as an alternative:
First Alert SA720CN Smoke Alarm Photoelectric Sensor with Escape Light

This unit is described in such a way as to SEEM stand alone - but it is not. To function, this $50++ unit has to be wired in to an existing smoke alarm. This requires cutting into sheetrock and wiring between the units and is a total waste of time. Really, really not happy this was not fully described.