Kidde?s Nighthawk 900-0114 combines smoke and CO
detection in a single unit. It uses a loud voice to alert occupants of either
smoke or CO. In the case of fire, it simply sounds a recording: ?Fire! Fire!?
In the case of high CO levels, it sounds: ?Warning! Carbon Monoxide!? A voice
recording also announces low-battery conditions.
The 900-0114 is recommended for installation
in most living areas, including hallways, bedrooms, and kitchens. Powered by
120-volt household current, these units are primarily suited to new
construction--although they maybe be retrofitted to existing homes during
remodeling. Aside from not relying solely on battery power, these AC-powered
units can be interconnected with other compatible units so alarms sound
throughout the house. In the event of smoke or CO detection during a power
outage, the battery back-up takes over. Users may test smoke and CO sensors
with a single button.
Of all the units we?ve looked at, this one
has the most builder-friendly features. The unit is packaged in a sealed
plastic bag to protect it from contamination. It also has a dust cap to
prevent dust contamination during construction. The alarm has a gasket on the
bottom to prevent ceiling drafts from blowing air away from the sensor. The
quick connect plug cannot be accidentally disconnected, and the connector
prongs are protected with cardboard during shipping. Finally, just a pull of a
plastic tab will activate the supplied battery.
