FireX smoke and fire alarms
12 reports to CPSC, the latest made Oct 28, 2022. A report isn’t a recall.
Watch and the shortlist are kept with a free account, on every device. Your watch list. CPSC’s own search is on saferproducts.gov.
At a glance
From SaferProducts.gov, released Oct 25, 2026.
- 12reports to CPSC
- Oct 28, 2022the latest report was made
- Jun 28, 2011the earliest
- 11with the company’s comments
- Brand
- FireX
- Maker
- UTC Fire & SecurityMakers, importers or sellers, as the reports name them
- Product
- Smoke and fire alarmsCPSC’s product type: Fire or Smoke Alarms (code 702), in Home Maintenance and Structures: Home Security
Other ways the reports write the brand (3)
“FireX Smoke Alarm”, “FireX smoke and carbon monoxide alarm” and “Firex Smoke Alarm”
By month
The numbers, as a table
| Month | Reports |
|---|---|
| October 2022 | 1 |
| November 2021 | 1 |
| January 2021 | 1 |
| December 2018 | 1 |
| April 2018 | 1 |
| May 2015 | 1 |
| July 2013 | 1 |
| April 2012 | 1 |
| November 2011 | 1 |
| October 2011 | 1 |
| September 2011 | 1 |
| June 2011 | 1 |
How badly anyone was hurt
- No one hurt 11 CPSC: Incident, No Injury
- Not said 1 CPSC: Unspecified
As each report says it, in short words; CPSC’s own words are under each.
The reports, as CPSC published them
Reports people made to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. CPSC publishes each one after sending it to the company named, and doesn’t guarantee they’re accurate. A report isn’t a recall.
Each report is the words of the person who made it, as CPSC published them. The company’s comments, where CPSC published any, are set apart as the company’s own.
CPSC, SaferProducts.gov public database export. Released Oct 25, 2026. Updated daily.
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No one hurt Made Oct 28, 2022, sent to the company Nov 3, 2022, published by CPSC Nov 18, 2022
The product, in the report: FireX Ionization smoke alarm i4618AC - series and model, manufactured September 2019 under patent 4972181. Made in China.
Our builder installed a number of Kidde FireX smoke alarms in our house in 2020 when we renovated. They are hardwired but have battery back-up. Around February of this year, two of them started emitting a high-pitch chirp that we could not stop - we tried everything including holding down the button and changing the battery. Nothing stopped it so we had no choice but to rip the units out of the ceiling. In August, the same thing happened with a third one. I’m afraid this will continue until we have no choice but to rip all of them out of the ceiling. The chirping noise is maddening. How is this possible? We’ve never encountered this with any fire alarms we’ve had in previous houses we’ve owned in the last 30 years. Driving home owners crazy with a high pitched sound until they have no choice but to rip the unit out hardly seems safe. At this rate, we’ll end up with no smoke alarms in the house. I submitted a complaint on Kidde’s website on October 2 but have not received a response. It hardly seems fair that we must spend the money to resolve this issue.
Report Updated 1/23/23: As of January 23, 2023, we have been notified by the customer that Kidde has made no attempts to contact them to rectify the situation.
- Model
- i4618AC
- Where
- Arlington, Virginia: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Unspecified
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Unspecified
- As this report names them
- Brand FireX, made or sold by UTC Fire & Security
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
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No one hurt Made Nov 3, 2021, sent to the company Jan 20, 2022, published by CPSC Feb 3, 2022
The product, in the report: Firex Ionization Smoke Alarms Model I4618A
The caller indicates that he was testing the five or six smoke alarms at his client’s home to see if they communicate with one another when he noticed that one of the units did not.
The caller contacted the Manufacturer and explained the situation; the representative he spoke to indicated that it was out of their five-year warranty.
11/03/2021 - The caller was inspecting another home’s smoke alarms in a different neighborhood and two of the seven did not communicate with each other. The caller is concerned because these two units were the same model number and were manufactured in the same month and year. The caller notes that the two alarms he tested today have the following: Issue Number 0009098’ he is unsure if the previous home had the same information.
The consumer notes that none of these alarms were original to the home and they must have been purchased at a local shop. The consumer will not be contacting the Manufacturer again as they handled his previous call poorly.
- Model
- I4618A
- Where
- United States: Unspecified
- Who was involved
- Male
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Unspecified
- As this report names them
- Brand Firex, made or sold by UTC Fire & Security
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
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No one hurt Made Jan 28, 2021, sent to the company Feb 26, 2021, published by CPSC Mar 12, 2021
The product, in the report: Kidde Model# p12040 white smoke detector
I ordered a replacement smoke detector (Kidde Model p12040) as a replacement sometime in the last 4 months of 2020. The model shortly thereafter starting “chirping”, that is, emitting single pulses. The Kidde representative “reset” it which only temporarily resolved the problem. On 11/4/2020 I reported that it was again chirping and wanted a new model. A replacement was sent which happened to have been manufactured in July of 2019. On 12/28/2020 I reported that this model was chirping several times over the week - product that was a little more than a year old and had been installed for less time.. I reported it to Kidde who happened to mention that his previous calls were about the same model. He asked if I wanted a different “ion” model which I acceded to. On Jan11, 2021 I called and asked why I hadn’t received the replacement. She said they had a backlog in shipping and I should receive it in 7-10 business days (by Jan. 22). I haven’t as of today. During this time I reported it to the BBB (the case file can be sent), requesting a refund for the defective replacement that was sent. The Kidde representative said I couldn’t have both, a replacement “ion” detector and a refund for the defective replacement. The BBB resolved it by saying they couldn’t resolve whether a product was defective.
- Model
- p12040 Item 21006371
- UPC
- 47871 40399
- Serial number
- 1375-7128-02
- Bought from
- Walmart, California
- Bought
- Sep 1, 2020, about then
- Where
- SALINAS, California: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Unknown
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Unspecified
- As this report names them
- Brand FireX Smoke Alarm, made or sold by UTC Fire & Security
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
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No one hurt Made Dec 29, 2018, sent to the company Feb 15, 2019, published by CPSC Mar 5, 2019
The product, in the report: Combination Smoke/carbon monoxide Alarm
Kidde Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm, FAILED! My wife and I returned home from running an errand, and were hearing a “FIRE, FIRE, FIRE” alert. Immediately called 9-1-1. Fire department personnel found no fire or CO leaks. They did find this Kidde combo smoke/CO Alarm defective.
I called the Kidde recall hotline. I was informed this model manufactured on said date was not on their recall list. My alarm was installed in my home in FEB.’14. A four and half year old alarm should NOT go bad. It should last 10 years as described on the unit’s box! This model alarm is on the Kidde recall list but my alarm was too “new”. I think the Kidde recall date for this exact model was 11/10/2016.
- Model
- KN-COSM-IBA
- UPC
- 047871001149
- Serial number
- 2544-7201-00 EN
- Bought from
- Home Depot
- Bought
- Feb 1, 2014, about then
- Where
- Overland Park, Kansas: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Unknown
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Unspecified
- As this report names them
- Brand FireX smoke and carbon monoxide alarm, made or sold by UTC Fire & Security
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
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No one hurt Made Apr 2, 2018, sent to the company Apr 10, 2018, published by CPSC Apr 24, 2018
The product, in the report: FireX model i4618
Our bedroom smoke detector caught fire. Small smoke damage to the ceiling, no injuries. Fire extinguished itself. Received no notification from the smoke detector. We have 10 of these in our home, model # is i4618, Firex. Manufacturers date is 4/8/2011
- Model
- i4618
- Serial number
- Issue no. 77794
- Bought from
- Menards, Indiana
- Bought
- Jul 1, 2012, about then
- Where
- Greenwood, Indiana: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Unknown
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Unspecified
- As this report names them
- Brand FireX, made or sold by UTC Fire & Security
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
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Not said Made May 8, 2015, sent to the company May 18, 2015, published by CPSC Jun 2, 2015
The product, in the report: Firex 120-11828
I have 8 firex-120-11828 smoke detectors thru out my house... I had a couple of incidents where the kitchen and family room filled with smoke but nothing happen (heavy smoke) my house was built 2006... Are others having the same issues?
- Model
- I don’t know
- Where
- Summerville, South Carolina: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Unspecified
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Unspecified
- As this report names them
- Brand Firex Smoke Alarm, made or sold by UTC Fire & Security
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Unspecified
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No one hurt Made Jul 20, 2013, sent to the company Jul 29, 2013, published by CPSC Aug 19, 2013
The product, in the report: FireX brand smoke detector
Smoke detector mounted in basement area started to smoke and then went off. My son went to pull the battery out and it was hot and then exploded in his hand. The battery then caught the carpet on fire and the rest of the material was shot into the bathroom ruining the bath mat. Luckily my son was not injured. The battery is a FireX brand and the house was built in 2007 so the detectors all have mfg dates during that year. I am well aware of the need to install the “right” type of battery in smoke detectors since the house we lived in in CA was built in 2000 and I had 3 detectors explode. One also exploded in my hand and the only reason I was not injured was the connector part which shot out along with all the inside material was facing away from me.
How can it be that a smoke detector (a safety device!! Really!!) which has as it’s only job to detect smoke and fire is very often the cause of the smoke and fire?? I am just glad in both cases we were home during these times otherwise it could have caused more damage or I would think even a house fire.
What is the CPSC doing about this?? I can find incident after incident on the web of these things exploding and causing damage and injury. Supposedly this product was redesigned in 2000 but the issue is still occurring since this one was made in Aug of 2007. I have told many people about these 2 incidents and that they must put in only certain types of 9V. No one I have told has any idea that there are different 9V’s and that, only in these stupid smoke detectors, that they have a microscopic message stating only to use certain brands and certain models of 9V batteries. I guarantee if you ask 100 people on the street right now whether a 9V is a 9V that at least 99 will state yes. The one who says no will be the one which has had a battery explode in a SMOKE DETECTOR!!
- Where
- Spring Lake, Michigan: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Age 16, Male
- The reporter’s relation to them
- My Child
- As this report names them
- Brand FireX, made or sold by UTC Fire & Security
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
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No one hurt Made Apr 2, 2012, sent to the company May 2, 2012, published by CPSC May 16, 2012
The product, in the report: Kiddie Firex smoke alarm model 120-11828 manufactured date Aug 26 2006.
Change all the batteries in my firex model 120-11828 smoke detectors and had a chirping sound. Being the fire fighter that I am figured ok bad batteries. Bought new batteries and change them all again. Still chirping. Disconnected the AC power and that none of the smoke detectors equipmentworked under battery power. The rate of rise detectors I installed also fired brand work just fine under battery power. Used the battery from that test all 9 of the.smoke detectors and none of them worked under battery power. I have been a firefighter for 21 years and embarrassed to say I have never tested that detectors under battery power. Big concern is how long have they been like this. Date of manufacturer is Aug 21 2006.
- Model
- Firex 120-11828
- Bought from
- Homedepot
- Bought
- Dec 28, 2006, about then
- Where
- Rockford, Illinois: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Unknown
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Unspecified
- As this report names them
- Brand Firex, made or sold by UTC Fire & Security
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
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No one hurt Made Nov 4, 2011, sent to the company Nov 15, 2011, published by CPSC Nov 30, 2011
The product, in the report: FireX Ionization Smoke Alarm i4618-series Model i4618 102 VAC (60Hz 80mA max) 9 V battery back-up with Smart Hush. device date: 04/21/11
Report of an electrical fire in the single family home. Units arrived to find a FireX smoke alarm burning. The unit was removed from service.
- Model
- FireX Ionization Smoke Alarm i4618
- Where
- Marysville, Washington: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Unspecified
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Unspecified
- As this report names them
- Brand FireX, made or sold by UTC Fire & Security
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
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No one hurt Made Oct 26, 2011, sent to the company Nov 3, 2011, published by CPSC Nov 18, 2011
The product, in the report: Hard-wired battery backup smoke detector, interconnected in home.
Fire department responded to a call of smoke in a home. Homeowner said that her hard-wired smoke detector had started to smoke when she replaced the battery in it. Removed the detecotr from the wall and upon opening it found that a power resistor inside the unit was burnt, and the area around it on the circuit board was blackened.
- Model
- 120-1182
- UPC
- none
- Serial number
- none
- Where
- Iron Mountain, Michigan: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Female
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Unspecified
- As this report names them
- Brand Firex, made or sold by UTC Fire & Security
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
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No one hurt Made Sep 9, 2011, sent to the company Oct 20, 2011, published by CPSC Nov 3, 2011
The product, in the report: replacement of older model smoke alarms that may tie into a sprinkler flow switch
I think it is extremely important that a nation wide warning or alert be issued regarding the replacement of older model smoke alarms that may tie into a sprinkler flow switch (on any home that is equipped with a sprinkler system). Many of these types of alarms switched 120 VAC household current onto the interconnect wire. Modern smoke alarms utilize a 9 volt transistor battery as a backup. This is not a problem for new construction, but anyone contemplating a replacement of an older style smoke alarm should confirm the manufacturer type or model number. One very popular smoke alarm (that is no longer being sold or manufactured) was the Firex 428C. In fact this device was the unit of choice for anyone with a sprinkler system up to three (3) years ago. If you were to replace this unit with a modern [REDACTED] smoke alarm (as an example), wired it up in accordance with the instructions, and the flow switch tripped you would destroy all the interconnected detectors in the home and may even cause a fire. It may also be prudent to issue a warning about ensuring any alarms you do replace are compatible with each other and from the same manufacturer.
- Model
- 428
- Where
- Unspecified: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Unspecified
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Unspecified
- As this report names them
- Brand Firex, made or sold by UTC Fire & Security
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
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No one hurt Made Jun 28, 2011, published by CPSC Jul 20, 2011
The product, in the report: smoke alarm
Overnight smoke was smelled in a residential one family house. The occupant woke up to the sound of a smoke detector activated and the smell of smoke. A FireX brand smoke detector model #120-1182B was found to be on fire and melting. This detector is hardwired into the wall and has a battery back up. This detector was not sounding off but, the next closest detector was. This hardwired detector is one of six in this residence. The detector is melted and burned from the inside of the detector. The backup 9 volt battery was not the cause and was only damaged by smoke/heat. The date on the detector is dated (2006 JAN 17). This is the first report of a detector in this area of having an issue like this. I have pictures and the detector. Please let me know if I can be of any other assistance. Thank you for your time.
- Model
- 120-1182B
- UPC
- burned off
- Serial number
- burned off
- Where
- Rockford, Illinois: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Age 33, Female
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Unspecified
- As this report names them
- Brand FireX, made or sold by UTC Fire & Security
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
CPSC’s disclaimer
Disclaimer: CPSC does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the contents of the Publicly Available Consumer Product Safety Information Database on SaferProducts.gov, particularly with respect to information submitted by people outside of CPSC.
Word for word, from the disclaimer in CPSC’s export.
Sources
Sources
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U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, SaferProducts.gov public database export.
Released Oct 25, 2026 and checked Oct 25, 2026. Updated daily. Public domain (U.S. Government work). CPSC asks to be credited, and that no endorsement be implied.
Reports of harm are from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), on SaferProducts.gov. CPSC does not endorse Hearth Record.