Taking Care of Your Smoke Alarm

Your smoke alarm has been designed and manufactured to be as maintenance-free as possible. Here are a few simple steps you must perform, in addition to the weekly tests described in the section “WEEKLY TESTING OF YOUR SMOKE ALARM,” to keep your unit in good working order.

•The smoke alarm should be vacuumed monthly or more often if there is dust, dirt or kitchen grease that can accumulate. Use a soft brush or wand attach- ment and vacuum all slots in the cover and side. FOR YOUR SAFETY, you must properly clean and maintain your smoke alarm, since a dirty or malfunctioning unit may fail to alarm or cause unwanted nuisance alarms.

•If the unit is damaged or fails to operate properly, and you have checked that a good battery is installed correctly, follow the directions in the section "WHERE TO SEND YOUR SMOKE ALARM IF IT NEEDS SERVICE" for return. FOR YOUR SAFETY, DO NOT OPEN THE SMOKE ALARM AND TRY TO REPAIR IT YOURSELF. While smoke alarms are economical devices, they contain preci- sion electronic components that are precisely calibrated. The manufacturer must do repairs.

REPLACING THE BATTERY

The smoke alarm will “beep” once a minute for at least 30 days when the battery is weak. The battery must immediately be replaced with a fresh one.

The battery should also be changed if it does not sound an alarm when tested. TO REPLACE THE BATTERY:

1.Check if the tamper resist locking pin is installed in the smoke alarm (see “USING THE TAMPER RESIST LOCKING MECHANISM” section). If so, pull the pin com- pletely out of the smoke alarm using long-nose pliers.

Interior

2.Remove the smoke alarm from the mounting bracket by twisting counterclockwise

3.Replace old battery with a fresh one. If your smoke alarm has a safety light, the miniature lamp operates on two AA batteries. (See recommended batteries below.)

4.Check that battery connections are secure and the battery is secured in its compartment

5.Test smoke alarm for proper operation (see “WEEKLY TESTING OF YOUR SMOKE ALARM” section). The smoke alarm operates on a 9-volt battery. The normal battery operating life will be one (1) year. The life of some batteries may be less.

6. Firex smoke alarms sold with Ultralife long-life lithium batteries require replacement	E

approximately every ten (10) years or when the low battery signal sounds.

CAUTION: You should only use the batteries specified here or on the label of the unit.

For Models A, B, C, E and PB use: Eveready 216, 522 or 1222; Mallory MN1604; Duracell MN1604; or Ultralife U9VL-J.

For Model E also use AA Heavy Duty for light power. The miniature lamp operates

on two (2) AA batteries. For replacement, use heavy-duty or alkaline AA batteries: Eveready 1215, E91, or Duracell M15HD, MN1500.

CAUTION: Do not use any type of rechargeable batteries.

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