About Smoke Alarms, Limitations of Smoke Alarms

ABOUT SMOKE ALARMS

Battery (DC) operated Smoke Alarms: Provide protection even when electricity fails, provided the batteries are fresh and correctly installed. Units are easy to install, and do not require professional installation.

AC powered Smoke Alarms: Can be interconnected so if one unit senses smoke, all units alarm. They do not operate if electricity fails. AC with battery (DC) back-up:will operate if electricity fails, provided the batteries are fresh and correctly installed. AC and AC/DC units must be installed by a qualified electrician.

Smoke Alarms for the hearing impaired: Special purpose Smoke Alarms should be installed for the hearing impaired. They include a visu- al alarm and an audible alarm horn, and meet the requirements of the Americans With Disabilities Act. Can be interconnected so if one unit senses smoke, all units alarm.

All these Smoke Alarms are designed to provide early warning of fires if located, installed and cared for as described in the user’s manual, and if smoke reaches them. If you are unsure which type of Smoke Alarm to install, refer to Chapter 2 of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Standard 72 (National Fire Alarm Code) and NFPA 101 (Life Safety Code). National Fire Protection Association, One Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02269-9101. Local building codes may also require specific units in new construction or in different areas of the home.

SPECIAL COMPLIANCE CONSIDERATIONS

This Smoke Alarm alone is not a suitable substitute for complete fire detection systems in places housing many people—like apartment buildings, condominiums, hotels, motels, dormitories, hospitals, long- term health care facilities, nursing homes, day care facilities, or group homes of any kind—even if they were once single-family homes. It is not a suitable substitute for complete fire detection systems in warehouses, industrial facilities, commercial buildings, and special-purpose non-resi- dential buildings which require special fire detection and alarm systems. Depending on the building codes in your area, this Smoke Alarm may be used to provide additional protection in these facilities.

The following information applies to all four building types below:

In new construction, most building codes require the use of AC or AC/DC powered Smoke Alarms only. In existing construction, AC, AC/DC, or DC powered Smoke Alarms can be used as specified by local building codes. Refer to NFPA 101 (Life Safety Code) or NFPA 72 (National Fire Alarm Code), local building codes, or consult your Fire Department for detailed fire protection requirements in buildings not defined as “households.”

1. Single-Family Residence:

Single family home, townhouse. It is recommended Smoke Alarms be installed on every level of the home, in every bedroom, and in each bed- room hallway.

2. Multi-Family or Mixed Occupant Residence:

Apartment building, condominium. This Smoke Alarm is suitable for use in individual apartments or condos, provided a primary fire detection system already exists to meet fire detection requirements in common areas like lobbies, hallways, or porches. Using this Smoke Alarm in common areas may not provide sufficient warning to all residents or meet local fire protection ordinances/regulations.

3. Institutions:

Hospitals, day care facilities, long-term health care facilities. This Smoke Alarm is suitable for use in individual patient sleeping/resident rooms, provided a primary fire detection system already exists to meet fire detection requirements in common areas like lobbies, hallways, or porches. Using this Smoke Alarm in common areas may not provide sufficient warning to all residents or meet local fire protection ordi- nances/regulations.

4. Hotels and Motels:

Also boarding houses and dormitories. This Smoke Alarm is suitable for use inside individual sleeping/resident rooms, provided a primary fire detection system already exists to meet fire detection requirements in common areas like lobbies, hallways, or porches. Using this Smoke Alarm in common areas may not provide sufficient warning to all resi- dents or meet local fire protection ordinances/regulations.

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LIMITATIONS OF SMOKE ALARMS

Smoke Alarms have played a key role in reducing deaths resulting from home fires worldwide. However, like any warning device, Smoke Alarms can only work if they are properly located, installed, and maintained, and if smoke reaches them. They are not foolproof.

Smoke Alarms cannot work without power. Battery operated units cannot work if the batteries are missing, disconnected or dead, if the wrong type of batteries are used, or if the batteries are not installed cor- rectly. AC units cannot work if the AC power is cut off for any reason (open fuse or circuit breaker, failure along a power line or at a power sta- tion, electrical fire that burns the electrical wires, etc.). If you are con- cerned about the limitations of battery or AC power, install both types of units.

Smoke Alarms cannot detect fires if the smoke does not reach them. Smoke from fires in chimneys or walls, on roofs, or on the other side of closed doors may not reach the sensing chamber and set off the alarm. That is why one unit should be installed inside each bedroom or sleeping area—especially if bedroom or sleeping area doors are closed at night—and in the hallway between them.

Smoke Alarms may not detect fire on another floor or area of the home. For example, a stand-alone unit on the second floor may not detect smoke from a basement fire until the fire spreads. This may not give you enough time to escape safely. That is why recommended mini- mum protection is at least one unit in every sleeping area, and every bedroom on every level of your home. Even with a unit on every floor, stand-alone units may not provide as much protection as interconnect- ed units, especially if the fire starts in a remote area. Some safety experts recommend installing interconnected AC powered units with battery back-up (see “About Smoke Alarms”) or professional fire detec- tion systems, so if one unit senses smoke, all units alarm. Interconnected units may provide earlier warning than stand-alone units since all units alarm when one detects smoke.

Smoke Alarms may not be heard. Though the alarm horn in this unit meets or exceeds current standards, it may not be heard if: 1) the unit is located outside a closed or partially closed door, 2) residents recently consumed alcohol or drugs, 3) the alarm is drowned out by noise from stereo, TV, traffic, air conditioner or other appliances, 4) residents are hearing impaired or sound sleepers. Special purpose units, like those with visual and audible alarms, should be installed for hearing impaired residents.

Smoke Alarms may not have time to alarm before the fire itself causes damage, injury, or death, since smoke from some fires may not reach the unit immediately. Examples of this include persons smoking in bed, children playing with matches, or fires caused by violent explosions resulting from escaping gas.

Smoke Alarms are not foolproof. Like any electronic device, Smoke Alarms are made of components that can wear out or fail at any time. You must test the unit weekly to ensure your continued protection.

Smoke Alarms cannot prevent or extinguish fires. They are not a substi- tute for property or life insurance.

Smoke Alarms have a limited life. The unit should be replaced imme- diately if it is not operating properly. You should always replace a Smoke Alarm after 10 years from date of purchase. Write the purchase date on the space provided on back of unit.