Special Requirements For Interconnected Smoke Alarms
WARNING!
•Failure to meet any of the requirements for interconnecting smoke alarms could damage the units, and cause them to malfunction, removing your protection.
•AC and AC/DC smoke alarms can be interconnected. Under AC power, all units will alarm when one senses smoke. When power is interrupted, only the AC/DC units in the series will continue to send and receive signals. AC powered smoke alarms will not operate.
Interconnected units can provide earlier warning of fire than
smoke alarms SA4120B, SA4121B, SA4919B, SA86B, SA100B; BRK Electronics® smoke alarms 100S, 2002RAC, 4120B, 4120SB, 4919, 5919, 5919TH, 86RAC; BRK Electronics® heat alarm HD6135F.
IMPORTANT!
Interconnect units within a single family residence only. Otherwise all households will experience unwanted alarms when you test any unit in the series. Interconnected units will only work if they are wired to compatible units and all requirements are met.
Interconnected units must meet ALL of the following requirements:
•A maximum of 18 units total may be interconnected (Maximum of 12 smoke alarms).
•The same fuse or circuit breaker must power all interconnected smoke alarms.
•The total length of wire interconnecting the units should be less than 1000 feet (304.8 meters). The interconnect wire should be #18 gauge or larger, rated at least 300V. If an interconnect wire is not already part of your household wiring, you will need to install one. This type of wire is commonly avail- able at Hardware and Electrical Supply stores.
•All wiring must conform to all local electrical codes and Article 760 of the National Electrical Code (NFPA 70). Refer to NFPA 72, Chapter 2 and/or your local building code for further connection require- ments.
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1 | Smoke alarm | 3 | Power connector | 5 | Junction box | 7 | Interconnect wire |
2 | Ceiling or wall | 4 | Wire nut | 6 | Neutral (white) AC | 8 | Hot (black) AC wire |
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REGULAR MAINTENANCE
This unit has been designed to be as maintenance free as possible, but there are a few simple things you must do to keep it working properly.
•Test it at least once a week.
•Clean the smoke alarm at least once a month; gently vacuum off any dust using your household vacuum’s soft brush attachment. Never use water, cleaners or solvents since they may damage the unit.
•Relocate the unit if it sounds frequent unwanted alarms. See “Where To Install Smoke Alarms.”
CAUTION!
If the strobe light lens is loose or broken, the entire unit should be replaced immediately. Never remove the strobe light lens for any reason. Doing so can permanently damage the unit and will void your warranty.
IF THIS SMOKE ALARM GOES INTO ALARM
WARNING!
•If the unit alarms and you are not testing the unit, it is warning you of a potentially dangerous situation that requires your immediate attention. NEVER ignore any alarm. Ignoring the alarm may result in injury or death. If the unit alarms and you are not absolutely certain of the source of the smoke, get everyone out of the house immediately.
•Never disconnect the AC power to quiet an unwanted alarm. Disconnecting the power disables the alarm so it cannot sense smoke. This will remove your protection. Instead open a window or fan the smoke away from the unit. The alarm will reset automatically.
DANGER!
•ELECTRICAL SHOCK HAZARD: Attempting to disconnect the power connector from the unit when the power is on may result in electrical shock, serious injury or death.
IMPORTANT!
When an interconnected system of AC powered units is in alarm, the alarm indicator light on the unit(s) that initiated the alarm will blink rapidly. It will remain OFF on the remaining units.
Responding To An Alarm
During an alarm, you will hear a loud, repeating horn pattern: 3 beeps, pause, 3 beeps, pause.
If the unit alarms and you are not absolutely certain of the source of the smoke, get everyone out of the house immediately. Stay calm and follow your family escape plan. Stay as low to the ground as possible, and cover your mouth with a damp cloth. Never open a door before testing to see if it is hot. Call the Fire Department from outside, and give them your address then name. Read “What To Do In Case Of Fire” at the end of this manual for more information.
If the unit alarms and you are certain that the source of smoke is not a
WEEKLY TESTING
WARNING!
•NEVER use an open flame of any kind to test this unit. You might accidentally damage or set fire to the unit or to your home. The
•Do not look directly at or touch the lens while the strobe light is flashing. Doing so can hurt your eyes or burn your fingers. If the strobe light does not flash during testing, the smoke alarm should be replaced.
It is important to test this unit every week to make sure it is working properly. Using the test button is the recommended way to test this smoke alarm. Press and hold the test button on the cover until the alarm sounds (the unit may continue to alarm for a few seconds after you release the button). If it does not alarm, make sure the unit is receiving power and test it again. If it still does not alarm, replace it immediately. During testing, you will hear a loud, repeating horn pattern: 3 beeps, pause, 3 beeps, pause. The strobe light should flash every time you test the smoke alarm.
IF YOUR SMOKE ALARM IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY
If this unit is not working properly, there are a few simple things you should check before returning or replacing the unit:
•Make sure it is clean as described in “Regular Maintenance.” A
performance.
•Make sure the unit is installed in a proper location. If you experience frequent unwanted alarms, try relocat- ing it.
See “Where to Install Smoke Alarms” for details.
•Make sure it is receiving AC power from the household current.
CAUTION!
Always discharge the branch circuit before servicing an AC or AC/DC smoke alarm. First, turn off the AC power at the circuit breaker or fuse box. Next, remove the battery from smoke alarms with battery
If the unit is still not operating properly, and it is still under warranty, send it, shipping prepaid, to BRK Brands, Inc., Attn.: Customer Service, 3920 Enterprise Court, Aurora, IL
IMPORTANT!
When testing smoke alarms in an interconnected series, you must test each unit individually. Make sure all units alarm when each one is tested. The strobe lights on all units should flash as each individual smoke alarm is tested.
CAUTION!
Do not try to fix the unit
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