32
WARNING Please Read Carefully
Note to Installers
This warning contains vital information. As t he only individual in contact with sy s-
tem users, it is your responsibility to bring each item in this warn ing to the attention
of the users of this system.
System Failures
This system has been carefully desi gned to be as effective as possible. Ther e are
circumstances, however, involving fire, burglary, or other types of emergencies
where it may not provide protect ion. Any alarm system of any type may be com-
promised deliberately or may fail to operate as expected for a variety of reasons.
Some but not all of these reasons may be:
■ Inadequate Installation
A security system must be installed p roperly in order to provide adequate pr otec-
tion. Every installation should be evaluated by a security professional to ens ure that
all access points and areas are covered. Locks and latches on windows and doors
must be secure and operate as inte nded. Windows, doors, walls, ceilings and other
building materials must be of sufficient strength and construction to provide the
level of protection expected. A reevaluation must be done during and after any con-
struction activity. An evaluation by the fire and/or police depa rtment is highly rec-
ommended if this service is available.
■ Criminal Knowledge
This system contains security features which were known to be effective at the time
of manufacture. It is possible for persons with crim inal intent to develop t echniques
which reduce the effectiveness of these features. It is impo rtant that a security sys-
tem be reviewed periodically to ensure that its features remain effect ive and that it
be updated or replaced if it is found that it does not provide the protect ion expected.
■ Access by Intruders
Intruders may enter through an unprotecte d access point, circumvent a sensing
device, evade detection by moving through an area of insufficient coverage, dis con-
nect a warning device, or interfere with or prevent the proper operation of the sys-
tem.
■ Power Failure
controllers, intrusion detectors, sm oke detectors and many other security devices
require an adequate power supply for proper operatio n. If a device operates from
batteries, it is possible for the batteries to fail. Even if the batteries have not failed,
they must be charged, in good condition and installed co rrectly. If a device operates
only by AC power, any interruption, however brief, will render that device inopera-
tive while it does not have power. Power interruptions of any leng th are often
accompanied by voltage fluctuations which may d amage electronic equipment su ch
as a security system. After a power interruption has occu rred, immediately conduct
a complete system test to ensure that the sy stem operates as intended.
■ Failure of Replaceable Batteries
This system’s wireless transmitters have bee n designed to provide several y ears of
battery life under normal conditions. The exp ected battery life is a function of the
device environment, usage and type. Ambient conditions such as high humidity,
high or low temperatures, or large temperature flu ctuations may reduce the
expected battery life. While each transmitting device has a low battery mon itor
which identifies when the batteries need to be replaced, this monitor may fail to
operate as expected. Regular testing and maint enance will keep the system in good
operating condition.
■ Compromise of Radio Frequency (Wireless) Devices
Signals may not reach the receiver under all circumstances which could include
metal objects placed on or near the radio path or deliberate jammi ng or other inad-
vertent radio signal interference.
■ System Users
A user may not be able to operate a p anic or emergency switch poss ibly due to per-
manent or temporary physical dis ability, inability to reach the device in t ime, or
unfamiliarity with the correct oper ation. It is important that all system u sers be
trained in the correct operation of the alarm syst em and that they know how to
respond when the system indicates an alarm .
■ Smoke Detectors
Smoke detectors that are a part of this system may not properly ale rt occupants of a
fire for a number of reasons, so me of which follow. The smoke detectors may have
been improperly installed or positioned. Smoke m ay not be able to reach the smoke
detectors, such as when the fire is in a ch imney, walls or roofs, or on the other side
of closed doors. Smoke detectors may not de tect smoke from fires on another level
of the residence or building.
Every fire is different in the amount of smoke produced and the ra te of burning.
Smoke detectors cannot sense all types of fires equall y well. Smoke detectors may
not provide timely warning of fires cau sed by carelessness or sa fety hazards such as
smoking in bed, violent explosions, escaping gas, impro per storage of flammable
materials, overloaded electrical circuits, c hildren playing with matches or arson.
Even if the smoke detector operates as int ended, there may be circumstance s when
there is insufficient warning to allow al l occupants to escape in time to avoid injury
or death.
■ Motion Detectors
Motion detectors can only detect motion within th e designated areas as shown in
their respective installation instructions. They ca nnot discriminate between intrud-
ers and intended occupants. Motion detectors do not pr ovide volumetric area pro-
tection. They have multiple beams of detec tion and motion can only be d etected in
unobstructed areas covered by these beams. They cannot de tect motion which
occurs behind walls, ceilings, floo r, closed doors, glass partitions, glass d oors or
windows. Any type of tampering wheth er intentional or unintentional such as
masking, painting, or spraying of any material on the len ses, mirrors, windows or
any other part of the detection system will impair its proper op eration.
Passive infrared motion detectors operate by sen sing changes in temperature. How-
ever their effectiveness can be reduced when the ambient temperat ure rises near or
above body temperature or if the re are intentional or u nintentional sources of h eat
in or near the detection area. Some of these heat source s could be heaters, radiators,
stoves, barbeques, fireplaces, sunlight, steam vents, lighting and so on.
■ Warning Devices
Warning devices such as sirens, bells, horns, or strobes may not warn p eople or
waken someone sleeping if there is a n intervening wall or door. If warning devices
are located on a different level of the residence or prem ise, then it is less likely that
the occupants will be alerted or awakened. Audible warning devices may be inter-
fered with by other noise sources such as stereos, radios, tel evisions, air condition-
ers or other appliances, or passing traffic. Au dible warning devices, however loud,
may not be heard by a hearing-impaired person.
■ Telephone Lines
If telephone lines are used to transm it alarms, they may be out of service or busy for
certain periods of time. Also an intruder may cut the telephone line or defeat its
operation by more sophisticated means which may be difficult to detect.
■ Insufficient Time
There may be circumstances when the system will operate as intended, yet the
occupants will not be protected from the emergen cy due to their inability to respond
to the warnings in a timely manner. If the system is monit ored, the response may
not occur in time to protect the occupants o r their belongings.
■ Component Failure
Although every effort has been made to make thi s system as reliable as po ssible, the
system may fail to function as intended due t o the failure of a component.
■ Inadequate Testing
Most problems that would prevent an alarm system from operating as intended can
be found by regular testing and mai ntenance. The complete system should be test ed
weekly and immediately after a break-in, an atte mpted break-in, a fire, a storm, an
earthquake, an accident, or any kind of construction activity inside or outside the
premises. The testing should include all sensing devic es, keypads, consoles, alarm
indicating devices and any other operatio nal devices that are part of the system.
■ Security and Insurance
Regardless of its capabilities, an alarm system is not a substitute for property or l ife
insurance. An alarm system also is not a substitute for property owners, renters, or
other occupants to act prudently to prevent or minimize the harmful effects of an
emergency situation.