Model SA320
Printed in Mexico
M08-0224-003 Q11/10
IMPORTANT! PLEASE READ CAREFULLY AND SAVE.
This user’s manual contains important information about your Smoke
Alarm’s operation. If you are installing this Smoke Alarm for use by
others, you must leave this manual—or a copy of it—with the end user.
INTRODUCTION
Thank you for choosing First Alert®for your Smoke Alarm needs. You have
purchased a state of the art Smoke Alarm designed to provide you with an
early warning of a fire. Please take the time to read this manual and make
this Smoke Alarm an integral part of your family’ssafety plan.
Key Features of the SA320 Photo & Ion Combo Smoke Alarm:
Photo & Ion Smoke Sensors:Dual photoelectric and ionization smoke
sensing technologies for optimal sensing of smoke particles produced in
both flaming and smoldering fires.
Optipath 360 TechnologyTM:Patented technology provides 360˚ of direct
access to the smoke sensor.
Two Silence Features:Low Battery Silence temporarily silences low
battery chirp for up to eight hours before replacing low battery.
Alarm Silencesilences an unwanted alarm for several minutes.
Two Latching Features:Alarm Latch remembers which unit initiated an
alarm. Low Battery Latchvisually identifies which unit is in low battery
condition.
Perfect Mount:Mounting bracket keeps alarm secureover a wide rotation
range to allow for perfect alignment.
1
FIRE SAFETY TIPS
Follow safety rules and prevent hazardous situations: 1) Use smoking
materials properly. Never smoke in bed. 2) Keep matches or lighters away
from children; 3) Store flammable materials in proper containers;
4) Keep electrical appliances in good condition and don’t overload electrical
circuits; 5) Keep stoves, barbecue grills, fireplaces and chimneys grease-
and debris-free; 6) Never leave anything cooking on the stove unattended;
7) Keep portable heaters and open flames, like candles, away from flammable
materials; 8) Don’t let rubbish accumulate.
Keep alarms clean, and test them weekly.Replace alarms immediately if they
are not working properly. Smoke Alarms that do not work cannot alert you to a
fire. Keep at least one working fire extinguisher on every floor, and an additional
one in the kitchen. Have fire escape ladders or other reliable means of escape
from an upper floor in case stairs are blocked.
All First Alert®and BRK®Smoke Alarms conform to regulatory
requirements, including UL217 and are designed to detect particles of
combustion. Smoke particles of varying number and size are produced
inall fires.
Ionization technology is generally more sensitive than photoelectric
technology at detecting small particles, which tend to be produced
in greater amounts by flaming fires, which consume combustible
materials rapidly and spread quickly. Sources of these fires may include
paper burning in a wastebasket, or a grease fire in the kitchen.
Photoelectric technology is generally more sensitive than ionization
technology at detecting large particles, which tend to be produced in
greater amounts by smoldering fires, which may smolder for hours
before bursting into flame. Sources of these fires may include cigarettes
burning in couches or bedding.
For maximum protection, use both types of Smoke Alarms on each
level and in every bedroom of your home.
BEFORE YOU INSTALL THIS SMOKE ALARM
IMPORTANT! Read “Recommended Locations for Smoke Alarms” and
“Locations to Avoid for Smoke Alarms” before beginning. This unit monitors
the air, and when smoke reaches its sensing chamber, it alarms. It can give
you more time to escape before fire spreads. This unit can ONLY give an early
warning of developing fires if it is installed, maintained and located where
smoke can reach it, and where all residents can hear it, as described in this
manual. This unit will not sense gas, heat, or flame. It cannot prevent or
extinguish fires.
Understand The Different Type of Smoke Alarms
Battery powered or electrical? Different Smoke Alarms provide different
types of protection. See “About Smoke Alarms” for details.
Know Where To Install Your Smoke Alarms
Fire SafetyProfessionals recommend at least one Smoke Alarm on every
level of your home, in every bedroom, and in every bedroom hallway or
separate sleeping area. See “Recommended Locations For Smoke Alarms”
and “Locations ToAvoid For Smoke Alarms” for details.
Know What Smoke Alarms Can and Can’tDo
ASmoke Alarm can help alert you to fire, giving you precious time to
escape. It can only sound an alarm once smoke reaches the sensor.
See “Limitations of Smoke Alarms” for details.
Check Your Local Building Codes
This Smoke Alarm is designed to be used in a typical single-family home.
It alone will not meet requirements for boarding houses, apartment
buildings, hotels or motels. See “Special Compliance Considerations”
for details.
USER’S MANUAL

SMOKE ALARMS

Model SA320
with Silence

Battery Powered

Photo & Ion Smoke Alarm

LISTED TO

UL 217

STANDARD

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
FireSafety Tips ...............................................1
BeforeYou Install This Smoke Alarm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
How To Install This Smoke Alarm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Optional Locking Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Understanding the Indicator Lights
and Alarm Horn Patterns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Weekly Testing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Regular Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
If This Smoke Alarm Sounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
What To Do In Case Of Fire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Using the Silence Feature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Latching Feature ..............................................5
If You Suspect a Problem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Recommended Locations For Smoke Alarms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-6
Locations ToAvoid For Smoke Alarms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
About Smoke Alarms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Special Compliance Considerations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Limitations of Smoke Alarms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Limited Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
©2010 BRK Brands, Inc. All rights reserved. Distributed by BRK Brands, Inc.
3901 Liberty Street Road, Aurora, IL 60504-8122
Consumer Affairs: (800) 323-9005
www.firstalert.com • www.brkelectronics.com
•This unit will not alert hearing impaired residents. It is recom-
mended that you install special units which use devices like
flashing strobe lights to alert hearing impaired residents.
•This Smoke Alarm must have battery power to operate.
The Smoke Alarm cannot work until you install the batteries
in the correct position (Match “+” to “+” and “-” to “-”).
•Never remove the batteries from a battery operated unit to
stop an unwanted alarm (caused by cooking smoke, etc.).
Instead open a window or fan the smoke away from the unit.
The alarm will reset automatically.
•Do not install this unit over an electrical junction box. Only AC
powered units areintended for installation over junction boxes.
•This Smoke Alarm has a battery drawer which resists closing
unless batteries are installed. This warns you the unit will not
operate under DC power without batteries.
•Do not stand too close to the unit when the alarm is sounding.
It is loud to wake you in an emergency. Exposure to the horn at
close range may harm your hearing.
•Do not paint over the unit. Paint may clog the openings to the
sensing chambers and prevent the unit from operating properly.