FBI XL-1T, Installation And Setup Manual

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D–1
A P P E N D I X D
Warnings and Limitations
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Warning Limitations of This Alarm System
While this system is an advanced-design security system, it does not offer guaranteed protection against burglary, fire, or
other emergency. Any alarm system, whether commercial or residential, is subject to compromise or failure to warn for a
variety of reasons. For example:
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Intruders may gain access through unprotected openings or have the technical sophistication to bypass an alarm sensor
or disconnect an alarm warning device.
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Intrusion detectors (e.g., passive infrared detectors), smoke detectors, and many other sensing devices will not work
without power. Battery-operated devices will not work without batteries, with dead batteries or if the batteries are not put
in properly. Devices powered solely by AC will not work if their AC power supply is cut off for any reason, however briefly.
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Signals sent by wireless transmitters may be blocked or reflected by metal before they reach the alarm receiver. Even if
the signal path has been recently checked during a weekly test, blockage can occur if a metal object is moved into the
path.
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A user may not be able to reach a panic or emergency button quickly enough.
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While smoke detectors have played a key role in reducing residential fire deaths in the United States, they may not
activate or provide early warning for a variety of reasons. In as many as 35% of all fires, according to data published by
the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Some of the reasons smoke detectors used in conjunction with this
system may not work are as follows: Smoke detectors may have been improperly installed and positioned. Smoke
detectors may not sense fires that start where smoke cannot reach the detectors, such as in chimneys, in walls, or roofs,
or on the other side of closed doors. Smoke detectors may not sense a fire on another level of a residence or building. A
second-floor detector, for example, may not sense a first-floor or basement fire. Moreover, smoke detectors have sensing
limitations. No smoke detector can sense every kind of fire every time. In general, detectors may not always warn about
fires caused by carelessness and safety hazards like smoking in bed, violent explosions, escaping gas, improper storage
of flammable materials, overloaded electrical circuits, children playing with matches, or arson. Depending on the nature
of the fire and/or the location of the smoke detectors, the detector, even if it operates as anticipated, may not provide
sufficient warning to allow all occupants to escape in time to prevent injury or death.
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Passive Infrared Motion Detectors can only detect intrusion within the designed ranges as diagrammed in their
installation manual. Passive Infrared Detectors do not provide volumetric area protection. They do create multiple beams
of protection, and intrusion can only be detected in unobstructed areas covered by the beams. They cannot detect motion
or intrusion that takes place behind walls, ceilings, floors, closed doors, glass partitions, glass doors, or windows.
Mechanical tampering, masking, painting, or spraying of any material on the mirrors, windows, or any part of the optical
system can reduce their detection ability. Passive Infrared Detectors sense changes in temperature; however, as the
ambient temperature of the protected area approaches the temperature range of 90 to 150 F, the detection performance
can decrease.
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Alarm warning devices such as sirens, bells, or horns may not alert people or wake up sleepers who are located on the
other side of closed or partly open doors. If warning devices sound on a different level of the residence from the
bedrooms, they are less likely to waken or alert people inside the bedrooms. Even persons who are awake may not hear
the warning if the alarm is muffled by noise from a stereo, radio, air conditioner, or other appliance or by passing traffic.
Finally, alarm warning devices, however loud, may not warn hearing-impaired people or waken deep sleepers.
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Telephone lines needed to transmit alarm signals from a premises to a central monitoring station may be permanently, or
temporarily out of service. Telephone lines are also subject to compromise by sophisticated intruders.
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Even if the system responds to the emergency as intended, occupants may have insufficient time to protect themselves
from the emergency situation. In the case of a monitored alarm system, authorities may not respond appropriately.
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This equipment, like other electrical devices, is subject to component failure. Even though this equipment is designed to
last as long as 10 years, the electronic components could fail at any time.
The most common cause of an alarm system not functioning when an intrusion or fire occurs is inadequate maintenance. This
alarm system should be tested weekly to make sure all sensors are working properly. Installing an alarm system may make
one eligible for lower insurance rates, but an alarm system is not a substitute for insurance. Homeowners, property owners,
and renters should continue to act prudently in protecting themselves and continue to insure their lives and property.
We continue to develop new and improved protection devices. Users of alarm systems owe it to themselves and their loved
ones to learn about these developments.