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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:
Intruders may gain access through unprotected openings or have the technical
sophistication to bypass an alarm sensor or disconnect an alarm warning device.
Intrusion detectors (e.g. passive infrared detectors), smoke detectors, and many other
sensing devices will not work without 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.
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.
A user may not be able to reach a panic or emergency button quickly enough.
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 the
System may not work are as follows: 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 also 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.
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 degrees to 150 degrees Fahrenheit, the detection performance can decrease.
