specIal coMplIance consIderatIons
This Smoke Alarm is suitable for use in apartments, condominiums,
townhouses, hospitals, day care facilities, health care facilities, boarding
houses, group homes and dormitories provided a primary fire detection
system already exists to meet fire detection requirements in common
areas like lobbies, hallways, or porches. Using this Smoke Alarm in
common areas may not provide sufficient warning to all residents or
meet local fire protection ordinances/regulations.
This Smoke Alarm alone is not a suitable substitute for complete fire
detection systems in places housing many people—like apartment
buildings, condominiums, hotels, motels, dormitories, hospitals, health
care facilities, nursing homes, day care facilities, or group homes of
any kind. It is not a suitable substitute for complete fire detection
systems in warehouses, industrial facilities, commercial buildings, and
special-purpose non-residential buildings which require special fire
detection and alarm systems. Depending on the building codes in your
area, this Smoke Alarm may be used to provide additional protection in
these facilities.
In new construction, most building codes require the use of AC or AC/
DC powered Smoke Alarms only. In existing construction, AC, AC/DC,
or DC powered Smoke Alarms can be used as specified by local build-
ing codes. Refer to NFPA 72 (National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code)
and NFPA 101 (Life Safety Code), local building codes, or consult your
Fire Department for detailed fire protection requirements in buildings not
defined as “households”.
lIMItatIons oF sMoke alarMs
Smoke Alarms have played a key role in reducing deaths resulting from
home fires worldwide. However, like any warning device, Smoke Alarms
can only work if they are properly located, installed, and maintained, and
if smoke reaches them. They are not foolproof.
Smoke alarms may not waken all individuals.
Practice the escape
plan at least twice a year, making sure that everyone is involved – from
kids to grandparents. Allow children to master fire escape planning and
practice before holding a fire drill at night when they are sleeping.
If children or others do not readily waken to the sound of the smoke
alarm, or if there are infants or family members with mobility limitations,
make sure that someone is assigned to assist them in fire drill and in
the event of an emergency. It is recommended that you hold a fire drill
while family members are sleeping in order to determine their response
to the sound of the smoke alarm while sleeping and to determine
whether they may need assistance in the event of an emergency.
Smoke Alarms cannot work without power.
DC operated units can-
not work if the battery pack is missing, deactivated, or dead, or if the
battery pack was not activated correctly. AC units cannot work if the AC
power is cut off for any reason (open fuse or circuit breaker, failure along
a power line or at a power station, electrical fire that burns the electrical
wires, etc.). If you are concerned about the limitations of DC or AC
power, install both types of units.
Smoke alarms cannot detect fires if the smoke does not reach
the Alarms.
Smoke from fires in chimneys or walls, on roofs, or on
the other side of closed doors may not reach the sensing chamber
and set off the alarm. That is why one unit should be installed inside
each bedroom or sleeping area—especially if bedroom or sleeping area
doors are closed at night—and in the hallway between them.
Smoke alarms may not detect fire on another floor or area of the
dwelling.
For example, a stand-alone unit on the second floor may not
detect smoke from a basement fire until the fire spreads. This may not
give you enough time to escape safely. That is why recommended
minimum protection is at least one unit in every sleeping area, and
every bedroom on every level of your dwelling. Even with a unit on
every floor, stand-alone units may not provide as much protection as
interconnected units, especially if the fire starts in a remote area. Some
safety experts recommend installing interconnected AC powered units
with battery back-up (see “About Smoke Alarms”) or professional
fire detection systems, so if one unit senses smoke, all units alarm.
Interconnected units may provide earlier warning than stand-alone
units since all units alarm when one detects smoke.
Smoke Alarms may not be heard.
Though the alarm horn in this unit
meets or exceeds current standards, it may not be heard if: 1) the unit
is located outside a closed or partially closed door, 2) residents recently
consumed alcohol or drugs, 3) the alarm is drowned out by noise from
stereo, TV, traffic, air conditioner or other appliances, 4) residents are
hearing impaired or sound sleepers. Special purpose units, like those
with visual and audible alarms, should be installed for hearing impaired
residents.
Smoke Alarms may not have time to alarm before the fire itself
causes damage, injury, or death, since smoke from some fires may
not reach the unit immediately. Examples of this include persons
smoking in bed, children playing with matches, or fires caused by
violent explosions resulting from escaping gas.
Smoke Alarms are not foolproof.
Like any electronic device, Smoke
Alarms are made of components that can wear out or fail at any time.
You must test the unit weekly to ensure your continued protection.
Smoke Alarms cannot prevent or extinguish fires. They are not a
substitute for property or life insurance.
Smoke Alarms have a limited life.
The unit should be replaced
immediately if it is not operating properly. You should always replace a
Smoke Alarm after 10 years from date of purchase. Write the purchase
date on the space provided on back of unit.
ABOUT SMOKE ALARMS, Continued
Smoke alarms for the hearing impaired:
Special purpose Smoke
Alarms should be installed for the hearing impaired. They include a
visual alarm and an audible alarm horn, and meet the requirements of
the Americans With Disabilities Act. Can be interconnected so if one
unit senses smoke, all units alarm.
Smoke alarms are not to be used with detector guards
unless the
combination has been evaluated and found suitable for that purpose.
All these Smoke Alarms are designed to provide early warning of fires if
located, installed and cared for as described in the user’s manual, and if
smoke reaches them.
BEDROOM
BEDROOM
HALL
LIVING ROOM
KITCHEN
FINISHED BASEMENT
REQUIRED TO MEET
NFPA RECOMMENDATIONS
RECOMMENDED FOR
ADDITIONAL PROTECTION
BEDROOM
BEDROOM
KITCHEN
LIVING ROOM
DINING ROOM
MULTI-STORY RESIDENCE
SINGLE-STORY RESIDENCE, APARTMENT,
MOBILE HOME
KEY:
EXISTING HOMES
SMOKE ALARMS WITH SILENCE
FEATURES RECOMMENDED FOR
ADDITIONAL PROTECTION
INTERCONNECTED AC OR
AC/DC SMOKE ALARMS
BEDROOM
BEDROOM
HALL
LIVING ROOM
KITCHEN
FINISHED BASEMENT
REQUIRED TO MEET
NFPA RECOMMENDATIONS
RECOMMENDED FOR
ADDITIONAL PROTECTION
BEDROOM
BEDROOM
LIVING ROOM
DINING ROOM
MULTI-STORY RESIDENCE
SINGLE-STORY RESIDENCE, APARTMENT,
MOBILE HOME
KEY:
NEW CONSTRUCTION
SMOKE ALARMS WITH SILENCE
FEATURES RECOMMENDED FOR
ADDITIONAL PROTECTION
KITCHEN
