ABOUT SMOKE ALARMS
Battery (DC) operated Smoke Alarms: Provide protection even when
electricity fails, provided the batteries are fresh and correctly installed.
Units are easy to install, and do not require professional installation.
However, they do not provide interconnected functionality.
AC powered Smoke Alarms: Can be interconnected so if one unit senses
smoke, all units alarm. They do not operate if electricity fails.
AC with battery (DC) back-up: will operate if electricity fails, provided the
batteries are fresh and correctly installed. AC and AC/DC units must be
installed by a qualified electrician.
Wireless Interconnected Alarms: Offer the same interconnected functionality
as with hardwired alarms, without wires. Units are easy to install and do not
require professional installation. They provide protection even when electricity
fails, provided the batteries are fresh and correctly installed.
Smoke Alarms for Solar or Wind Energy users and battery backup power
systems: AC powered Smoke Alarms should only be operated with true or
pure sine wave inverters. Operating this Smoke Alarm with most battery-
powered UPS (uninterruptible power supply) products or square wave or
“quasi sine wave” inverters will damage the Alarm. If you are not sure about
your inverter or UPS type, please consult with the manufacturer to verify.
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. These units 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
the Alarm. If you are unsure which type of unit to install, refer to NFPA (National
Fire Protection Association) 72 (National Fire Alarm Code) and NFPA 101 (Life
Safety Code). National Fire Protection Association, One Batterymarch Park,
Quincy, MA 02269-9101. Local building codes may also require specific units
in new construction or in different areas of the home.
SPECIAL COMPLIANCE CONSIDERATIONS
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, long-
term health care facilities, nursing homes, day care facilities, or group
homes of any kind—even if they were once single-family homes. It is not
a suitable substitute for complete fire detection systems in warehouses,
industrial facilities, commercial buildings, and special-purpose non-resi-
dential 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.
The following information applies to all four types of buildings listed below:
In new construction, most building codes require the use of AC or AC/DC
powered Smoke Alarms only. AC, AC/DC, or DC powered Smoke Alarms can
be used in existing construction as specified by local building codes. Refer to
NFPA 72 (National Fire Alarm 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.”
1. Single-Family Residence:
Single family home, townhouse. It is recommended Smoke Alarms be installed
on every level of the home, in every bedroom, and in each bedroom hallway.
2. Multi-Family or Mixed Occupant Residence:
Apartment building, condominium. This Smoke Alarm is suitable for use in
individual apartments or condos, 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.
3. Institutions: Hospitals, day care facilities, long-term health care facilities.
This Smoke Alarm is suitable for use in individual patient sleeping/resident
rooms, provided a primary fire detection system already exists to meet fire
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 the Alarms. 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 grand-
parents. 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 deter-
mine 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. Battery operated units cannot
work if the batteries are missing, disconnected or dead, if the wrong type of
batteries are used, or if the batteries are not installed 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
battery 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 condi-
tioner 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 pre-
vent 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.
7
Printed in Mexico M08-0178-002 Q
08/08
First Alert
®
is a registered trademark of the First Alert Trust.
BRK
®
is a registered trademark of BRK Brands, Inc.
LIMITED WARRANTY
BRK Brands, Inc., ("BRK") the maker of First Alert
®
brand and BRK
®
brand products, warrants that for a period of ten years from the date of purchase, this product will
be free from defects in material and workmanship. BRK, at its option, will repair or replace this product or any component of the product found to be defective during the
warranty period. Replacement will be made with a new or remanufactured product or component. If the product is no longer available, replacement may be made with a
similar product of equal or greater value. This is your exclusive warranty. This warranty is valid for the original retail purchaser from the date of initial retail purchase and is
not transferable. Keep the original sales receipt. Proof of purchase is required to obtain warranty performance. BRK dealers, service centers, or retail stores selling BRK
products do not have the right to alter, modify or any way change the terms and conditions of this warranty.
This warranty does not cover normal wear of parts or damage resulting from any of the following: negligent use or misuse of the product, use on improper voltage or
current, use contrary to the operating instructions, disassembly, repair or alteration by anyone other than BRK or an authorized service center. Further, the warranty does
not cover Acts of God, such as fire, flood, hurricanes and tornadoes or any batteries that are included with this unit.
BRK shall not be liable for any incidental or consequential damages caused by the breach of any express or implied warranty. Except to the extent prohibited by applicable
law, any implied warranty of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose is limited in duration to the duration of the above warranty. Some states, provinces or
jurisdictions do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages or limitations on how long an implied warranty lasts, so the above limitations
or exclusion may not apply to you. This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights that vary from state to state or province to province.
How to Obtain Warranty Service
Service: If service is required, do not return the product to your retailer. In order to obtain warranty service, contact the Consumer Affairs Division at 1-800-323-9005,
7:30 AM - 5:00 PM Central Standard Time, Monday through Friday. To assist us in serving you, please have the model number and date of purchase available when
calling. For Warranty Service return to: BRK Brands, Inc., 25 Spur Drive, El Paso, TX 79906
Battery: BRK Brands, Inc. make no warranty, express or implied, written or oral, including that of merchantability or fitness for any particular purpose with respect to battery.
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.
4. Hotels and Motels: Also boarding houses and dormitories. This Smoke
Alarm is suitable for use inside individual sleeping/resident rooms, provided a
primary fire detection system already exists to meet fire detection require-
ments 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.
