5
WEEKLY TESTING
It is important to test this unit every week to make sure it is working properly. Using the test button is the
recommended way to test this smoke alarm.
Press and hold the test button on the cover of the unit until the alarm
sounds (the unit may continue to alarm for a few seconds after you release the button). If it does not alarm, make sure the
unit is receiving power and test it again. If it still does not alarm, replace it immediately.
During testing, you will hear a
loud, repeating horn pattern: 3 beeps, pause, 3 beeps, pause. When testing a series of interconnected units
you must test each unit individually. Make sure all units alarm when each one is tested.
REGULAR MAINTENANCE
This unit has been designed to be as maintenance free as possible, but there are a few simple things you must do to
keep it working properly.
•
Test it at least once a week.
•
Clean the smoke alarm at least once a month; gently vacuum off any dust using your household vacuum’s
soft brush attachment.
Never use water, cleaners or solvents since they may damage the unit.
•
Relocate the unit if it sounds frequent unwanted alarms. See “Where To Install Smoke Alarms.”
•
When the battery back-up becomes weak, the smoke alarm unit will “chirp” about once a minute (the low
battery warning). This low battery warning should last for 7 days, but you should replace the battery imme-
diately to continue your protection.
Choosing a replacement battery:
Your smoke alarm’s battery back-up requires one standard 9V battery. The following batteries are acceptable as
replacements. This list supplements the list on the smoke alarm battery door: Eveready #216, #522 (Energizer), #1222;
Duracell #MN1604, MX1604 (Ultra); Gold Peak #1604P, #1604S; Rayovac 1604, D1604. These batteries are available at
many local retail stores. You may also use a Lithium battery like the Ultralife U9VL-J for longer service life between
battery changes. These batteries are available at many local retail stores.
IMPORTANT!
Most carbon zinc batteries have an average service life of 1 year; most alkaline batteries have an average service life
of 1-2 years; most Lithium batteries have an average service life of 6-10 years. Actual service life depends on the
smoke alarm and the environment in which it is installed. All the batteries specified above are acceptable
replacement batteries for this unit. Regardless of the manufacturer’s suggested battery life, you MUST replace the
battery immediately once the unit starts “chirping” (the “low battery warning”).
IF THIS SMOKE ALARM SOUNDS
Responding To An Alarm
During an alarm, you will hear a loud, repeating horn pattern: 3 beeps, pause, 3 beeps, pause.
If the unit alarms and you are not absolutely certain of the source of the smoke, get everyone out of the house
immediately. Stay calm and follow your family escape plan. Stay as low to the ground as possible, and cover your
mouth with a damp cloth. Never open a door before testing to see if it is hot. Call the Fire Department from outside, and
give them your address then name. Read “What To Do In Case Of Fire” at the end of this manual for more information.
Smoke Alarms With Silence Feature Only: Cat. SA4121C and SA4121B:
If the unit alarms and you are certain
that the source of smoke is not a fire—cooking smoke or an extremely dusty furnace, for example—use the silence
feature to quiet the alarm, then open a nearby window or door and fan the smoke away from the unit. In most cases this
will silence the alarm, and once the smoke clears the unit will reset automatically.
Smoke Alarms Without the Silence Feature: Cat. SA4120C and SA4120B:
If the unit alarms and you are certain
that the source of smoke is not a fire—cooking smoke or an extremely dusty furnace—open a nearby window or door
and fan the smoke away from the unit. This will silence the alarm, and once the smoke clears the unit will reset itself
automatically.
Using The Silence Feature
(Cat. SA4121C and SA4121B Only):
The silence feature on these units can temporarily quiet an unwanted alarm for
several minutes. To use this feature, press the “Push To Silence” button on the cover. Once you activate it, you will hear a
reminder “chirp” about once a minute (for up to 15 minutes) and the Test feature is temporarily disabled. The “chirping”
will stop once the unit returns to normal operation.
If the unit will not silence and no heavy smoke is present, or if it
stays in silence mode continuously, it should be replaced immediately.
CAUTION
!
The silence feature does not disable the unit—it makes it temporarily less sensitive to smoke. For your
safety, if smoke around the unit is dense enough to suggest a potentially dangerous situation, the unit will
stay in alarm or may re-alarm quickly. If you do not know the source of the smoke, do not assume it is an
unwanted alarm. Not responding to a fire can result in property loss, injury, or death.
IF YOUR SMOKE ALARM IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY
If this unit is not working properly, there are a few simple things you should check before returning or replacing the unit:
•
Make sure it is clean as described in “Regular Maintenance.” A build-up of dirt, dust or grease can affect the
unit’s performance.
•
Make sure the unit is installed in a proper location. If you experience frequent unwanted alarms, try relocat-
ing it. See “Where to Install Smoke Alarms” for details.
•
Make sure it is receiving AC power from the household current.
•
Check that the back-up battery is fresh and still providing back-up protection.
•
Make sure you have not accidentally pressed the Silence Button (Cat. SA4121C and SA4121B) during
installation.
CAUTION
!
Always discharge the branch circuit before servicing an AC or AC/DC smoke alarm. First, turn off the AC
power at the circuit breaker or fuse box. Next, remove the battery from smoke alarms with battery back-up.
Finally, press and hold the test button for 5-10 seconds to discharge the branch circuit.
If the unit is still not operating properly, and it is still under warranty, send it, shipping prepaid, to: BRK Brands, Inc.,
Attn.: Consumer Affairs, 3920 Enterprise Court, Aurora, IL 60504-8132. Enclose a note in the package describing what’s
wrong with the unit. See warranty information at the end of this manual.
CAUTION
!
Do not try to fix the unit yourself—this will void your warranty!
WARNING
!
NEVER use an open flame of any kind to test this unit. You might accidentally damage or set fire to the
unit or to your home. The built-in test switch accurately tests the unit’s operation as required by
Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. (UL). If you choose to use an aerosol smoke product to test the smoke
alarm, be certain to use one that has been Listed to Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. Safety Standards,
and use it only as directed. Use of non-UL Listed products or improper use of UL Listed products may
affect the smoke alarm’s sensitivity.
WARNING
!
Use only the replacement batteries listed below. The battery back-up may not operate properly with
other batteries. Never use rechargeable batteries since they may not provide a constant charge.
IMPORTANT!
The battery door will not close unless a battery is installed. This warns you the unit will not operate under
DC power without a battery.
WARNING
!
•
If the unit alarms and you are not testing the unit, it is warning you of a potentially dangerous situ-
ation that requires your immediate attention. NEVER ignore any alarm. Ignoring the alarm may
result in injury or death. If the unit alarms and you are not absolutely certain of the source of the
smoke, get everyone out of the house immediately.
•
Never disconnect the AC power to quiet an unwanted alarm. Disconnecting the power disables the
alarm so it cannot sense smoke. This will remove your protection. Instead open a window or fan
the smoke away from the unit. The alarm will reset automatically.
DANGER!
•
ELECTRICAL SHOCK HAZARD: Attempting to disconnect the power connector from the unit when the power is
on may result in electrical shock, serious injury or death.
IMPORTANT!
When an interconnected system of AC powered units is in alarm, the alarm indicator light on the unit(s) that
triggered the alarm will blink rapidly. It will remain OFF on any remaining units.
