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INSIDE THIS MANUAL
THIS USER’S MANUAL HAS BEEN RESIZED TO PRINT OUT ON 8-1/2 x 11” PAGES.
BLACK page numbers reference the original printed document.
RED page numbers reference this web version.
Other Features Of Smoke Alarms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Special Compliance Considerations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Limitations Of Smoke Alarms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Where To Install Smoke Alarms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Where Not To Install Smoke Alarms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Protecting Your Family From Fire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
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What To Do In Case Of Fire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Important! Read Before Installing This Smoke Alarm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
How To Install This Smoke Alarm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Weekly Testing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
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Regular Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
If This Smoke Alarm Goes Into Alarm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
If This Smoke Alarm Is Not Working Properly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
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10-Year Limited Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
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All Rights Reserved. ©1999 BRK Brands, Inc.
BRK Brands, Inc., 3901 Liberty Street Road, Aurora, IL 60504-8122
Consumer Affairs: Monday-Friday, 7:30am-5pm (Central Time): (800) 323-9005 • Internet: www.firstalert.com
OTHER FEATURES OF 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.
AC powered smoke alarms:
Can be interconnected so if one unit senses smoke, all units alarm. They do not operate
if electricity fails. Units must be installed by a qualified electrician.
AC/DC powered smoke alarms (AC with battery back-up):
Can be interconnected so if one unit senses smoke, all
units alarm. They will operate if electricity fails, provided the batteries are fresh and correctly installed. Units must be
installed by a qualified electrician.
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. They do not operate if
electricity fails. Units must be installed by a qualified electrician.
First Alert
®
smoke alarm model SA100B is an AC
powered unit that has an 85 decibel alarm and a 177 candela strobe light, which flashes rapidly when the unit is in alarm.
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. If you are unsure which type of smoke alarm to install, refer to
Chapter 2 of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Standard 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-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.
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. In existing construction, AC, AC/DC, or DC
powered smoke alarms can be used as specified by local building codes. Refer to NFPA 101 (Life Safety Code) or NFPA
72 (National Fire Alarm 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 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 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.
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 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 them.
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 home.
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 home. 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 “Other Features Of 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,
Smoke Alarm With Silence Feature
Cat. SA87B, SA87C
Smoke Alarm With Silence Feature
and Long-Life Lithium Power
Cat. SA97B, SA97C
Ionization smoke alarms are generally more effective at detecting flaming fires which
consume combustible materials rapidly and spread quickly. Sources of these fires may
include paper burning in a wastebasket, or a grease fire in the kitchen.
Photoelectric smoke alarms are generally more effective at detecting smoldering fires
which smolder for hours before bursting into flame. Sources of these fires may include
cigarettes burning in couches or bedding.
For maximum protection, use both types of smoke alarms on each level of your home.
User’s Manual
M06-2008-005 8/99
Model
SA87B
SA97B
IMPORTANT! PLEASE READ CAREFULLY AND SAVE.
This user’s manual contains important information about your smoke alarm’s operation. If you are installing
this smoke alarm for use by others, you must leave this manual—or a copy of it—with the end user.
