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. Current studies have shown smoke alarms may not awaken all sleeping
individuals, and that it is the responsibility of individuals in the household that are capable of assisting others to provide
assistance to those who may not be awakened by the alarm sound, or to those who may be incapable of safely evacuating
the area unassisted.
• 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 a power station, electrical fire
that burns the electrical wires, ect.). If you are concerned about the limitations of battery or AC power, install both types of
units.
• Smoke Alarms cannon 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
the 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 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 conditioners 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 back of the unit.
• Smoke Alarm transmitter limitations. Radio signals transmitted by this smoke alarm may be blocked or reflected by metal
objects. Adjacent devices or systems using radio signals may interfere with the operation of this alarm. Test the system
weekly to ensure signals are transmitted and received properly.
TIPS TO ENHANCE YOUR PROTECTION FROM FIRES
Putting up smoke alarms is only one step in protecting your family from fires. You must also reduce the chances that fires
will start in your home. You must also increase your chances of escaping safely if one does start. To have a good fire
safety program you must apply the following tips to enhance your family's protection from fires.
• Install Smoke Alarms properly. Carefully follow all the instructions in this manual. Keep your smoke alarm clean, and
test them every week.
• Remember that Smoke Alarms that do not work will not alert you. Replace your Smoke Alarms immediately if they are
not working properly.
• Follow fire safety rules, and prevent hazardous situations: ◦ Use smoking materials properly. Never smoke in bed. ◦ Keep
matches and cigarette lighters away from children. ◦ Store flammable materials in proper containers. Never use them near
open flame or sparks. ◦ Keep electrical appliances in good condition. Do not overload electrical circuits. ◦ Keep stoves,
fireplaces, chimneys, and barbecue grills grease free. Make sure they are properly installed and away from any
combustible materials. ◦ Keep portable heaters and open flames such as candles away from combustible materials. ◦ Do
not allow rubbish to accumulate. ◦ Keep a supply of extra batteries on hand for your battery powered Smoke Alarms.
• Develop a family escape plan and practice it with your entire family. Be sure to include small children in your practice.
• Draw a floor plan of your home, and find two ways to exit from each room. There should be one way to get out of each
bedroom without opening the door.
• Explain to children what the Smoke Alarm's alarm signal means. Teach them that they must be prepared to leave the
home by themselves if necessary. Show them how to check to see if doors are hot before opening them. Show them how
to stay close to the floor and crawl if necessary. Show them how to use alternate exit if the door is hot and should not be
opened.
• Decide on a meeting place which has a safe distance from your house. Make sure that all your children understand that
they should go and wait for you there if there is a fire.
• Hold fire drills at least every 6 months to make sure that everyone, even small children, knows what to do to escape
safely.
• Know where to go to call the Fire Department from outside your home.
Provide emergency equipment, such as fire
extinguishers, and teach your family to use this equipment properly.
TIPS TO FACE A FIRE IN YOUR HOME
If you have made a family escape plan and practiced it with your family, you have increased their chances of escaping safely. Go over
the following rules with your children each time you have fire drills. This will help everyone remember them in case of a real fire
emergency.
• Don't panic and stay calm. Your safe escape may depend on thinking clearly and remembering what you have practiced.
• Get out of the house as quickly as possible. Follow a planned escape route. Do not stop to collect anything or to get dressed.
• Feel the doors to see if they are hot. If they are not, open them carefully. Do not open a door if it is hot. Use an alternate escape
route.
• Stay close to the floor. Smoke and hot gases rise.
• Cover your nose and mouth with a wet or damp cloth. Take a short, shallow breaths.
• Keep door and windows closed. Open them only if you have to in order to escape.
• Meet at your planned meeting place after leaving the house.
• Call the Fire Department as soon as possible from outside your house. Give the address and your name.
• Never go back inside a burning building. Contact your local Fire Department. They will give you more ideas about how to make your
home safer from fires and how to plan your family's escape.
AGENCY PLACEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS
NFPA 72 Chapter 29 Smoke alarms should be installed in accordance with the NFPA Standard 72 (National Fire Protection Association,
Batterymarch Part, Quincy, MA 02269) For your information, the National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code, NFPA 72 reads as follows.
“29.5.1* Required Detection.” “29.5.1.1* Where required by other governing laws, codes, or standards for a specific type of occupancy,
approved single and multiple-station smoke alarms shall be installed as follows: (1)*In all sleeping rooms and guest rooms (2)*Outside of
each separate dwelling unit sleeping area, within 21 ft (6.4 m) of any door to a sleeping room, with the distance measured along a path
of travel (3) On every level of a dwelling unit, including basements (4) On every level of a residential board and care occupancy (small
facility), including basements and excluding crawl spaces and unfinished attics (5)*In the living area(s) of a guest suite (6) In the living
area(s) of a residential board and care occupancy (small facility) “
(Reprinted with permission from NFPA 72®, National Fire Alarm & Signaling Code Copyright © 2013 National Fire Protection
Association, Quincy, MA 02269. This reprinted material is not the complete and official position of the National Fire Protection
Association, on the referenced subject which is represented only by the standards in its entirety.) (National Fire Alarm & Signaling Code
® and NFPA 72 ® are registered trademarks of the National Fire Protection Association, Inc., Quincy, MA 02269.)
California State Fire Marshal (CSFM) As stated by the California State Fire Marshal “Early warning detection is best achieved by the
installation of fire detection equipment in all rooms and areas of the household as follows: A Smoke Alarm installed in each separate
sleeping area (in the vicinity of, but outside of the bedrooms), and heat or smoke detectors in the living rooms, dining rooms, bedrooms,
kitchens, hallways, attics, furnace rooms, closets, utility and storage rooms, basements and attached garages”
NOTE Specific requirements for Smoke Alarm installation vary from state to state and from region to region. Check with your local Fire
Department for current requirements in your area.
SPECIAL COMPLIANCE CONSIDERATIONS
This smoke alarm is designed for use in a single residential unit only, which means it should be used inside a single family home or
apartment. It is not meant to be used in common areas like lobbies, hallways, or another apartment in a multi-family building, unless
there are already working alarms in each family unit. Smoke alarms placed in common areas outside of the individual living unit, such as
on porches or in hallways, may not provide early warning to residents. In multi-family buildings each family living unit should setup its
own smoke alarms.
This alarm is not meant to be used in non-residential buildings. Warehouses, industrial or commercial buildings, and special purpose
non-residential buildings require special fire detection and alarm systems. This smoke alarm alone is not a suitable substitute for
complete fire detection systems for places where many people live or work, such as hotels or motels. The same is true of dormitories,
hospitals, nursing homes or group homes of any kind, even if they were once single family homes.
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”.
NOTICES
Warranty Resolution Products, Inc. will replace products that are defective in their first five (5) years.
FCC Notice This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: This device may
not cause harmful interference. This device must accept any interference that may be received, including interference that may cause
undesired operation.
