Smoke detectors that are a part of this system may not properly alert occupants of a fire for a
number of reasons, some of which follow. The smoke detectors may have been improperly installed
or positioned. Smoke may not be able to reach the smoke detectors, such as when the fire is in
a chimney, walls or roofs, or on the other side of closed doors. Smoke detectors may not detect
smoke from fires on another level of the residence or building.
Every fire is different in the amount of smoke produced and the rate of burning. Smoke detectors
cannot sense all types of fires equally well. Smoke detectors may not provide timely warning of
fires caused by carelessness or safety hazards such as smoking in bed, violent explosions, escaping
gas, improper storage of flammable materials, overloaded electrical circuits, children playing with
matches or arson.
Even if the smoke detector operates as intended, there may be circumstances when there is
insufficient warning to allow all occupants to escape in time to avoid injury or death.
Motion Detectors
Motion detectors can only detect motion within the designated areas as shown in their respective
installation instructions. They cannot discriminate between intruders and intended occupants.
Motion detectors do not provide volumetric area protection. They have multiple beams of detection
and motion can only be detected in unobstructed areas covered by these beams. They cannot
detect motion which occurs behind walls, ceilings, floor, closed doors, glass partitions, glass doors
or windows. Any type of tampering whether intentional or unintentional such as masking, painting,
or spraying of any material on the lenses, mirrors, windows or any other part of the detection
system will impair its proper operation.
Passive infrared motion detectors operate by sensing changes in temperature. However their
effectiveness can be reduced when the ambient temperature rises near or above body temperature
or if there are intentional or unintentional sources of heat in or near the detection area. Some of
these heat sources could be heaters, radiators, stoves, barbeques, fireplaces, sunlight, steam vents,
lighting and so on.
Warning Devices
Warning devices such as sirens, bells, horns, or strobes may not warn people or waken someone
sleeping if there is an intervening wall or door. If warning devices are located on a different level
of the residence or premise, then it is less likely that the occupants will be alerted or awakened.
Audible warning devices may be interfered with by other noise sources such as stereos, radios,
televisions, air conditioners or other appliances, or passing traffic. Audible warning devices,
however loud, may not be heard by a hearing-impaired person.
Telephone Lines
If telephone lines are used to transmit alarms, they may be out of service or busy for certain
periods of time. Also an intruder may cut the telephone line or defeat its operation by more
sophisticated means which may be difficult to detect.
Insufficient Time
There may be circumstances when the system will operate as intended, yet the occupants will
not be protected from the emergency due to their inability to respond to the warnings in a timely
manner. If the system is monitored, the response may not occur in time to protect the occupants or
their belongings.
Component Failure
Although every effort has been made to make this system as reliable as possible, the system may
fail to function as intended due to the failure of a component.
Inadequate Testing
Most problems that would prevent an alarm system from operating as intended can be found by
regular testing and maintenance. The complete system should be tested weekly and immediately
after a break-in, an attempted break-in, a fire, a storm, an earthquake, an accident, or any kind of
PowerSeries Neo HS2016/HS2016-4/HS3032/HS2064/HS2064 E/HS2128/HS2129 E Alarm Controller Reference
Manual
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