NAPCO GEM-RP8LCD, Operating Manual

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13
F I R E P R O T E C T I O N
Although a fire alarm system may be of a
reliable and state-of- the-art design, neither it
nor its peripheral detection devices can offer
guaranteed protection against fire. Any such
equipment may fail to warn for a variety of
reasons:
Control panels, communicators, dialers,
smoke detectors, and many other sensing
devices will not work without power.
Battery- operated devices will not work
without batteries, with dead batteries, or
with improperly-installed batteries.
Devices powered solely by AC will not
work if their power source is cut off for any
reason.
Fires often cause a failure of electrical
power. If the system does not contain a
working battery backup power supply, and
if the electrical circuit feeding the devices
is cut or is not providing power for any
reason, the system will not detect heat or
smoke or provide any warning of a
possible fire.
Telephone lines needed to transmit alarm
signals to a central monitoring station may
be out of service.
Smoke detectors, though highly effective in
reducing fire deaths, may not activate or
provide early-enough warning for a variety
of reasons: (a) they may not sense fires
that start where smoke cannot reach them,
such as in chimneys, walls, roofs, behind
closed doors, etc.; (b) they may not sense
a fire on a different level of the residence
or building; (c) they have sensing
limitations; no smoke detector can sense
every kind of fire every time.
Thermostatic heat detectors do not always
detect fires because the fire may be a slow
smoldering low-heat type (producing
smoke); because they may not be near the
fire; or because the heat of the fire may
bypass them. These detectors will not
detect oxygen levels, smoke, toxic gases,
or flames. Therefore, they may only be
used as part of a comprehensive fire-
detection system in conjunction with other
devices. Under no circumstances should
thermostatic heat detectors be relied upon
as the sole measure to ensure fire safety.
Alarm warning devices such as sirens, bells,
or horns may not alert someone behind a
closed or partially-opened door. Warning
devices located on one level are less likely
to alert those on a different level. Even
those who are awake may not hear the
warning if the alarm is obscured by noise
from a stereo, radio, air conditioner, or
other appliance, or by passing traffic, etc.
Alarm warning devices, however loud, may
fail to warn the hearing impaired.
Alarm products, as all electrical devices, are
subject to component failure. Even though
the equipment is designed for many years
of trouble-free performance, electronic
components could fail at any time.
Above are some of the reasons that fire
alarm equipment could fail. The most
common cause of an alarm system not
functioning when a fire occurs is
inadequate testing and maintenance. The
system should be tested at least weekly to
ensure that all the equipment is working
properly.
While an alarm system may make one
eligible for lower insurance rates, it is not a
substitute for insurance. Homeowners,
property owners, and renters are therefore
urged to maintain adequate insurance
coverage of life and property.
LIMITATIONS OF FIRE ALARM WARNING SYSTEM