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12.5
Smoke alarms must be tested regularly to ensure that the batteries and alarm
circuit are in good operating condition.
12.6
Smoke alarms cannot provide an alarm if smoke does not reach the alarm.
Therefore, smoke alarm may not sense fires starting in chimneys, walls, on
roofs, on the other side of a closed door, or on a different floor.
12.7
If the alarm is located outside the bedrooms, or on a different floor, it may
not wake up a sound sleeper. A smoke alarm in the bedroom, therefore, is
recommended.
12.8
Smoke alarms have been significant in saving lives in many parts of the
world. However, U.S. Government research indicates that they may not give
early enough warning in up to 35% of fires. Hence, the use of this product
does not substitute for basic prevention and total protection.
12.9
Although smoke alarms can help save lives by providing early warnings of a
fire, they are not a substitute for an insurance policy.
12.10
This smoke alarm alone will not alert the hearing impaired. Use special
purpose smoke alarm with lights or vibrating devices, for those hard of hearing.
12.11
Heat alarms are available to offer greater security when used in conjunction
with smoke alarms.
12.12
Life safety from fire in residential occupancies is based primarily on early
notification to occupants of the need to escape, followed by the appropriate
egress actions by those occupants. Fire warning systems for dwelling units
are capable of protecting about half of the occupants in potentially fatal
fires. Victims are often intimate with the fire, too old or young, or physically
or mentally impaired such that they cannot escape even when warned early
enough that escape should be possible. For these people, other strategies such
as protection-in-place or assisted escape or rescue are necessary.
12.
THE LIMITATIONS OF SMOKE ALARMS
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