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14. Limitations Of Smoke Alarms
Ionisation sensing alarms may detect invisible fire particles (associated
with fast flaming fires) sooner than photoelectric alarms. Photoelectric
sensing alarms may detect visible fire particles (associated with slow
smouldering fires) sooner than ionisation alarms.
Home fires develop in different ways and are often unpredictable.
For maximum protection, subject to applicable legal requirements in
each State and Territory, Quell recommends that both ionisation and
photoelectric alarms be installed.
Loose batteries, where fitted, must be of the specified type, in good
condition and installed properly. AC only powered alarms will not operate
if AC power has been cut off such as by an electrical fire, an open fuse
or loss of mains supply. All alarms must be tested regularly to make sure
the batteries and the alarm circuits are in good operating condition.
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. If the alarm is located
outside the sleeping room or on a different floor, it may not wake up a
sound sleeper. The use of alcohol or drugs may also impair one’s ability
to hear the smoke alarm. For maximum protection, a smoke alarm
should be installed in each sleeping area on every level of a home.
Smoke alarms cannot provide an alarm if smoke does not reach the
unit. Therefore, smoke alarms may not sense fires starting in chimneys,
walls, on roofs, on the other side of a closed door or on a different
floor. Hearing impaired occupiers should consider fitting additional
accessories to give a visual or tactile(Vibrating pad) alarm.
Although smoke alarms can help save lives by providing an early
warning of a fire, they do not prevent property damage. Home owners
and renters should have adequate insurance to protect their property.
If after reviewing this user guide you feel that your smoke alarm is
defective in any way,do not tamper with the unit. Refer to Section 17
Warranty and Contact Details.
Warning! Smoke alarms are devices that can provide
early warning of possible fires; however, alarms have sensing
limitations.
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