WARNING
Please Read Carefully
System Failures
This system has been carefully designed to be as effective as possible. There are
circumstances, however, involving fire, burglary, or other types of emergencies
where it may not provide protection. Any alarm system of any type may be com-
promised deliberately or may fail to operate as expected for a variety of reasons.
Some but not all of these reasons may be:
■
■
■
■
■
Inadequate Installation
A security system must be installed properly in order to provide adequate pro-
tection. Every installation should be evaluated by a security professional to en-
sure that all access points and areas are covered. Locks and latches on windows
and doors must be secure and operate as intended. Windows, doors, walls, ceil-
ings and other building materials must be of sufficient strength and construction
to provide the level of protection expected. A reevaluation must be done during
and after any construction activity. An evaluation by the fire and/or police de-
partment is highly recommended if this service is available.
■
■
■
■
■
Criminal Knowledge
This system contains security features which were known to be effective at the
time of manufacture. It is possible for persons with criminal intent to develop
techniques which reduce the effectiveness of these features. It is important that
a security system be reviewed periodically to ensure that its features remain
effective and that it be updated or replaced if it is found that it does not provide
the protection expected.
■
■
■
■
■
Access by Intruders
Intruders may enter through an unprotected access point, circumvent a sens-
ing device, evade detection by moving through an area of insufficient cov-
erage, disconnect a warning device, or interfere with or prevent the proper
operation of the system.
■
■
■
■
■
Power Failure
Control units, intrusion detectors, smoke detectors and many other security de-
vices require an adequate power supply for proper operation. If a device oper-
ates from batteries, it is possible for the batteries to fail. Even if the batteries
have not failed, they must be charged, in good condition and installed correctly.
If a device operates only by AC power, any interruption, however brief, will
render that device inoperative while it does not have power. Power interruptions
of any length are often accompanied by voltage fluctuations which may damage
electronic equipment such as a security system. After a power interruption has
occurred, immediately conduct a complete system test to ensure that the system
operates as intended.
■
■
■
■
■
Failure of Replaceable Batteries
This system’s wireless transmitters have been designed to provide several years
of battery life under normal conditions. The expected battery life is a function of
the device environment, usage and type. Ambient conditions such as high hu-
midity, high or low temperatures, or large temperature fluctuations may reduce
the expected battery life. While each transmitting device has a low battery moni-
tor which identifies when the batteries need to be replaced, this monitor may fail
to operate as expected. Regular testing and maintenance will keep the system in
good operating condition.
■
■
■
■
■
Compromise of Radio Frequency (Wireless)
Devices
Signals may not reach the receiver under all circumstances which could
include metal objects placed on or near the radio path or deliberate jam-
ming or other inadvertent radio signal interference.
■
■
■
■
■
System Users
A user may not be able to operate a panic or emergency switch possibly due to
permanent or temporary physical disability, inability to reach the device in time,
or unfamiliarity with the correct operation. It is important that all system users
be trained in the correct operation of the alarm system and that they know how to
respond when the system indicates an alarm.
■
■
■
■
■
Smoke Detectors
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, chil-
dren 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 discrimi-
nate between intruders and intended occupants. Motion detectors do not
provide volumetric area protection. They have multiple beams of detec-
tion and motion can only be detected in unobstructed areas covered by
these beams. They cannot detect motion which occurs behind walls, ceil-
ings, 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 tempera-
ture. However their effectiveness can be reduced when the ambient tem-
perature 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, sun-
light, 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 warn-
ing 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. Au-
dible warning devices may be interfered with by other noise sources such
as stereos, radios, televisions, air conditioners or other appliances, or pass-
ing 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 in-
tended can be found by regular testing and maintenance. The complete sys-
tem 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 construc-
tion activity inside or outside the premises. The testing should include all
sensing devices, keypads, consoles, alarm indicating devices and any other
operational devices that are part of the system.
■
■
■
■
■
Security and Insurance
Regardless of its capabilities, an alarm system is not a substitute for prop-
erty or life insurance. An alarm system also is not a substitute for prop-
erty owners, renters, or other occupants to act prudently to prevent or mini-
mize the harmful effects of an emergency situation.
