WARNING
Please Read Carefully
Note to Installers
This warning contains vital information. As the only individual in contact
with system users, it is your responsibility to bring each item in this warn-
ing to the attention of the users of this system.
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 compromised deliberately or may fail to
operate as expected for a variety of reasons. Some but not all of these
reasons may be:
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Inadequate Installation
A security system must be installed properly in order to provide ad-
equate protection. Every installation should be evaluated by a security
professional to ensure 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, ceilings and other building mate-
rials 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
department is highly recommended if this service is available.
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Criminal Knowledge
This system contains security features which were known to be effec-
tive 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.
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Access by Intruders
Intruders may enter through an unprotected access point, circumvent
a sensing device, evade detection by moving through an area of insuf-
ficient coverage, disconnect a warning device, or interfere with or
prevent the proper operation of the system.
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Power Failure
Control units, intrusion detectors, smoke detectors and many other
security devices require an adequate power supply for proper opera-
tion. If a device operates 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 inop-
erative 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 inter-
ruption has occurred, immediately conduct a complete system test to
ensure that the system operates as intended.
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Failure of Replaceable Batteries
This system’s wireless transmitters have been designed to provide sev-
eral years of battery life under normal conditions. The expected bat-
tery life is a function of the device environment, usage and type. Am-
bient conditions such as high humidity, high or low temperatures, or
large temperature fluctuations may reduce the expected battery life.
While each transmitting device has a low battery monitor which iden-
tifies 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.
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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.
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System Users
A user may not be able to operate a panic or emergency switch possi-
bly 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.
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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 flam-
mable materials, overloaded electrical circuits, children playing
with matches or arson.
Even if the smoke detector operates as intended, there may be cir-
cumstances when there is insufficient warning to allow all occu-
pants to escape in time to avoid injury or death.
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Motion Detectors
Motion detectors can only detect motion within the designated ar-
eas as shown in their respective installation instructions. They can-
not discriminate between intruders and intended occupants. Mo-
tion 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, radia-
tors, stoves, barbeques, fireplaces, sunlight, steam vents, lighting
and so on.
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Warning Devices
Warning devices such as sirens, bells, horns, or strobes may not
warn people or waken someone sleeping if there is an interven-
ing 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 pass-
ing traffic. Audible warning devices, however loud, may not be
heard by a hearing-impaired person.
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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.
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Insufficient Time
There may be circumstances when the system will operate as in-
tended, yet the occupants will not be protected from the emer-
gency 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.
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Component Failure
Although every effort has been made to make this system as reli-
able as possible, the system may fail to function as intended due
to the failure of a component.
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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 construction activity inside or outside the
premises. The testing should include all sensing devices, keypads,
consoles, alarm indicating devices and any other operational de-
vices that are part of the system.
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Security and Insurance
Regardless of its capabilities, an alarm system is not a substitute
for property or life insurance. An alarm system also is not a sub-
stitute for property owners, renters, or other occupants to act pru-
dently to prevent or minimize the harmful effects of an emer-
gency situation.