WARNING: Installer please read
carefully
Note to Installers
The warningson thispage contain vitalinformation. Asthe onlyindividualin con-
tact with systemusers, it isthe installer’sresponsibilityto bring each itemin this
warning to the attention of allusersof thissystem.
System Failures
Thissystemhasbeen carefullydesigned to be aseffective aspossible. There are
circumstances, however, involving fire, burglary, or other typesof emergencies
where it maynot provide protection. Anyalarmsystemof anytype maybe com-
promised deliberatelyor mayfailto operate asexpected for a varietyof reasons.
Some, but not all, of the reasonsmaybe:
Access by Intruders
Intrudersmayenter through an unprotected accesspoint, circumvent a sensing
device, evade detection bymoving through an area of insufficient coverage, dis-
connect a warning device, or interfere with or prevent the proper operation of the
system.
Component Failure
Although everyeffort hasbeen made to make thissystemasreliable aspossible,
the systemmayfailto function asintended due to the failure of a component.
Compromise of Radio Frequency (Wireless) Devices
Signalsmaynot reach the receiver under allcircumstanceswhich could include
metalobjectsplaced on or near the radio path or deliberate jamming or other inad-
vertent radio signalinterference.
Criminal Knowledge
Thissystemcontainssecurityfeatureswhich were known to be effective at the
time of manufacture. It ispossible for personswith criminalintent to develop tech-
niqueswhich reduce the effectivenessof these features. It isimportant that the
securitysystembe reviewed periodicallyto ensure that itsfeaturesremain effect-
ive and that it isupdated or replaced if it isfound that it doesnot provide the pro-
tection expected.
Failure of Replaceable Batteries
Thissystem’swirelesstransmittershave been designed to provide severalyears
of batterylife under normalconditions. The expected batterylife isa function of
the device environment, usage, and type. Ambient conditionssuch ashigh humid-
ity, high or low temperatures, or large temperature fluctuationsmayreduce the
expected batterylife. While each transmitting device hasa low batterymonitor
which identifieswhen the batteriesneed to be replaced, thismonitor mayfailto
operate asexpected. Regular testing and maintenance willkeep the systemin
good operating condition.
Inadequate Installation
Asecuritysystemmust be installed properlyin order to provide adequate pro-
tection. Everyinstallation should be evaluated bya securityprofessionalto
ensure that allaccesspointsand areasare covered. Locksand latcheson win-
dowsand doorsmust be secure and operate asintended. Windows, doors,
walls, ceilingsand other building materialsmust be of sufficient strength and con-
struction to provide the levelof protection expected. Areevaluation must be done
during and after anyconstruction activity. An evaluation bythe fire and/or police
department ishighlyrecommended if thisservice isavailable.
Inadequate Testing
Most problemsthat would prevent an alarmsystemfromoperating asintended
can be found byregular testing and maintenance. The complete systemshould
be tested weeklyand immediatelyafter a break-in, an attempted break-in, a fire,
a storm, an earthquake, an accident, or anykind of construction activityinside or
outside the premises. The testing should include allsensing devices, keypads,
consoles, alarmindicating devices, and anyother operationaldevicesthat are
part of the system.
Insufficient Time
There maybe circumstanceswhen the systemwilloperate asintended, yet the
occupantswillnot be protected froman emergencydue to their inabilityto
respond to the warningsin a timelymanner. If the systemisremotelymonitored,
the response maynot occur in time to protect the occupantsor their belongings.
Motion Detectors
Motion detectorscan onlydetect motion within the designated areasasshown in
their respective installation instructions. Theycannot discriminate between
intrudersand intended occupants. Motion detectorsdo not provide volumetric
area protection. Theyhave multiple beamsof detection and motion can onlybe
detected in unobstructed areascovered bythese beams. Theycannot detect
motion which occursbehind walls, ceilings, floor, closed doors, glasspartitions,
glassdoorsor windows. Anytype of tampering whether intentionalor unin-
tentionalsuch asmasking, painting, or spraying of anymaterialon the lenses, mir-
rors, windowsor anyother part of the detection systemwillimpair itsproper
operation.
Passive infrared motion detectorsoperate bysensing changesin temperature.
However their effectivenesscan be reduced when the ambient temperature
risesnear or above bodytemperature or if there are intentionalor unintentional
sourcesof heat in or near the detection area. Some of these heat sourcescould
be heaters, radiators, stoves, barbecues, fireplaces, sunlight, steamvents, light-
ing and so on.
Power Failure
Controlunits, intrusion detectors, smoke detectorsand manyother security
devicesrequire an adequate power supplyfor proper operation. If a device oper-
atesfrombatteries, it ispossible for the batteriesto fail. Even if the batterieshave
not failed, theymust be charged, in good condition and installed correctly. If a
device operatesonlybyAC power, anyinterruption, however brief, willrender
that device inoperative while it doesnot have power. Power interruptionsof any
length are often accompanied byvoltage fluctuationswhich maydamage elec-
tronicequipment such asa securitysystem. After a power interruption has
occurred, immediatelyconduct a complete systemtest to ensure that the system
operatesasintended.
Security and Insurance
Regardlessof itscapabilities, an alarmsystemisnot a substitute for propertyor life
insurance. An alarmsystemalso isnot a substitute for propertyowners, renters, or
other occupantsto act prudentlyto prevent or minimize the harmfuleffectsof an
emergencysituation.
Smoke Detectors
Smoke detectorsthat are a part of thissystemmaynot properlyalert occupantsof
a fire for a number of reasons, some of which follow. The smoke detectorsmay
have been improperlyinstalled or positioned. Smoke maynot be able to reach the
smoke detectors, such aswhen the fire isin a chimney, wallsor roofs, or on the
other side of closed doors. Smoke detectorsmaynot detect smoke fromfireson
another levelof the residence or building.
Everyfire isdifferent in the amount of smoke produced and the rate of burning.
Smoke detectorscannot sense alltypesof firesequallywell. Smoke detectorsmay
not provide timelywarning of firescaused bycarelessnessor safetyhazardssuch
assmoking in bed, violent explosions, escaping gas, improper storage of flam-
mable materials, overloaded electricalcircuits, children playing with matches, or
arson.
Even if the smoke detector operatesasintended, there maybe circumstances
when there isinsufficient warning to allow alloccupantsto escape in time to avoid
injuryor death.
Telephone Lines
If telephone linesare used to transmit alarms, theymaybe out of service or busy
for certain periodsof time. Also an intruder maycut the telephone line or defeat its
operation bymore sophisticated meanswhich maybe difficult to detect.
Warning Devices
Warning devicessuch assirens, bells, horns, or strobesmaynot warn people or
waken someone sleeping if there isan intervening wallor door. If warning devices
are located on a different levelof the residence or premise, then it islesslikelythat
the occupantswillbe alerted or awakened. Audible warning devicesmaybe
interfered with byother noise sourcessuch asstereos, radios, televisions, air con-
ditioners, other appliances, or passing traffic. Audible warning devices, however
loud, maynot be heard bya hearing-impaired person.
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