2
nursing homes, and group homes. This is true even if they were once
single family homes.
However, this smoke alarm MAY be used
inside individual rooms as SUPPLEMENTAL protection.
•
Install a smoke alarm in every room and on every level of the
home.
Smoke may not reach the smoke alarm for many reasons. For
example, if a fire starts in a remote part of the home, on another
level, in a chimney, wall, roof, or on the other side of a closed door,
smoke may not reach the smoke alarm in time to alert household
members. A smoke alarm will not promptly detect a fire EXCEPT in
the area or room in which it is installed.
•
Interconnected smoke alarms installed in every room and on
every level of the household offers maximum protection.
The
National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) recommends interconnecting
smoke alarms so that when one smoke alarm senses smoke and
sounds its alarm, all others will sound as well. Do not interconnect
smoke alarms from one individual family living unit to another. Do not
connect this smoke alarm to any other type of alarm or auxiliary device.
•
Smoke alarms may not alert every household member every
time.
There may be limiting circumstances where a household
member may not hear the alarm (e.g., outdoor or indoor noise,
sound sleepers, drug or alcohol usage, the hard of hearing, etc.). If
you suspect that this smoke alarm may not alert a household mem-
ber, install and maintain specialty smoke alarms. Current studies
have shown smoke alarms may not awaken all sleeping individuals,
and that it is the responsibility of individuals in the household that
are capable of assisting others to provide assistance to those who
may not be awakened by the alarm sound, or to those who may be
incapable of safely evacuating the area unassisted.
•
Smoke alarms must not be used with detector guards
unless
the combination of alarm and guard has been evaluated and found
suitable for that purpose.
•
Smoke alarms can only sound their alarms when they detect
smoke.
Smoke alarms detect combustion particles in the air. They
do not sense heat, flame, or gas. This smoke alarm is designed to
give audible warning of a developing fire. However, many fires are
fast-burning, explosive, or intentional. Others are caused by care-
lessness or safety hazards. Smoke may not reach the smoke alarm
QUICKLY ENOUGH to ensure safe escape.
•
Smoke alarms have limitations.
This smoke alarm is not fool-
proof and is not warranted to protect lives or property from fire.
Smoke alarms are not a substitute for insurance. Homeowners and
renters should insure their life and property. In addition, it is possi-
ble for the smoke alarm to fail at any time.
For this reason, you
must test the smoke alarm weekly and replace every 10 years.
SMOKE ALARM PLACEMENT
Invensys Controls Americas recommends complete coverage pro-
tection achieved by installing a smoke alarm in every room of your
home. The National Fire Protection Association’s (NFPA) minimum
requirement, as stated in Standard 72, Chapter 2, reads as follows:
“2-2.1.1.1 Smoke detectors shall be
installed outside of each separate sleep-
ing area in the immediate vicinity of the
bedrooms and on each additional story of
the family living unit including basements
and excluding crawl spaces and unfin-
ished attics. In new construction a smoke detector
also shall be installed in each sleeping room.”
Chapter 2, also reads as follows:
“2-2.2.1 In new construction, where more than
one smoke detector is required by 2-2.1, they
shall be so arranged that operation of any smoke
detector shall cause the alarm in all smoke detec-
tors within the dwelling to sound.”
The NFPA, 1993 Edition, Appendix
A further states:
“The required number of smoke
detectors may not provide reliable
early warning protection for those areas separated by a door from
the areas protected by the required smoke detectors. For this rea-
son, it is recommended that the householder consider the use of
additional smoke detectors for those areas for increased protec-
tion. The additional areas include: basement, bedrooms, dining
room, furnace room, utility room, and hallways not protected by
the required smoke detectors.”
Also, as required by the California State Fire Marshal:
“Early warning fire detection is best achieved by the installation of
fire detection equipment in all rooms and areas of the household
as follows: A smoke detector installed in each separate sleeping
area (in the vicinity, but outside the bedrooms), and heat or
smoke detectors in the living rooms, dining rooms, bedrooms,
kitchens, hallways, attics, furnace rooms, closets, utility and
storage rooms, basements and attached garages.”
TV ROOM
DINING
ROOM
KITCHEN
BEDROOM
BEDROOM
BEDROOM
LIVING ROOM
KITCHEN
DINING
ROOM
BEDROOM
BEDROOM
BEDROOM
LIVING ROOM
BEDROOM
BEDROOM
LIVING
ROOM
DINING
ROOM
BASEMENT
HALL
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