better than smoldering fires. Because fires develop in different ways and are often
unpredictable in their growth, both types of detectors are necessarily best and a given
type of detector may not provide adequate warning of a fire. A smoke detector cannot
be expected to provide adequate warning of fires caused by arson, children playing
with matches (especially in bedrooms), smoking in bed, and violent explosions
(caused by escaping gas, improper storage of flammable materials, etc.). Heat
detectors do not sense particles or combustion and alarm only when heat on their
sensors increases at a preset rate or reaches a predetermined level. Rate-of-rise heat
detectors may be subject to reduced sensitivity overtime. For this reason, the rate-of-
rise feature of each detector should be tested at least once per year by a qualified fire
protection expert. Heat detectors are designed to protect property, not life.
IMPORTANT! Smoke detectors must be installed in the same room as the control
panel and in rooms used by the system for the connection of alarm transmission
wiring, communications, signaling, and/or power. If detectors are not located near the
control panel, a developing fire may damage the alarm system, crippling its ability to
report a fire.
Audible warning devices such as bells may not alert people if these devices are
located on the other side of closed or partly open doors or are located on another floor
of a building. Any warning device may fail to alert people with a disability or those
who have recently consumed drugs, alcohol or medication. Please note that:
Strobes can, under certain circumstances, cause seizures in people with
conditions such as epilepsy.
Studies have shown that certain people, even when they hear a fire alarm signal, do
not respond or comprehend the meaning of the signal. It is the property owner’s
responsibility to conduct fire drills and other training exercise to make people aware
of fire alarm signals and instruct them on the proper reaction to alarm signals.
In rare instances, the sounding of a warning device can cause temporary or permanent
hearing loss.
A fire alarm system will not operate without any electrical power. If AC power fails,
the system will operate from standby batteries only for a specified time and only if the
batteries have been properly maintained and replaced regularly.
Equipment used in the system may not be technically compatible with the control. It
is essential to use only equipment listed for service with your control panel.
Telephone lines needed to transmit alarm signals from a premise to a central
monitoring station may be out of service or temporarily disabled. For added
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