Fire Safety In The Home
Most fires occur in the home, and to minimize this danger,
it is recommended that a household fire safety audit be
conducted and a family escape plan be developed.
Household Fire Safety Audit
1 Are all electrical appliances and outlets in safe
condition? Check for frayed cords, overloaded
lighting circuits, etc. If you are uncertain about the
condition of your electrical appliances or household
service, have a professional evaluation.
2 Are all flammable liquids safely stored in closed
containers, and in a cool and well ventilated area?
Cleaning the unit with flammable liquids should be
avoided.
3 Are hazardous materials such as matches out of the
reach of children?
4 Are furnaces and wood burning appliances properly
installed, clean, and in good working order? If in
doubt, have a professional evaluation.
Family Escape Planning
There is often very little time between the detection of a
fire and the time it becomes deadly. Because of this, it
is very important that a family escape plan be developed
and rehearsed.
1 Every family member should participate in developing
the escape plan.
2 Study the possible escape routes from each location
within the house. Since many fires occur at night,
special attention should be given to the escape routes
from sleeping quarters.
3 It is essential that escape from a bedroom be possible
without opening the interior door. Consider the
following when making your escape plans:
• Make sure that doors and windows that open to the outside
are easily opened. Ensure that they are not painted shut
and that the locking mechanisms operate smoothly.
• If opening the exit or using the exit is too difficult for
children, the elderly or handicapped, plans for their
rescue should be developed. This plan includes
making sure that those who are to perform the rescue
can promptly hear the fire warning signal.
• If the exit is above the ground level, an approved fire
ladder or rope should be provided, as well as training
in its use.
• Exits on the ground level should be kept clear. Be sure to
remove snow from exterior patio doors in the winter and
outdoor furniture or equipment should not block exits.
• The family should have a predetermined assembly
point where everyone can be accounted for; for
example, across the street or at a neighbour’s house.
• Once everyone is out of the house, call the Fire
Department.
• A good plan emphasizes a quick escape. Do not
investigate first or attempt to fight the fire, and do not
attempt to rescue belongings or valuables as this
takes up time. Once outside, do not re-enter the
house; wait for the Fire Department.
• Write the plan down and rehearse it frequently so that
should an emergency ever arise, everyone will know
what to do. Revise the plan as conditions change; for
example, when there are more or fewer family members
in the home or if there are changes to the house.
• Make sure your fire warning system is operational by
conducting weekly tests. If you are unsure about system
operation, contact your smoke detector installer or dealer.
• It is recommended that you contact your local Fire
Department and request further information on home
fire safety and escape planning. If available, have
your local fire prevention officer conduct an in-house
fire safety inspection.
Enrolling a WLS906
On the back of the smoke detector housing, there is a
five digit and/or six digit serial number. Please refer to
your receiver installation manual for information on which
serial number should be enrolled.
Installation Instructions
Specifications
• Operating Voltage: 9V (six AA alkaline batteries)
• Smoke Sensitivity: 0.17 - 0.23 db/m
• Ambient Installation Operating Range:
32°F - 100°F / 0°C - 37.8°C
5% - 95% RH, non-condensing
• Field Test: Magnet-activated reed switch or pushbutton
and Gemini 501 Smoke Detector Analyser
Battery Installation
Remove the mounting plate from the detector by pushing
the locking tab and turning the mounting plate counter-
clockwise.
Hold the unit with the battery compartment facing you,
and the imprinted wording right-side up. Install the first
two batteries in the row nearest to you, with the +
terminals facing left. Next, install the middle two
batteries with the + terminals facing to the right. Place
your thumb over the centre of these four batteries to
keep them in place. Install the last two batteries, with
their + terminals facing to the left, by snapping them
past the nylon retainer.
Use six AA Alkaline Energizer E91 or Duracell MN1500
batteries. Do not use other brands of batteries for the
smoke detector. Using brands other than the
Energizer E91 or Duracell MN1500 may affect the
operation of the system. Replacement batteries may
be purchased in supermarkets and hardware stores.
Guidelines for Locating Smoke Detectors
On smooth ceilings, detectors may be spaced 9.1m (30
feet) apart as a guide. Other spacing may be required
depending on ceiling height, air movement, the presence
of joists and uninsulated ceilings. Consult appropriate
national standards for installation recommendations.
• Do not locate smoke detectors at the top of peaked or
gabled ceilings; the dead air space in these locations
may prevent the unit from detecting smoke.
• Avoid areas with turbulent air flow, such as near
doors, fans or windows. Rapid air movement around
the detector may prevent smoke from entering the
unit.
• Do not locate detectors in areas of high humidity.
• Do not locate detectors in areas where the temperature
rises above 38
o
C (100
o
F) or falls below 5
o
C (41
o
F).
Bedroom
Bedroom
Bedroom
Living Room
Kitchen
Bedroom
Bedroom
Basement
Living
Room
Dining
Room
Testing Your Smoke Detector
Follow the test procedure described here or contact
your smoke detector dealer or installer for testing
instructions.
It is recommended that your entire alarm system be
tested at least once a week to verify the operation of
all system functions.
Smoke Detector Unit Test
To test the smoke detector, press and hold the test
button on the front of the unit. When the button is
pressed, the unit’s alarm should sound. When the button
is released, the alarm should cease. If this does not
occur, check that the batteries are the correct type, in
good condition and are installed correctly (see the
‘Battery Installation’ section below).
Upon completing the functional testing of the smoke
detector, check the unit’s sensing chamber to ensure
proper operation. To test the sensing chamber, waft a
lit cotton wick or punk stick around the outside of the
unit until a generous amount of smoke enters the
sensing chamber or the unit alarms. If the smoke
detector does not function properly, call your smoke
detector installer or dealer for service.
System Test
To prepare your alarm system for a complete test, refer to
the testing instructions section of your system’s manual.
Observe carefully all instructions regarding
notification of the monitoring station in order to avoid
an unnecessary emergency response.
When the system
is ready to be tested, hold the test magnet against the
smoke detector case as shown below. After activating
the smoke detector’s system test, an alarm should
sound and the LED indicator light should flash every
0.67 seconds. When the magnet is removed, the alarm
should cease.
See your system manual for further
instructions regarding completion of the alarm
system test.
Owner’s Maintenance Instructions
The Meridian smoke detector is designed to require
minimum maintenance. If the case becomes dusty, then
wipe the case gently with a soft dry cloth. If the case is
greasy, wipe the case gently with a soft cloth slightly
dampened with soapy water.
Never disassemble the smoke detector; there are no
user serviceable parts inside the unit. Never paint
the unit, as paint may prevent smoke from entering
the unit. If you are planning renovations or repainting,
contact your installer and ask that the unit be
temporarily removed until work is complete.
If the unit is located in an area where it is exposed to
high levels of dust or insects and causes false alarms,
it may require service; contact your smoke detector
installer or dealer.
