PowerSeries Pro Installation Guide
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:
Inadequate Installation
A security system must be installed properly in order to provide adequate
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 materials 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.
Criminal Knowledge
This system contains security features which were known to be effective 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.
Access by Intruders
Intruders may enter through an unprotected access point, circumvent a
sensing device, evade detection by moving through an area of insufficient
coverage, disconnect a warning device, or interfere with or prevent the
proper operation of the system.
Power Failure
Control units, intrusion detectors, smoke detectors and many other security
devices require an adequate power supply for proper operation. 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 inoperative 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 interruption has
occurred, immediately conduct a complete system test to ensure that the
system operates as intended.
Failure of Replaceable Batteries
This system’s wireless transmitters have been designed to provide several
years of battery life under normal conditions. The expected battery life is a
function of the device environment, usage and type. Ambient 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 identifies 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.
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
jamming or other inadvertent radio signal interference.
System Users
A user may not be able to operate a panic or emergency switch possibly
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.
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 flammable materials, overloaded
electrical circuits, children playing with matches or arson.
Even if the smoke detector operates as intended, there may be
circumstances when there is insufficient warning to allow all occupants to
escape in time to avoid injury or death.
Motion Detectors
Motion detectors can only detect motion within the designated areas as
shown in their respective installation instructions. They cannot
discriminate between intruders and intended occupants. Motion 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, radiators, stoves, barbeques, fireplaces,
sunlight, steam vents, lighting and so on.
Warning Devices
Warning devices such as sirens, bells, horns, or strobes may not warn
people or waken someone sleeping if there is an intervening 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 passing traffic. Audible warning devices, however loud,
may not be heard by a hearing-impaired person.
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.
Insufficient Time
There may be circumstances when the system will operate as intended, yet
the occupants will not be protected from the emergency 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.
Component Failure
Although every effort has been made to make this system as reliable as
possible, the system may fail to function as intended due to the failure of a
component.
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