User Manual

Introduction 151274-L8
1-5
falsely alarm. If the location of a smoke detector causes an abundance of false alarms or nuisance alarms, do
not disconnect the smoke detector; call a professional to analyze the situation and recommend a solution.
• Smoke detectors cannot be expected to provide adequate warning of fires caused by arson, children playing
with matches (especially within bedrooms), smoking in bed, violent explosions (caused by escaping gas,
improper storage of flammable materials, etc.).
• Heat detectors do not sense particles of combustion and are designed to alarm only when heat on their
sensors increases at a predetermined rate or reaches a predetermined level. Heat detectors are designed to
protect property, not life.
• Warning devices (including horns, sirens, and bells) may not alert people or wake up sleepers who are
located on the other side of closed or partially open doors. A warning device that activates on a different
floor or level of a dwelling or structure is less likely to awaken or alert people. Even persons who are awake
may not notice the warning if the alarm is muffled by noise from a stereo, radio, air conditioner or other
appliance, or by passing traffic. Audible warning devices may not alert the hearing-impaired (strobes or
other devices should be provided to warn these people). Any warning device may fail to alert people with a
disability, deep sleepers, people who have recently used alcohol or drugs, or people on medication or
sleeping pills.
Please note that:
i) Strobes can, under certain circumstances, cause seizures in people with conditions such as epilepsy.
ii) Studies have shown that certain people, even when they hear a fire alarm signal, do not respond or com-
prehend the meaning of the signal. It is the property owner’s responsibility to conduct fire drills and
other training exercises to make people aware of fire alarm signals and instruct on the proper reaction to
alarm signals.
iii) In rare instances, the sounding of a warning device can cause temporary or permanent hearing loss.
• Telephone lines needed to transmit alarm signals from a premises to a central station may be out of service
or temporarily out of service. For added protection against telephone line failure, backup radio transmission
systems are recommended.
• System components, though designed to last many years, can fail at any time. As a precautionary measure, it
is recommended that smoke detectors be checked, maintained, and replaced per manufacturer’s
recommendations.
• System components will not work without electrical power. If system batteries are not serviced or replaced
regularly, they may not provide battery backup when AC power fails.
• Environments with high air velocity or that are dusty or dirty require more frequent maintenance.
In general, fire alarm systems and devices will not work without power and will not function properly unless they
are maintained and tested regularly.
While installing a fire alarm system may make the owner eligible for a lower insurance rate, an alarm system is
not a substitute for insurance. Property owners should continue to act prudently in protecting the premises and
the people in their premises and should properly insure life and property and buy sufficient amounts of liability
insurance to meet their needs.
Requirements and recommendations for proper use of fire alarm systems in-
cluding smoke detectors and other fire alarm devices:
Early fire detection is best achieved by the installation and maintenance of fire detection equipment in all rooms
and areas of the house or building in accordance with the requirements and recommendations of the current
edition of the National Fire Protection Association Standard 72, National Fire Alarm Code (NFPA 72), the
manufacturer’s recommendations, State and local codes and the recommendations contained in Guide for the
Proper Use of System Smoke Detectors, which is made available at no charge to all installing dealers. For
specific requirements, check with the local Authority Having Jurisdiction (ex. Fire Chief) for fire protection
systems.
Requirements and Recommendations include: