Instruction Manual

3. Get out as fast as you can. Have a
prearranged meeting place outside
for all family members. Check to
make sure everyone is accounted for.
4. Call the Fire Department from a
neighbor’s house or mobile phone.
Remember to give your name and
address.
5. NEVER re-enter a burning house.
Limitations of Smoke Detectors
While Smoke Detectors are extremely effective, independent
authorities have stated that under some circumstances they
may become ineffective. A number of reasons for this are:
• Smoke Detectors will not work if the batteries are depleted
or if they are not correctly installed. Replace the batteries
if necessary. Also check the replace by date on the side of
the Detector.
• Smoke Detectors will only work when sufficient smoke
reaches the Detector. Smoke may be prevented from
reaching the Detector if the fire is too far away, for
example, if the fire is on another floor, behind a closed
door, in a chimney, in a wall cavity, or if the prevailing
air drafts carry the smoke or heat away. Installing Smoke
Detectors on both sides of closed doors and installing
more than one Detector as recommended by code, may
significantly improve the probability of early detection.
• The Smoke Detectors may not be heard due to other loud
noise, hearing impairment, etc.
• A Smoke Detector may not wake a person who has taken
drugs or alcohol.
• Certain types of fires may be difficult to detect in time to
provide sufficient early warning. Examples include; fires
caused by smoking in bed, gas leaks, explosions, poor
storage of flammable rags and/or liquids, for example fuels,
paint, paint thinner, etc., overloaded electrical circuits, or
children playing with matches.
• Current studies have shown that Smoke Detectors may not
awaken all sleeping individuals. It is the responsibility
of individuals in the household who are capable of
assisting others, to provide assistance to those who
may not be awakened by the Detector alarming sound,
or to those who may be incapable of safely escaping the
area unassisted.
Limitations of Heat Detectors
There are various situations where a Heat Detector may not
be effective:
• Fires where the victim is directly exposed to flame for
example; clothes catching fire while cooking.
• Fires where the heat is prevented from reaching the Heat
Detector due to a closed door or other obstruction.
• Incendiary fires where the fire grows so rapidly that an
occupant’s egress is blocked even with properly located
Heat Detectors
If your Detector fails to work after you have read the sections
on “Installation”, “Testing and Maintenance”, then contact
Customer Service at the address given at the end of this manual.
10
4. Detector Limitations
5. Getting Your Detector Serviced