Specifications

Introduction
151295 1-5
• 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 comprehend the meaning of the signal. It is the property owner’s responsi-
bility 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.