5
ABOUT SMOKE ALARMS
Battery (DC) operated Smoke Alarms: Provide pr
electricity fails, provided the batteries ar
Units are easy to install, and do not requir
AC powered Smoke Alarms: Can be inter
senses smoke, all units alarm. They do not operate if electricity fails.
AC with battery (DC) back-up: will operate if electricity fails, provided
the batteries are fresh and corr
must be installed by a qualified electrician.
Smoke Alarms for Solar or Wind Energy users and battery backup
power systems: AC powered Smoke Alarms should only be operated
with true or pure sine wave inverters. Operating this Smoke Alarm with
most battery-powered UPS (uninterruptible power supply) pr
square wave or “quasi sine wave” inverters will damage the Alarm .
If you are not sure about your inverter or UPS type, please consult with
the manufacturer to verify
Smoke Alarms for the hearing impaired: Special purpose Smoke
Alarms should be installed for the hearing impaired. They include a
visual alarm and an audible alarm horn, and meet the requirements of
the Americans With Disabilities Act. Can be interconnected so if one
unit senses smoke, all units alarm.
Smoke alarms are not to be used with detector guards unless the
combination has been evaluated and found suitable for that purpose.
All these Smoke Alarms are designed to pr
located, installed and cared for as described in the user’
if smoke reaches them. If you are unsur
to install, refer to Chapter 2 of the National Fir
(NFP
Safety Code). National Fire Protection Association, One Batterymar
Park, Quincy, MA 02269-9101. Local building codes may also require
specific units in new construction or in different ar
SPECIAL COMPLIANCE CONSIDERATIONS
This Smoke Alarm alone is not a suitable substitute for complete fire
detection systems in places housing many people—like apartment
buildings, condominiums, hotels, motels, dormitories, hospitals, long-
term health care facilities, nursing homes, day care facilities, or gr
homes of any kind—even if they were once single-family homes.
It is not a suitable substitute for complete fire detection systems in
warehouses, industrial facilities, commercial buildings, and special-
purpose non-residential buildings which requir
and alarm systems. Depending on the building codes in your area, this
Smoke Alarm may be used to provide additional protection in these
facilities.
The following information applies to all four building types below:
In new construction, most building codes require the use of AC or
AC/DC powered Smoke Alarms only
AC/DC, or DC powered Smoke Alarms can be used as specified by
local building codes. Refer to NFP
(National Fire Alarm Code), local building codes, or consult your Fire
Department for detailed fire protection r
defined as “households.”
1. Single-Family Residence:
Single family home, townhouse. It is recommended Smoke Alarms be
installed on every level of the home, in every bedroom, and in each
bedroom hallway
2. Multi-Family or Mixed Occupant Residence:
Apartment building, condominium. This Smoke Alarm is suitable for use
in individual apartments or condos, provided a primary fire detection
system already exists to meet fire detection r
areas like lobbies, hallways, or porches. Using this Smoke Alarm in
common areas may not provide sufficient warning to all residents or
meet local fire protection or
3. Institutions:
Hospitals, day care facilities, long-term health care facilities. This Smoke
Alarm is suitable for use in individual patient sleeping/resident rooms,
provided a primary fire detection system already exists to meet fire
detection requirements in common ar
porches. Using this Smoke Alarm in common areas may not pr
sufficient warning to all residents or meet local fire pr
/regulations.
4. Hotels and Motels:
Also boarding houses and dormitories. This Smoke Alarm is suitable
for use inside individual sleeping/resident rooms, pr
fire detection system already exists to meet fir
in common areas like lobbies, hallways, or porches. Using this Smoke
Alarm in common areas may not provide suf
residents or meet local fir
LIMIT
Smoke Alarms have played a key role in reducing deaths r
home fires worldwide. However
can only work if they are properly located, installed, and maintained, and
if smoke reaches them. They are not foolpr
Smoke alarms may not waken all individuals. Practice the escape
plan at least twice a year
kids to grandparents. Allow childr
practice before holding a fire drill at night when they ar
If children or others do not readily waken to the sound of the smoke
alarm, or if there are infants or family members with mobility limitations,
make sure that someone is assigned to assist them in fire drill and in
the event of an emergency
while family members are sleeping in or
to the sound of the smoke alarm while sleeping and to determine
whether they may need assistance in the event of an emergency
Smoke Alarms cannot work without power Battery operated units
cannot work if the batteries are missing, disconnected or dead, if the
wrong type of batteries are used, or if the batteries ar
correctly
(open fuse or circuit br
station, electrical fire that burns the electrical wires, etc.). If you are
concerned about the limitations of battery or AC power
types of units.
Smoke Alarms cannot detect fires if the smoke does not reach
them. Smoke from fires in chimneys or walls, on r
side of closed doors may not reach the sensing chamber and set
off the alarm. That is why one unit should be installed inside each
bedroom or sleeping area—especially if bedr
doors are closed at night—and in the hallway between them.
Smoke Alarms may not detect fire on another floor or area of the
home. For example, a stand-alone unit on the second floor may not
detect smoke from a basement fir
not give you enough time to escape safely
minimum protection is at least one unit in every sleeping area, and
every bedroom on every level of your home. Even with a unit on every
floor, stand-alone units may not provide as much protection as inter-
connected units, especially if the fire starts in a r
safety experts recommend installing inter
with battery back-up (see “About Smoke Alarms”) or professional
fire detection systems, so if one unit senses smoke, all units alarm.
Interconnected units may pr
units since all units alarm when one detects smoke.
Smoke Alarms may not be heard. Though the alarm horn in this unit
meets or exceeds current standards, it may not be hear
is located outside a closed or partially closed door, 2) residents recently
consumed alcohol or drugs, 3) the alarm is drowned out by noise from
stereo, TV
hearing impaired or sound sleepers. Special purpose units, like those
with visual and audible alarms, should be installed for hearing impaired
residents.
Smoke Alarms may not have time to alarm before the fire itself
causes damage, injury, or death, since smoke from some fires may
not reach the unit immediately
smoking in bed, children playing with matches, or fires caused by
violent explosions resulting from escaping gas.
Smoke Alarms are not foolproof. Like any electr
Alarms are made of components that can wear out or fail at any time.
Y
Smoke Alarms cannot prevent or extinguish fires. They ar
substitute for property or life insurance.
Smoke Alarms have a limited life. The unit should be replaced
immediately if it is not operating properly
Smoke Alarm after 10 years from date of purchase. W
date on the space provided on back of unit.
First Alert® is a registered trademark of the First Alert T
Printed in Mexico M08-0069-004 J1 02/05
