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
es 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
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) products or
square wave or “quasi sine wave” inverters will damage the Alarm .
If you are not sur
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 provide early warning of fires if
located, installed and cared for as described in the user’
smoke reaches them. If you are unsur
install, refer to Chapter 2 of the National Fire Pr
(NFPA) Standard 72 (National Fire Alarm Code) and NFP
Code). National Fire Protection Association, One Batterymar
Quincy
units in new construction or in different areas of the home.
SPECIAL COMPLIANCE CONSIDERA
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 war
industrial facilities, commercial buildings, and special-purpose non-resi-
dential buildings which require special fir
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 requir e the use of AC or AC/DC
powered Smoke Alarms only
powered Smoke Alarms can be used as specified by local building
codes. Refer to NFPe
Alarm Code), local building codes, or consult your Fire Department for
detailed fire protection r
holds.”
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 fir e 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 alr
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
detection system already exists to meet fire detection r
common areas like lobbies, hallways, or porches. Using this Smoke Alarm
in common areas may not provide suf
meet local fire protection or
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 ar
Smoke alarms may not waken all individuals. Practice the escape plan
at least twice a year
grandparents. Allow children to master fir
before holding a fir
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
members are sleeping in order to determine their r
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 breaker
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
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 fire until the fir
give you enough time to escape safely
mum 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
units, especially if the fire starts in a remote ar
recommend installing inter
back-up (see “About Smoke Alarms”) or professional fir
tems, so if one unit senses smoke, all units alarm. Interconnected units
may provide earlier warning than stand-alone 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
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
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 fir
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. Write the purchase
date on the space provided on back of unit.
First Alert® is a r egister ed trademark of the First Alert Trust.
Printed in Mexico M08-0067-004 J1 03/07
