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ABOUT SMOKE ALARMS
Battery (DC) operated Smoke Alarms: Provide protection even when
electricity fails, provided the batteries are fresh and correctly installed.
Units are easy to install, and do not require professional installation.
AC powered Smoke Alarms: Can be interconnected so if one unit
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 correctly installed. AC and AC/DC units 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) products or
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.
All these Smoke Alarms are designed to provide early warning of fires if
located, installed and cared for as described in the user’s manual, and if
smoke reaches them. If you are unsure which type of Smoke Alarm to
install, refer to Chapter 2 of the National Fire Protection Association
(NFPA) Standard 72 (National Fire Alarm Code) and NFPA 101 (Life Safety
Code). National Fire Protection Association, One Batterymarch Park,
Quincy, MA 02269-9101. Local building codes may also require specific
units in new construction or in different areas of the home.
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 group 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 build-
ings which require special fire detection 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. In existing construction, AC, AC/DC, or DC
powered Smoke Alarms can be used as specified by local building codes.
Refer to NFPA 72 (National Fire Alarm Code) and NFPA 101 (Life Safety
Code)
, local building codes, or consult your Fire Department for detailed
fire protection requirements in buildings not 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 requirements in common
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 ordinances/regulations.
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 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 ordinances/
regulations.
4. Hotels and Motels:
Also boarding houses and dormitories. This Smoke Alarm is suitable for
use inside individual sleeping/resident rooms, provided a primary fire
detection system already exists to meet fire detection requirements in
common 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 ordinances/regulations.
LIMITATIONS OF SMOKE ALARMS
Smoke Alarms have played a key role in reducing deaths resulting from
home fires worldwide. However, like any warning device, Smoke Alarms
can only work if they are properly located, installed, and maintained, and
if smoke reaches them. They are not foolproof.
Smoke alarms may not waken all individuals. Practice the escape plan
at least twice a year, making sure that everyone is involved – from kids to
grandparents. Allow children to master fire escape planning and practice
before holding a fire drill at night when they are sleeping. 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. It is recommended that you hold a fire drill while family mem-
bers are sleeping in order to determine their response 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 can-
not work if the batteries are missing, disconnected or dead, if the wrong
type of batteries are used, or if the batteries are not installed correctly. AC
units cannot work if the AC power is cut off for any reason (open fuse or
circuit breaker, failure along a power line or at a power station, electrical
fire that burns the electrical wires, etc.). If you are concerned about the
limitations of battery or AC power, install both types of units.
Smoke Alarms cannot detect fires if the smoke does not reach the
Alarms. Smoke from fires in chimneys or walls, on roofs, or on the other
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 bedroom or sleeping area doors are closed at
night—and in the hallway between them.
Smoke Alarms may not detect fire on another floor or area of the
dwelling. For example, a stand-alone unit on the second floor may not
detect smoke from a basement fire until the fire spreads. This may not
give you enough time to escape safely. That is why recommended
minimum protection is at least one unit in every sleeping area, and every
bedroom on every level of your dwelling. Even with a unit on every floor,
stand-alone units may not provide as much protection as interconnected
units, especially if the fire starts in a remote area. Some safety experts
recommend installing interconnected AC powered units with battery
back-up (see “About Smoke Alarms”) or professional fire detection sys-
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 heard if: 1) the unit is
located outside a closed or partially closed door, 2) residents recently con-
sumed alcohol or drugs, 3) the alarm is drowned out by noise from stereo,
TV, traffic, air conditioner or other appliances, 4) residents are 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. Examples of this include persons
smoking in bed, children playing with matches, or fires caused by
violent explosions resulting from escaping gas.
Smoke Alarms are not foolproof.
Like any electronic device, Smoke
Alarms are made of components that can wear out or fail at any time.
You must test the unit weekly to ensure your continued protection. Smoke
Alarms cannot prevent or extinguish fires. They are not a substitute for
property or life insurance.
Smoke Alarms have a limited life. The unit should be replaced
immediately if it is not operating properly. You should always replace a
Smoke Alarm after 10 years from date of purchase. Write the purchase
date on the space provided on back of unit.
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®
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First Alert
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