Filter
Top Products
M
odel
H
D6135F
M
08-0193-001
P 0
8/08 Printed in Mexico
T
ABLE OF CONTENTS
I
ntroduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
F
ire Safety Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
B
efore You Install This Heat Alarm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
H
ow This Heat Alarm Works . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-3
H
ow To Install This Heat Alarm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-3
W
eekly Testing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Regular Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
If You Suspect a Problem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
U
nderstanding the Indicator Lights and Alarm Horn Patterns . . . . . . . . .4
If This Heat Alarm Sounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
R
esponding To An Alarm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
W
hat To Do In Case Of Fire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
R
ecommended Locations For Heat Alarms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-5
L
ocations To Avoid For Heat Alarms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
S
pecial Compliance Considerations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
L
imitations of Heat Alarms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
L
imited Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
©
2008 BRK Brands, Inc. All rights reserved. Distributed by BRK Brands, Inc.
3
901 Liberty Street Road, Aurora, IL 60504-8122
C
onsumer Affairs: (800) 323-9005
w
ww.brkelectronics.com • www.firstalert.com
INTRODUCTION
T
hank you for choosing First Alert
®
f
or your Heat Alarm needs. You have
p
urchased a state-of-the-art Heat Alarm designed to provide you with early
war
ning of incr
eased temperatur
e
s that may be the re
sult a fire
.
K
ey features include:
1
35º F Fixed Te
mperature
Sensor
–
Pro
grammed to alarm when t
emperature
reaches 135º F.
I
nterc
onnectable
–
Can be interc
onnected with First Alert
®
a
nd BRK
®
S
moke,
CO, and Heat Alarms.
FIRE SAFETY TIPS
F
ollow safety rules and pre
vent hazard
ous situations: 1) Use smoking
materials properly. Never smoke in bed. 2) Keep matches or lighters away
f
rom children; 3) Store flammable materials in proper containers; 4) Keep
e
lectrical appliances in good condition and don’t overload electrical circuits;
5) Keep stoves, barbecue grills, fir
e
places and chimneys grease- and debris-
f
ree; 6) Never leave anything cooking on the stove unattended; 7) Keep
p
ortable heaters and open flames, like candles, away from flammable
materials; 8) Don’t let rubbish accumulate.
Keep alarms clean, and test them weekly. Replace alarms immediately if they
a
re not working properly. Heat and Smoke Alarms that do not work cannot
a
lert you to a fire
. Keep at least one working fire
extinguisher on every floor,
and an additional one in the kitchen. Have fire escape ladders or other reliable
m
eans of escape fro
m an upper floor in case stairs are blocked.
BEFORE YOU INSTALL THIS HEAT ALARM
IMPORTANT! Read “Recommended Locations for Heat Alarms” and
“
Locations to Avoid for Heat Alarms” before beginning. This unit monitors
t
he air, and when heat reaches its sensing chamber, it alarms. It can give
you more time to escape before fire spreads. This unit can ONLY give an
e
arly warning of developing fir
es if it is installed, maintained and located
w
here heat can reach it, and where all residents can hear it, as described in
this manual. This unit will not sense gas, smoke, or flame. It cannot prevent
o
r extinguish fires.
K
now Where To Install Your Heat Alarms
S
ee “Recommended Locations For Heat Alarms” and “Locations To
Av
oid
For Heat Alarms” for details.
K
now What Heat Alarm
s Can and Can’t
Do
A
Heat Alarm can help alert you to fire
, giving you pre
cious time to
escape. It can only sound an alarm once heat reaches the sensor.
S
ee “Limitations of Heat Alarms” for details.
Check Your Local Building Codes
This Heat Alarm is designed to be used in a typical single-family home. It
a
lone will not meet requirements for boarding houses, apartment buildings,
hotels or motels. See “Special Compliance Considerations”
for details.
1
USER’S MANUAL
• This device is not intended to alert hearing impaired residents.
Smoke Alarms specifically designed for the hearing impaired,
which feature devices like flashing strobe lights, are available
to aler
t the hearing impair
ed in case of fire.
• Installation of this Heat Alarm must conform to the electrical
codes in your area; Articles 210 and 300.3 (B) of the National
Electrical Code (NFP
A 70), NFP
A 72, NFPA 101; SBC (SBCCI);
NBC (BOCA); OTFDC (CABO), and any other local or building
codes that may apply. Wiring and installation must be performed
by a licensed electrician. Failure to follow these guidelines may
result in injury or property damage.
•
This Heat Alarm is not a Smoke Alarm. This unit is not suitable
pr
otection when used alone. Do not use this unit as the only
means of fire detection in a home. This unit is intended for use
as a supplement to Smoke Alarms.
• This Heat Alarm must have AC to operate. If AC power fails, the
alarm cannot operate.
• This unit must be powered by a 24-hour, 120VAC 60Hz circuit.
Be sure the circuit cannot be turned off by a switch, dimmer, or
ground fault circuit interrupter. Failure to connect this unit to a
24-hour circuit and keeping fresh batteries installed, may prevent
it from providing constant protection.
• Never disconnect the power from an AC powered unit to stop an
unwanted alar
m. Doing so will disable the unit and r
emove your
protection. In the case of a true unwanted alarm, press the Test
button or fan the heat away fr
om the unit. The alarm will reset
automatically when it r
etur
ns to nor
mal operation.
• NEVER ignore any alarm. Read “If Your Heat Alarm Sounds” for
mor
e infor
mation on how to respond to an alarm. Failure to
respond can result in injury or death.
• Test this Heat Alarm once a week. If it ever fails to test correctly,
have it replaced immediately! If the Alarm is not working properly,
it cannot alert you to a problem.
• Connect this Heat Alarm ONLY to other compatible units.
See “Special Requirements for Interconnected Heat Alarms” for
details. Do not connect it to any other type of alarm or auxiliary
device. Connecting anything else to this unit may damage it or
prevent it from operating properly.
• DO NOT stand too close to the unit when the alarm is sounding.
It is loud to alert you in an emergency. Exposure to the horn at
close range may har
m your hearing. When testing the unit, step
back when the hor
n star
ts sounding.
•
Do not paint over the Heat Alar
m. Paint may clog the openings to
the sensor and pr
event the Heat Alar
m fr
om operating pr
operly
.
120V AC POWERED
135ºF FIXED TEMPERATURE HEAT ALARM
120V AC ~ 60 Hz
0
.05 Amps
I
MPORTANT! PLEASE READ CAREFULLY AND SAVE.
This user’s manual contains important information
about your Heat Alarm’s operation. If you are installing
t
his Heat Alarm for use by others, you must leave this
manual—or a copy of it—with the end user.
The Mounting Bracket:
T
o remove the mounting bracket from the Heat
A
larm base, hold the Heat Alarm base firmly and
twist the mounting bracket counterclockwise.
The mounting bracket installs onto the junction box.
I
t has a variety of screw slots to fit most boxes.
The Power Connector:
T
he power connector plugs into a power input block on
t
he Heat Alarm. It supplies the unit with AC power.
•
The black wir
e is “hot.”
•
The white wire is neutral.
• The orange wire is used for interconnect.
If you need to remove the power connector, disconnect
A
C power at the electrical panel; insert a flat screwdriver
b
lade between the power connector and the security
tab inside the power input block. Gently pry back the
t
ab and pull the connector free.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
11
12
1
3
10
1 Mounting Slot and Screw
2
Junction Box
3
Mounting Bracket
4
Alignment arrow on Alarm
5 Mounting Slot and Screw
6 Wire strip gauge
7 Hot (Black) AC Wire
8
Neutral (White) AC Wire
9
Interconnect (Orange) Wire
10 Mounting post
11 Mounting slots in mounting bracket
1
2 Turn this way to attach to bracket
1
3 Turn this way to remove from bracket
T
he basic installation of this Heat Alarm is the similar whether you want to
i
nstall one Heat Alarm, or interconnect more than one Heat Alarm. If you
are interconnecting more than one Heat Alarm, you MUST read “Special
R
equire
ments for Interconnected Heat Alarms” below before you begin
i
nstallation.
ELECTRICAL SHOCK HAZARD. Turn off power to the area where you
w
ill install this unit at the circuit breaker or fuse box before beginning
i
nstallation. Failure
to turn
off
the power before
installation may re
sult
in serious electrical shock, injury or death.
1
. Remove the mounting bracket from the base. Position the screw slots
o
n the mounting bracket over the screws in the junction box. Tighten
t
he screws.
2. Using wire nuts, connect the power connector to the household wiring.
I
mproper wiring of the power connector or the wiring leading to the
p
ower connector will cause damage to the Alarm
and may lead to a
non-functioning Alarm.
3. Plug the power connector into the back of the Heat Alarm.
4
.
P
osition the base of the Alarm over the mounting bracket and turn
.
Turn the Alarm clockwise (right) until the unit is in place.
5
. Check all connections.
ELECTRICAL SHOCK HAZARD. Do not restore power until all Heat
Alar
ms are completely installed. Restoring power before installation is
complete may r
esult in serious electrical shock, injury or death.
6
. Make sure the Heat Alarm is receiving AC power. Under normal
operation, the green light (LED) will shine continuously.
7
. If the green power indicator light does not light,
T
URN OFF POWER TO
T
HE JUNCTION BOX
a
nd re
check all connections. If all connections are
corr
ect and the power indicator still does not light when you restore the
p
ower, the unit should be replaced immediately.
8
. T
e
st each Heat Alarm. Pre
ss the Te
st button until you hear a brief
a
cknowledge (or feedback) chirp. The alarm will sound: 3 beeps, pause,
3
beeps, pause.
When testing a series of interconnected units you must test each
u
nit individually. Make sure all units alarm when each one is tested.
If any unit in the series does not alarm, TURN OFF POWER and recheck
c
onnections. If it does not alarm
during testing when you re
store power,
replace it immediately.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS FOR INTERCONNECTED HEAT ALARMS
•
Failure to meet any of these requirements could damage the units
a
nd cause them to malfunction, removing your protection.
Interconnected units can provide earlier warning of fire than stand-alone
u
nits, especially if a fire
starts in a remote ar
ea of the dwelling. If any unit
i
n the series senses heat, all units will alarm.
I
nterc
onnect units within a single family residence only
. Otherwise all house
-
h
olds will experience unwanted alarms when you test any unit in the series.
Interconnected units will only work if they are wired to compatible units and
a
ll requirements are met. This unit is designed to be compatible with
F
irst Alert
®
a
nd
B
RK
®
S
moke, CO and Heat Alarms.
I
nterconnected units must meet ALL of the following r
equirements:
•
A
maximum of 18 compatible Smoke, Heat or CO Alarms may be
interconnected. To comply with NFPA limits, no more than 12 of the
1
8 alarms may be Smoke Alarms.
•
The same fuse or circuit breaker must power all interconnected units.
• All wiring must conform to all local electrical codes and NFPA 70 (NEC).
Refer to NFP
A, Chapter 2 and/or your local building code for further
c
onnection requirements.
HOW TO INSTALL THIS HEAT ALARM
T
HE PARTS OF THIS HEAT ALARM
T
his Heat Alarm is designed to be mounted on any standard wiring junction box to a 4-inch (10 cm) size, on either the ceiling or wall (if allowed by local codes).
Read “Recommended Locations For Heat Alarms” and “Locations to Avoid For Heat Alarms” before you begin installation.
Tools you will need: • Needle-nose pliers or utility knife • Standard Flathead screwdriver.
FOLLOW
THESE INSTALLATION STEPS
STAND-ALONE ALARM ONLY:
• Connect the white wire on the power connector to the neutral wire in
t
he junction box.
•
Connect the black wire on the power connector to the hot wire in the
j
unction box.
•
T
u
ck the orange wire
inside the junction box. It is used for
i
nterconnect only
.
I
NTERCONNECTED UNITS ONLY:
S
trip off
about 1/2” (12 mm) of the plastic coating on the orange
wire on the power connector.
• Connect the white wire on the power connector to the neutral wire in
t
he junction box.
•
Connect the black wire on the power connector to the hot wire in the
junction box.
•
Connect the orange wir
e on the power connector to the inter
connect
w
ire in the junction box. Repeat for each unit you are interconnecting.
Never connect the hot or neutral wires in the junction box to the orange
inter
connect wir
e. Damage may r
esult.
•
Never cr
oss-connect hot and neutral wir
es between inter
connected
A
larms. Damage will re
sult.
STAND-ALONE ALARM ONLY:
•
If you are only installing one Heat Alarm, restore power to the
junction box.
INTERCONNECTED UNITS ONLY:
• If you are interconnecting multiple Heat Alarms, repeat steps 1-5
for each Heat Alarm in the series. When you are finished, restore
power to the junction box.
6
7
8
4
3
5
4
3
1
5
2
A
B
}
}
1
A.
Unswitched 120V AC
60 Hz source
B.
T
o additional units; Maximum = 18 total
(Maximum 12 Smoke Alarms)
1. Heat Alarm
2. Ceiling or Wall
3. Power Connector
4. Wire Nut
5. Junction Box
6. Neutral Wire (Wht)
7. Interconnect Wire
(Orange)
8.
Hot Wir
e (Blk)
This Heat Alarm monitors the air and when heat reaches the sensor, it alarms.
T
he unit will alarm when the temperature reaches a fixed 135º F (57º C).
H
eat Alarms are intended for use as supplemental safety devices
with Smoke Alarms. Heat Alarms are designed for use in areas where
S
moke Alarms cannot be installed due to temperature and environmental
c
onditions, as in unheated garages and crawl spaces. A Heat Alarm can
only give early warning of a developing fire if it is properly installed and
m
aintained and located where heat can reach it. The unit will not sense
g
as, smoke or flame. Heat Alarms cannot prevent or extinguish fires.
This Heat Alarm is approved for use in single-family residences.
I
t is NOT designed for marine or RV use.
THE COVER OF YOUR HEAT ALARM
1. Power Light, Test Button
2. Air Vents
3. (Behind the Cover) Alarm Horn:
85 dB audible alarm for test, alarm,
a
nd unit malfunction warning.
4. Heat Sensor
HOW THIS HEAT ALARM WORKS
Make sure the Alarm is not receiving excessive noisy power. Examples of noisy power could be major appliances on the same circuit, power from a
g
enerator or solar power, light dimmer on the same circuit or mounted near fluorescent lighting. Excessive noisy power may cause damage to your Alarm.
2 3 4
WEEKL
Y TESTING
• NEVER use an open flame of any kind to test this unit. You might
accidentally damage or set fire to the unit or to your home. The built-
in test switch accurately tests the unit’s operation as required by
Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. (UL).
• If the Alarm ever fails to test properly, replace it immediately.
Products under warranty may be returned to the manufacturer for
replacement. See “Limited Warranty” at the end of this manual.
• DO NOT stand close to the Alarm when the horn is sounding.
Exposure at close range may be harmful to your hearing. When
testing, step away when hor
n star
ts sounding.
It is important to test this unit every week to make sure it is working
pr
operly
.
Pr
ess and hold the test button until the alarm sends a test command
acknowledge “chirp” just before it sounds continuously (the unit will continue
to alarm for a few seconds after you release the button). If it does not alarm,
make sure it is receiving power and has a fresh battery, and test it again.
If it still does not alarm, it should be replaced immediately.
When testing one unit, all interconnected alarms will sound. If they don’t,
check the connection with power to the units turned off, restore power and
try again. Test all units in a series, not just one. Using the test button is the
ONL
Y corr
ect way to test the Heat Alarm.
REGULAR MAINTENANCE
This unit has been designed to be as maintenance-fr
ee as possible, but there
are a few simple things you must do to keep it working properly:
• Test it at least once a week.
• Clean the Heat Alarm at least once a month; gently vacuum the
outside of the Heat Alarm using your household vacuum’s soft brush
attachment. T
est the Heat Alarm. Never use water
, cleaners or solvents
since they may damage the unit.
• If the Heat Alarm becomes contaminated by excessive dirt, dust and/or
grime, and cannot be cleaned to avoid unwanted alarms, r
eplace the
unit immediately
.
•
Relocate the unit if it sounds fr
equent unwanted alarms. See “Locations
to Avoid for Heat Alarms” for details.
IF YOU SUSPECT A PROBLEM
Heat Alarms may not operate properly because of a build-up of dirt, dust or
gr
ease on the Heat Alarm cover
, or installation in an impr
oper location. Clean
the Heat Alarm as described in “Regular Maintenance,” then test the Heat
Alarm again. If it fails to test properly when you use the test button, or if the
problem persists, replace the Heat Alarm immediately.
• If you experience frequent non-emergency alarms try relocating the
Heat Alarm.
• If the alarm sounds when no smoke is visible, try cleaning or
r
elocating the Heat Alar
m. The cover may be dirty.
• If the alarm does not sound during testing, make sure it is receiving
AC
power fr
om the household cur
r
ent.
Always dischar
ge the branch circuit before servicing an AC or AC/DC
Heat Alarm. First, turn off the AC power at the circuit breaker or fuse
box. Next, remove the battery from Heat Alarms with battery back-up.
Finally, press the test button to discharge the branch circuit.
If the Heat Alarm is still not operating properly, and it is still under warranty,
please see “How to Obtain Warranty Service” in the Limited Warranty.
Do not try fixing the alarm yourself – this will void your warranty!
M
ALFUNCTION
(Unit MUST be
r
eplaced)
L
ED flashes GREEN
rapidly three times, in
s
ync with three horn
“
chirps”, once every
minute
Horn “chirps” three
t
imes, in sync with
three LED flashes
ALARM CONDITION
*
(
Initiating Unit)
LED flashes GREEN,
t
he same pattern as
the horn
Audible alarm:
3
beeps, pause,
repeating horn pattern
AC POWER ON
(Normal operation)
LED shines GREEN
continuously
Silent; no audible
alarm
RESUME AC POWER
GREEN LED turns ON
H
orn “chirps” one time
t
o signal resumption of
AC power
C
ondition LED Horn
D
URING TESTING
LED flashes GREEN,
t
he same pattern as
t
he horn
A
udible alarm:
3
beeps, pause,
repeating horn pattern
UNDERSTANDING THE INDICATOR LIGHTS
AND ALARM HORN PATTERNS
*When any Heat Alarm in an interconnected series triggers an alarm, its green
LED will flash rapidly. The green LEDs will not flash on any remaining alarms in
t
he series. This feature helps responders identify which unit(s) triggered the alarm.
I
F THIS HEAT ALARM SOUNDS
RESPONDING TO AN ALARM
During an alarm, you will hear a loud, repeating horn pattern:
3 beeps, pause, 3 beeps, pause.
•
If the unit alarms and you are not testing the unit, it is warning you
o
f a potentially dangerous situation that requires your immediate
attention. NEVER ignore any alarm. Ignoring the alarm may result
i
n injury or death.
• Never disconnect the AC power to quiet an unwanted alarm.
Disconnecting the power disables the alarm so it cannot sense
heat. This will remove your protection.
•
If the unit alarms and you are not absolutely certain of the source
o
f the heat, get everyone out of the house immediately.
•
ELECTRICAL SHOCK HAZARD: Attempting to disconnect the power
c
onnector from the unit when the power is on may result in electrical
s
hock, serious injury or death.
W
hen an interconnected system of units is in alarm, the Green LED on the
u
nit(s) that initiated the alarm will flash in sync with the horn. The LED will not
f
lash on any remaining units.
W
HAT TO DO IN CASE OF FIRE
• Don’t panic; stay calm. Follow your family escape plan.
•
Get out of the house as quickly as possible. Don’t stop to get dressed or
c
ollect anything.
• Feel doors with the back of your hand before opening them.
I
f a door is cool, open it slowly. Don’t open a hot door. Keep doors
a
nd windows closed, unless you must escape through them.
•
Cover your nose and mouth with a cloth (pr
e
ferably damp).
T
a
ke short, shallow breaths.
•
M
eet at your planned meeting place outside your home, and do a head
count to make sure everybody got out safely.
•
Call the Fire Department as soon as possible from outside.
G
ive your address, then your name.
•
Never go back inside a burning building for any reason.
•
Contact your Fire Department for ideas on making your home safer.
RECOMMENDED LOCA
TIONS FOR HEA
T ALARMS
In Single-Family Residences.
For minimum coverage, BRK Brands, Inc. recommends you install Heat
A
larms in any area not suitable for smoke alarms such as garages, kitchens,
utility/laundry rooms, furnace rooms and crawl spaces. Install where tempera-
tures normally remain between –10º F and 100º F (–23º C and 38º C).
F
or National Fire
Pro
tection Association (NFPA) information, see “Agency
Placement Recommendations for Heat Alarms and Smoke Alarms.”
5
Printed in Mexico M08-0193-001 P 08/08
BRK
®
is a registered trademark of BRK Brands, Inc.
First Alert
®
is a r
egister
ed trademark of the First Alert T
rust.
Please record Date and Where Purchased:
___________________________________________________________________
6
RECOMMENDED PLACEMENT
Heat Alar
m
s Recommended in New Home Constru
ction
• The recommended location for a Heat Alarm is at the center of the
ceiling. At this location, the Heat Alarm is closest to all areas of the
r
oom.
•
If it is not practical to install the Heat Alarm in the center of the room,
use an off-center location not less than 4 inches (102 mm) from the
sidewall.
• If it is not practical to install the Heat Alarm on the ceiling, the next
logical location is on a sidewall. A Heat Alarm mounted on a sidewall
should have the top of the unit between 4 and 12 inches (102 mm and
305 mm) from the ceiling.
• The smooth ceiling distance between Heat Alarms shall not exceed
spacings as determined by UL fir
e tests. This Heat Alarm has a 50 foot
(15 meter) spacing.
• Reduced spacing may be required due to factors such as exposed
joists, drafts, ceiling heights greater than 10 feet (3 meters), and other
structural characteristics that may affect Heat Alarm operation. Walls,
partitions, doorways, and joists interrupt the normal flow of heat
cr
eating new ar
eas to be pr
otected.
NFPA Standard 72 Appendix A-2-5.2.2.2 part c-d
(c) The Spacing of Detectors: Where a room is too large for protection
by a single detector, several detectors should be used. It is important
that they be properly located so all parts of the room are covered.
(d) Where the Distance Between Detectors Should Be Further Reduced:
The distance between detectors is based on data obtained from the
spread of heat across a smooth ceiling. Where the ceiling is not smooth,
the placement of the detector should be tailor
ed to the situation.
For instance, with open wood joists, heat travels freely down the joist
channels so that the maximum distance between detectors [50 ft (15 m)]
may be permitted to be used. However, heat has trouble spreading
acr
oss the joists, so the distance in this dir
ection should be 1/2 the
distance allowed between detectors, as shown in the illustration above
(“Heat Alarms Recommended in New Home Construction”) and the
distance to the wall is reduced to 12-1/2 ft. (3.8 m). Since 1/2 x 50 ft.
(15 m) is 25 ft. (7.6 m), the distance between detectors acr
oss open
wood joists should not exceed 25 ft. (7.6 m), as shown in “Heat Alarms
Recommended in New Home Construction,” and the distance to the wall
is reduced [1/2 x 25 ft. (7.6 m)] to 12.5 ft. (3.8 m). Paragraph 2-5.2.2.4
requires that detectors be mounted on the bottom of the joists and not
up in joist channels.
Walls, partitions, doorways, ceiling beams, and open joists interrupt the
normal flow of heat, thus creating new areas to be protected.
AGENCY PLACEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS FOR HEAT
AND SMOKE ALARMS
NFPA Appendix A-2-5.2.2: While Chapter 2 does not require heat detectors as
p
art of the basic protection scheme, it is recommended that the householder
c
onsider the use of additional heat detectors...The additional areas lending
themselves to protection with heat detectors are: kitchen, dining room, attic
(
finished or unfinished), furnace room, utility room, basement and integral or
a
ttached garages. For bedrooms, the installation of a smoke detector is
preferable to the installation of a heat detector.
The following recommendations reference location and usage of Smoke
A
larms. Heat Alarms are intended as supplemental safety devices.
Do not rely solely on Heat Alarms to alert you to fire.
N
FPA 72 (National Fire Code)
S
moke Alarms shall be installed in each separate sleeping room, outside each
sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of the bedrooms and on each additional
story of the family living unit, including basements and excluding crawl spaces
a
nd unfinished attics.
I
n new construction, Alarms shall be so arranged that operation of any one
A
larm shall cause the operation of all Alarms within the dwelling.
S
moke Detection-Are More Smoke Alarms Desirable?
T
he required number
of Smoke Alarms might not provide reliable early warning protection for those
areas separated by a door from the areas protected by the required Smoke
A
larms. For this reason, it is recommended that the householder consider the
use of additional Smoke Alarms for those areas for increased protection.
The additional areas include the basement, bedrooms, dining room, furnace
r
oom, utility room, and hallways not protected by the required Smoke Alarms.
The installation of Smoke Alarms in kitchens, attics (finished or unfinished), or
garages is not normally recommended, as these locations occasionally
e
xperience conditions that can result in improper operation.
California State Fire Marshal (CSFM)
E
arly warning detection is best achieved by the installation of fire detection
e
quipment in all rooms and areas of the household as follows: A Smoke Alarm
installed in each separate sleeping area (in the vicinity, but outside bedrooms),
a
nd Heat or Smoke Alarms in the living rooms, dining rooms, bedrooms,
k
itchens, hallways, finished attics, furnace rooms, closets, utility and storage
rooms, basements, and attached garages.
Additional local building and regulatory codes may apply in your area.
A
lways check compliance r
equirements before beginning any installation.
Specific requirements for Heat or Smoke Alarm installation vary from state to
s
tate and from region to region. Check with your local Fire Department for
c
urrent requirements in your area. If you install AC or AC/DC units, it is recom-
mended they be interconnected for added protection. Interconnect Smoke and
H
eat Alarms for added protection.
LOCATIONS TO AVOID FOR HEAT ALARMS
T
his unit works best when it’s clean and nothing interferes with the sensor. If
exposed to dirt, grease, extreme temperatures not caused by fire (especially in
a
ttics where
daily temperatures can exceed the 135º F (57º C) alarm level or
h
igh humidity, it may sound “unwanted” alarms. If Heat Alarms are installed
where heat can’t reach them–like in “dead air spaces” or near fans–they may
n
ot be able to provide an early enough warning in case of fire.
F
or best performance, do not install the Heat Alarm:
• Where temperatures are regularly below –20º F (–29º C) or above 115º F
(
46º C), including unheated buildings, outdoor ro
oms, or porches.
•
Do not install a Heat Alarm dir
ectly over the stove or range. Clean a
l
aundry room unit frequently to keep it free of dirt or lint.
•
N
ear fresh air vents, ceiling fans, or in very drafty ar
eas. Drafts can blow
h
eat away from the unit, preventing it from reaching the sensing chamber.
•
I
n “dead air” spaces. Install units accord
ing to “Avoiding Dead Air Spaces”.
•
Less than 12 inches (305 mm) away from fluorescent lights. Electrical
“
noise” can interfere with the sensor.
GARAGE
BEDROOM
BEDROOM
HALL
LIVING ROOM
KITCHEN
B
ASEMENT
BEDROOM
INTERCONNECTED HEAT ALARMS IN
GARAGES, KITCHENS, UTILITY/LAUNDRY
ROOMS, FURNACE ROOMS AND CRAWL
SPACES AND ONLY AS A SUPPLEMENT TO
SMOKE ALARMS.
FOR MAXIMUM PROTECTION USE
INTERCONNECTED SMOKE ALARMS WITH
BATTERY BACK-UP AS SHOWN.
12.5 ft.
(3.8 m)
25 ft.
(7.8 m)
25 ft.
(7.8 m)
50 ft.
(15 m)
25 ft.
(7.8 m)
25 ft.
(7.8 m)
12.5 ft.
(3.8 m)
Heat Alarms should be mounted on the bottom of the joists
and not up in the joist channels.
S
PECIAL COMPLIANCE CONSIDERATIONS
T
he following re
commendations re
ference location and usage of Smoke
Alarms. Heat Alarms are only intended as supplemental safety devices.
Do not r
ely solely on Heat Alarms to alert you to fire.
T
his unit 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
c
are
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 fir
e detection systems in war
ehouses, industrial
f
acilities, commercial buildings, and special-purpose non-residential
buildings which require special fire detection and alarm systems.
Depending on the building codes in your ar
ea, this unit may be used to
p
ro
vide additional protection in these facilities.
For your reference: The following is information on Smoke Alarm usage
i
n various residences and institutions.
T
he following information applies to all five types of buildings listed below:
In new construction, most building codes require the use of AC or AC/DC
p
owere
d Smoke Alarms only.
AC, AC/DC, or DC powered Smoke Alarms can
be used in existing construction as specified by local building codes. Refer to
NFPA 72 (National Fire Alarm Code) and NFPA 101 (Life Safety Code), local
b
uilding codes, or consult your Fire
Department for detailed fire
protection
requirements in buildings not defined as “households.”
1
. Single-Family Residence:
S
ingle family home, townhouse. It is re
commended 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 ar
eas
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
r
equirements in common areas like lobbies, hallways, or porches. Using this
Smoke Alarm in common ar
eas 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 alr
eady exists to meet fir
e detection r
equir
ements in common ar
eas
like lobbies, hallways, or por
ches. Using this Smoke Alarm in common ar
eas
may not provide sufficient warning to all residents or meet local fire protection
or
dinances/regulations.
5. W
ar
ehouses/Commercial Buildings:
DO NOT use this Alarm in warehouses, industrial or commercial buildings,
special-purpose non-residential buildings, RVs, boats, or airplanes. This Alarm
is specifically designed for residential use, and may not provide adequate
protection in non-residential applications.
A
VOIDING DEAD AIR SPACES
“
Dead air” spaces may prevent heat from reaching the Heat Alarm. To avoid
dead air spaces, follow installation instructions in the “Recommended
L
ocations for Heat Alarms” (re
fer to NFPA72 for details).
F
or wall mounting
(
if allowed by building codes), the top edge of Heat Alarms
s
hould be placed between 4 inches (102 mm) and 12 inches (305 mm) fro
m
the wall/ceiling line, below typical “dead air” spaces.
LIMITATIONS OF HEAT ALARMS
This Heat Alarm is not a Smoke Alarm. This unit is not suitable protection
w
hen used alone. Do not use this unit as the only means of fire detection
i
n a home. This unit is intended for use as a supplement to Smoke
Alarms.
H
eat Alarms are not life safety devices.
Heat Alarms are intended for use as supplements to Smoke Alarms.
B
ecause this unit cannot detect smoke, carbon monoxide or other toxic
g
ases, do not rely solely on this Heat Alarm in a fire emergency. Slow
developing fires may produce smoke and toxic gasses without a significant
i
ncrease in room temperatures. For this reason, Heat Alarms are only to be
i
nstalled as supplementary protection with Smoke Alarms.
Heat Alarms cannot work without power. AC powered Heat Alarms and
S
moke Alarms 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.).
A
C units with battery (DC) back-up:
w
ill operate if electricity fails, provided
the batteries are fresh and correctly installed. AC and AC/DC units must be
installed by a qualified electrician.
H
eat Alarms for Solar or Wind Energy users and battery backup power
systems:
AC powered Heat Alarms should only be operated with true or pure
s
ine wave inverters. Operating this Heat Alarm with most battery-powered
U
PS (uninterruptible power supply) products or square wave or “quasi sine
wave” inverters
will damage the Alarm. If you are not sure about your
i
nverter or UPS type, please consult with the manufacturer to verify.
Heat Alarms cannot sense fires if the heat does not reach them. Heat
from fires in chimneys or walls, on roofs, or on the other side of closed doors
m
ay not reach the sensing chamber and set off the alarm. That is why one
unit should be installed on every floor, in the attic, basement and garage and
only as a supplement to Smoke Alarms.
H
eat Alarms may not sense heat from a fire on another level of the home.
Example: a stand-alone unit on the second floor may not detect heat from a
f
ire in a crawl space until the fire spreads. This may not give you enough time
to escape safely. That is why recommended minimum protection is at least
one Smoke Alarm on every level of your home and Heat Alarms in any areas
n
ot suitable for Smoke Alarms. 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. Interconnected units may provide earlier
w
arning than stand-alone units since all units alarm when one senses heat
or smoke.
Heat Alarms may not be heard. The alarm horn loudness meets or exceeds
the current UL standard. However, if the device is installed outside the bed-
room, it may not wake up a sound sleeper or one who has recently used
drugs or has been drinking alcoholic beverages. This is especially true if the
door is closed or only partly open. Even persons who are awake may not
h
ear the alarm horn if the sound is blocked by distance or closed doors.
N
oise from traffic, stereo, radio, television, air conditioner, or other appliances
may also prevent alert persons from hearing the alarm horn. This alarm
d
evice is not intended for people who are hearing impaired.
H
eat Alarms may not have time to alarm before the fire itself causes
d
amage, injury, or death, since heat from some fires may not reach the
unit immediately. Examples of this include persons smoking in bed,
c
hildren playing with matches, or fires caused by violent explosions
r
esulting from escaping gas.
T
his Heat Alarm is not foolproof.
L
ike any electronic device, Heat Alarms are
made of components that can wear out or fail at any time. You must test the
u
nit weekly to ensure your continued protection. Heat Alarms cannot prevent
o
r extinguish fire
s. They are
not a substitute for pro
perty or life insurance.
H
eat Alarms have a limited life.
T
he unit should be replaced immediately if it
is not operating properly. In no case should it be used for more than 10 years.
LIMITED WARRANTY
B
RK Brands, Inc., ("BRK") the maker of BRK
®
b
rand and First Alert
®
b
rand
p
roducts warrants that for a period of ten years from the date of purchase,
this product will be free from defects in material and workmanship. BRK, at
i
ts option, will repair or replace this product or any component of the product
f
ound to be defective during the warranty period. Replacement will be made
with a new or remanufactured product or component. If the product is no
l
onger available, replacement may be made with a similar product of equal
o
r gre
ater value. This is your exclusive warranty.
T
his warranty is valid for the original retail purchaser from the date of initial
r
etail purchase and is not transferable. Keep the original sales receipt. Proof
o
f purchase is required to obtain warranty performance. BRK dealers, service
c
enters, or retail stores selling BRK products do not have the right to alter,
modify or any way change the terms and conditions of this warranty
.
This warranty does not cover normal wear of parts or damage r
esulting fr
o
m
a
ny of the following: negligent use or misuse of the product, use on improper
v
oltage or current, use contrary to the operating instructions, disassembly,
repair or alteration by anyone other than BRK or an authorized service center.
F
urther, the warranty does not cover Acts of God, such as fir
e, flood,
h
urricanes and tornadoes or any batteries that are included with this unit.
B
RK shall not be liable for any incidental or consequential damages caused
by the br
each of any expr
ess or implied warranty
.
Except to the extent
p
rohibited by applicable law, any implied warranty of merchantability or
f
itness for a particular purpose is limited in duration to the duration of the
above warranty
. Some states, pr
ovinces or jurisdictions do not allow the
e
xclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages or limitations
on how long an implied warranty lasts, so the above limitations or exclusion
may not apply to you. This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you
m
ay also have other rights that vary fro
m state to state or province to
province.
How to Obtain Warranty Service
Ser
vice:
If service is r
equired, do not return the product to your retailer.
In order to obtain warranty service, contact the Consumer Affairs Division at
1
-800-323-9005, 7:30 AM - 5:00 PM Central Standard Time, Monday through
Friday
. T
o
assist us in serving you, please have the model number and date
of purchase available when calling.
F
or Warranty Service return to:
BRK Brands, Inc., 25 Spur Drive, El Paso, TX 79906
LISTED TO
UL 539
STANDARD
4
2
1
3