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SPECIAL COMPLIANCE CONSIDERATIONS
T
his Smoke Alarm alone is not a suitable substitute for complete fire detection
s
ystems in places housing many people—like apartment buildings, condo-
miniums, 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 specia
l-purpose non-residential buildings which require special fire
d
etection 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 types of buildings listed below:
In new construction, most building codes require the use of AC or AC/DC
powered 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 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
r
ooms
,
pr
ovided 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 su
itable for use inside individual sleeping/resident rooms, provided
a pr
i
mar
y fir
e detection system already exists to meet fire detection require-
ments 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
Smo
ke Alarms have played a key role in reducing deaths resulting from home
fires worldwide. However, like any warning device, Smoke Alarms can only
w
ork if they are properly located, installed, and maintained, and if smoke
reaches the Alarms. They are not foolproof.
Sm
oke alarms may not waken all individuals.
P
ractice the escape plan at
leas
t twice a year, making sure that everyone is involved – from kids to grand-
parents. Allow children to master fire escape planning and practice before
ho
lding a fire drill at night when they are sleeping. If children or others do not
r
eadily 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
assis
t them in fire drill and in the event of an emergency. It is recommended
t
hat you hold a fire drill while family members are sleeping in order to deter-
mine their response to the sound of the smoke alarm while sleeping and to
d
etermine 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
b
atteries 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
b
urns the electrical wires, etc.). If you are concerned about the limitations of
battery or AC power, install both types of units.
Sm
oke Alarms cannot detect fires if the smoke does not reach the
Al
arms.
Smo
ke 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.
T
hat is why one unit should be installed inside each bedroom or sleeping
ar
ea—especially if bedroom or sleeping area doors are closed at night—and
in the hallway between them.
Sm
oke 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
e
scape 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
pr
otection 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
syste
ms, 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 consumed
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.
ABOUT SMOKE ALARMS
B
attery (DC) operated Smoke Alarms:
P
rovide protection even when
electricity fails, provided the batteries are fresh and correctly installed. Units
ar
e easy to install, and do not require professional installation.
A
C powered Smoke Alarms:
C
an be interconnected so if one unit senses
smoke, all units alarm.They do not operate if electricity fails.
A
C with battery (DC) back-up:
w
ill operate if electricity fails, provided the
b
atteries 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
s
ystems:
A
C powered Smoke Alarms should only be operated with true or
p
ure sine wave inverters. Operating this Smoke Alarm with most battery-
powered UPS (uninterruptible power supply) products or square wave or
“
quasi sine wave” inverters
w
ill damage the Alarm
.
If you are not sure about
y
our inverter or UPS type, please consult with the manufacturer to verify.
Smoke Alarms for the hearing impaired: Special purpose Smoke Alarms
shou
ld be installed for the hearing impaired. They include a visual alarm and
a
n audible alarm horn, and meet the requirements of the Americans With
Disabilities Act. These units can be interconnected so if one unit senses
smo
ke, all units alarm.
Sm
oke alarms are not to be used with detector guards
u
nless the
combination has been evaluated and found suitable for that purpose.
Al
l these Smoke Alarms are designed to provide early warning of fires if located,
i
nstalled and cared for as described in the user’s manual, and if smoke reaches
the Alarm. If you are unsure which type of unit to install, refer to NFPA (National
F
ire Protection Association) 72 (National Fire Alarm Code) and NFPA 101 (Life
Sa
fety Code). National Fire Protection Association, One Batterymarch Park,
Quincy, MA 02269-9101.
Local building codes may also require specific units
i
n new construction or in different areas of the home.
7
Printed in Mexico M08-0134-002 K1 01/05
BRK
®
is a registered trademark of BRK Brands, Inc.
F
irst Alert
®
is a r
egistered trademark of the First Alert Trust.
LIMITED WARRANTY
BRK Brands, Inc., ("BRK") the maker of BRK
®
brand and First Alert
®
brand products, 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 its option, will repair or replace this product or any component of the product found to be defective during the
warranty period. Replacement will be made with a new or remanufactured product or component. If the product is no longer available, replacement may be made with a
similar product of equal or greater value. This is your exclusive warranty. This warranty is valid for the original retail purchaser from the date of initial retail purchase and is
no
t t
r
ansferable. Keep the original sales receipt. Proof of purchase is required to obtain warranty performance. BRK dealers, service centers, 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 resulting from any of the following: negligent use or misuse of the product, use on improper voltage or
curr
e
n
t
,
use contrary to the operating instructions, disassembly, repair or alteration by anyone other than BRK or an authorized service center. Further, the warranty does
not cover Acts of God, such as fire, flood, hurricanes and tornadoes or any batteries that are included with this unit.
B
R
K shall not be liable for any incidental or consequential damages caused by the breach of any express or implied warranty. Except to the extent prohibited by applica-
ble law, any implied warranty of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose is limited in duration to the duration of the above warranty. Some states, provinces or
j
urisdictions do not allow the exclusion 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 may also have other rights that vary from state to state or province to province.
How to Obtain Warranty Service
Service: If service is required, 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. To assist us in serving you, please have the model number and date of purchase available when
ca
l
l
i
ng
.
3
03 N
elson
Avenue, Neosho, MO 64850-8806.
B
attery:
B
RK Brands, Inc. make no warranty, express or implied, written or oral, including that of merchantability or fitness for any particular purpose with respect to battery.