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13. Limitations of Smoke/Heat Alarms
Warning! Alarms are devices that can provide early warning of possible fires at a rea-
sonable cost; however, alarms have sensing limitations. Ionisation type alarms offer a
broad range of fire sensing capability but are better at detecting fast flaming
fires
than slow smouldering fires. Optical (Photo-electric) alarms sense slow smouldering
fires
better than flaming fires. Home fires develop in different ways and are often unpre-
dictable. Neither type of alarm (Photo-electric or Ionisation) is always best, and a
given alarm may not always provide warning of a fire.
Heat alarms are triggered when a temperature of 57°C is reached – they must always
be used in conjunction and interconnected to smoke alarms.
Loose batteries, where fitted must be of the specified type, in good condition and
installed properly.
AC only powered alarms will not operate if AC power has been cut off such as by an
electrical fire, an open fuse or loss of mains supply.
All alarms must be tested regularly to make sure the batteries and the alarm circuits
are in good operating condition.
Smoke alarms cannot provide an alarm if smoke does not reach the unit. Therefore,
smoke alarms may not sense fires starting in chimneys, walls, on roofs, on the other
side of a closed door or on a different floor. If the alarm is located outside the bed-
room or on a different floor, it may not wake up a sound sleeper. Equally heat alarms
will only be triggered if they are correctly sited to detect heat. The use of
alcohol or
drugs may also impair ones ability to hear the alarm. For maximum protection
a smoke
alarm should be installed in each sleeping area on every level of a home. Hearing
impaired occupiers should consider fitting additional strobe accessories to give a
visual alarm.
Although smoke/heat alarms can help save lives by providing an early warning of a
fire, they are not a substitute for an insurance policy. Home owners and renters
should have adequate insurance to protect their property.
If after reviewing this manual you feel that your smoke alarm is defective in any way,
do not tamper with the unit. Return it prepaid for servicing to: Kidde Safety Europe,
Mathisen Way, Colnbrook, SL3 0HB, UK – Email: info@kiddesafety.co.uk, or refer to
your installer or Landlord.
Guarantee
Kidde Fyrnetics guarantees to you as a purchaser that the enclosed smoke alarm will be
free of defects in material, workmanship or design under normal use and service for a
period of 6 years, excluding any loose batery supplied. This extends to 10 years on Hard
Wired Rechargeable/Long Life, products (from the date of installation) including the back
up battery/powercell.
The Guarantee is not assignable. Our liability to you, under this guarantee is limited to
repairing or replacing any part which we find to be defective in material, workmanship or
design, free of charge to the customer, who is situated within the UK, upon sending the
alarm with proof of date of purchase, postage prepaid, to Kidde Safety Europe, Mathisen
Way, Colnbrook, SL3 0HB, UK.
The terms of this guarantee will not apply in the following circumstances: If alarm has
been damaged, modified, neglected, dismantled, contaminated, abused or altered after
the date of purchase, or if it fails to operate due to incorrect selection, siting, installation,
maintenance or inadequate AC or DC electrical power,or damage caused by failure to
abide by the instructions supplied.
The liability of Kidde Fyrnetics, arising from the sale of this alarm or under the terms of
this guarantee shall not in any case exceed the cost of replacement of the alarm, in no
case, shall be liable for consequential loss or damaged resulting from the failure of the
alarm or for the breach of this or any other guarantee, express or implied, or for damaged
caused by failure to abide by the instructions supplied. This guarantee does not affect
your statutory rights.
Kidde Fyrnetics makes no guarantee, express or implied, written or oral, including that of
satisfactory quality or fitness for any particular purpose, with respect to the battery,
except built-in rechargeable/Long Life cells.
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14. Service and Guarantee