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be heaters, radiators, stoves, barbeques, fireplaces,
sunlight, steam vents, lighting and so on.
Power Failure
Control units, intrusion detectors, smoke detectors
and many other security devices require an adequate
power supply for proper operation. If a device
operates from batteries, it is possible for the batteries
to fail. Even if the batteries have not failed, they must
be charged, in good condition and installed correctly.
If a device operates only by AC power, any
interruption, however brief, will render that device
inoperative while it does not have power. Power
interruptions of any length are often accompanied by
voltage fluctuations which may damage electronic
equipment such as a security system. After a power
interruption has occurred, immediately conduct a
complete system test to ensure that the system
operates as intended.
Security and Insurance
Regardless of its capabilities, an alarm system is not a
substitute for property or life insurance. An alarm
system also is not a substitute for property owners,
renters, or other occupants to act prudently to prevent
or minimize the harmful effects of an emergency
situation.
Smoke Detectors
Smoke detectors that are a part of this system may
not properly alert occupants of a fire for a number of
reasons, some of which follow. The smoke detectors
may have been improperly installed or positioned.
Smoke may not be able to reach the smoke
detectors, such as when the fire is in a chimney, walls
or roofs, or on the other side of closed doors. Smoke
detectors may not detect smoke from fires on
another level of the residence or building.
Every fire is different in the amount of smoke
produced and the rate of burning. Smoke detectors
cannot sense all types of fires equally well. Smoke
detectors may not provide timely warning of fires
caused by carelessness or safety hazards such as
smoking in bed, violent explosions, escaping gas,
improper storage of flammable materials, overloaded
electrical circuits, children playing with matches, or
arson.
Even if the smoke detector operates as intended,
there may be circumstances when there is
insufficient warning to allow all occupants to escape
in time to avoid injury or death.
Telephone Lines
If telephone lines are used to transmit alarms, they
may be out of service or busy for certain periods of
time. Also an intruder may cut the telephone line or
defeat its operation by more sophisticated means
which may be difficult to detect.
Warning Devices
Warning devices such as sirens, bells, horns, or
strobes may not warn people or waken someone
sleeping if there is an intervening wall or door. If
warning devices are located on a different level of the
residence or premise, then it is less likely that the
occupants will be alerted or awakened. Audible
warning devices may be interfered with by other
noise sources such as stereos, radios, televisions, air
conditioners, other appliances, or passing traffic.
Audible warning devices, however loud, may not be
heard by a hearing-impaired person.
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