Smoke Alarm - Kidde KN-COSM-B-RF User Manual

three batteries

Smoke Alarm

The smoke alarm monitors the air for combustion particles that
are produced when something is burning or smoldering. When
combustion particles in the smoke sensor reach a specified
concentration, the alarm/voice message warning system will
sound, and be accompanied by the flashing red LED.
The smoke alarm takes precedence when both smoke
and carbon monoxide are present.
NFPA 72 states: Life safety from fire in residential occupancies
is based primarily on early notification to occupants of the
need to escape, followed by the appropriate egress actions by
those occupants. Fire warning systems for dwelling units are
capable of protecting about half of the occupants in potentially
fatal fires. Victims are often intimate with the fire, too old or
young, or physically or mentally impaired such that they cannot
escape even when warned early enough that escape should be
possible. For these people, other strategies such as protection-
in-place or assisted escape or rescue are necessary.
Smoke alarms are devices that can provide early warning
of possible fires at a reasonable cost; however, alarms have
sensing limitations. Ionization-sensing alarms may detect
invisible fire particles (associated with fast, flaming fires) sooner
than photoelectric alarms. Photoelectric-sensing alarms may
detect visible fire particles (associated with slow, smoldering
fires) sooner than ionization alarms. Home fires develop in
different ways and are often unpredictable. For maximum
protection, Kidde recommends that both ionization and
photoelectric alarms be installed.
A battery-powered alarm must have a battery of the specified
type, in good condition and installed properly.
20 Product Features and Specifications − Smoke Alarm