ADEMCO Vista-20 Installation Instructions Manual page 113

WARNING
THE LIMITATIONS OF THIS ALARM
SYSw
While this
System is an advanced design security system, it does not offer guaranteed protection against
burglary, fire or other emergency. Any alarm system, whether commercial or residential, is subject to
compromiseor failure to warnfor a varietyof reasons.For example:
Intrusion detectors (e.g., passive infrared detectors), smoke detectors, and memy other sensing devices wilI
not work without power. Battwyoperated devices will not work without batteries, with dead batteries, or if
the batteries are not put in properly. Devices powered solely by AC will not work if their AC power supply is
cut off for any reaso% however briefly.
Signals cent by wireless transmitters may be blocked or reflected by metal before they reach the alarm
receiver. Even if the signal path has been recently checked during a weekly test, blockage can occur if a
metal object is moved into the path.
A user may not be able to reach a panic or emergency button quickly enough.
While smoke detectors have played a key role in reducing residential fire deaths in the United States, they
may not activate or provide early warning for a variety of reasons in as many as 35% of all tires, according to
data published by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Some of the reasons smoke detectors used in
conjunction with this System may not work are as follows. Smoke detectors may have been improperly
installed and positioned. Smoke detectors may not sense fires that start where smoke cannot reach the
detectors, such as in chimneys, in walls, or roofs, or on the other side of closed doors. Smoke detectors also
may not sense a fire on enother level of a residence or building. A second floor detector, for example, may not
sense a first floor or basement fire. Finally, smoke detectors have sensing limitations. No smoke detector can
sense every kind of fire every time. In general, detectors may not always warn about fires caused by
carelessness and safety hazards like smoking in bed, violent explosions, escaping gas, improper storage of
fl ammable materials, overloaded electrical circuits, children playing with matches, or arson. Depending on
the nature of the 15.re and/or location of the smoke detectors, the detector, even if it operates as anticipated,
may not provide sficient warning to allow.all occupants to escape in time In prevent injury or death.
Passive Infrared Motion Detectors can only detect intrusion within the designed ranges as diagramed in
their installation manual. Passive Infkared Detectors do not provide volumetric area protection. They do
create multiple beams of protectio% and intrusion can only be detected in unobstructed areas covered by
those beams. They cannot detect motion or intrusion that takes place behind walls, ceilings, floors, closed
doors, glass partitions, glass doora,or windows. Mechanical tampering, masking, painting or spraying of eny
material on the mirrors, windows or any part of the optical system can reduce their detection ability. Passive
In.fiered Detectors sense changes in temperature; however, as the ambient temperature of the protected area
approaches the temperature range of 90° to 105"F (32° to 40"C), the detection performance can decrease.
Alarm warning devices such as sirens, bells or horns may not alert people or wake up sleepera if they are
located on the other side of closed or partly open doors. If warning devices are located on a difYerentlevel of
the residence from the bedrooms, then they are less likely to waken or alert people inside the bedrooms. Even
persona who are awake may not hear the warning if the alarm is mutlled by noise from a stereo, radio, air
conditioner or other appliance, or by passing trafhc. Finally, alarm warning devices, however loud, may not
warn hearing-impaired people.
Telephone lines needed to transnu .t alarm signals from a premises to a central monitoring station maybe out
of setice or temporarily out of service. Telephone Iines are also subject to compromise by sophisticated
intruders.
Even if the system responds to the emergency as intended, however, occupants may have insufficient time to
protect themselves ffom the emergency situation. In the case of a monitored alarm system, authorities may
not respond appropriately.
This equipment, like other electrical devices, is subject to component failure. Even though this equipment is
designed to last as long as 20 yeere, the electronic components could fail
at any time.
The most common cause of an alarm system not functioning when an intrusion or fire occurs is inadequate
maintenance. This alarm system should be tested weekly to make sure all eemore and tianemittera are working
properly. The security keypad (and remote keypad) should be teated as well.
Wireless transmitters (used in some systems) are designed to provide long battery life under normal operating
conditions. Longevity of batteries
maY be as
much as 4 to 7
Years,
depending on the environment usage, and the
spedc
wireless device being used. External factors such as humidity, high or low temperatures, as well as large
swings in temperature, may all reduce the actual battery life in a given installation. This wireless system,
however, can identi a true low battery situation, thus allowing time to arrange a change of battery to
meintain protection for that given point within the system.
Installing an alarm system
maY
make the
owner eligible for a lower insurance rate, but en alarm system is not
a substitute for insurance, Homeovmers, property owners and renters should continue to act prudently in
protecting themselves and continue to insure their lives and propem.
We continue to develop new and improved protection devices. Ueere of alarm systems owe it to themselves and
their loved ones to learn about these develoDmente.
-113-