Limitations Of Alarm Products - 2gig Technologies EDGE User Manual

Limitations of Alarm Products

This security system cannot offer guaranteed protection against burglary, fire, or other emergencies. Any alarm, whether
commercial or residential, is subject to compromise or failure to warn for a variety of reasons . For example:
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Intruders may gain access through unprotected openings or have the technical sophistication to bypass an
alarm sensor or disconnect an alarm warning device .
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Intrusion detectors (sensors) do not work without power . Battery operated devices do not work without batteries,
with dead batteries, or if the batteries are not put in properly . Devices powered solely by AC do not work if their
AC power supply is cut off for any reason, however briefly.
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Signals sent by wireless sensors may be blocked or reflected by metal before they reach the alarm Control
Panel, even if the signal path has been recently checked during a weekly test .
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Blockage can occur if a metal object has been moved into the sensor's signal path .
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A user may not be able to reach a panic or emergency button quickly enough .
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Cellular or broadband network is needed to transmit alarm signals from a premises to a Central Station may be
out of service or temporarily out of service . Telephone lines are also subject to compromise by sophisticated
intruders .
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Even if the system responds to the emergency as intended, however, occupants may have insufficient time to
protect themselves from the emergency situation . In the case of a monitored alarm system, authorities may not
respond appropriately .
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Alarm warning devices such as sirens, bells, or horns may not alert people or wake up sleepers if they are
located on the other side of closed or partly open doors . If warning devices sound on a different level of the
residence from the bedrooms, then they are less likely to waken or alert people inside the bedrooms . Even
persons who are awake may not hear the warning if the alarm is muffled from a stereo, radio, air conditioner,
or other appliance, or by passing traffic. Finally, alarm warning devices, however loud, may not warn hearing-
impaired people or awaken deep sleepers .
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While smoke detectors have played a key role in reducing residential fire deaths, they may not activate
or provide early warning for a variety of reasons in as many as 35% of all fires. This is 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 where smoke cannot reach the detectors, such as in chimneys,
in walls, or roofs, or on the other side of closed doors . Smoke detectors may have been improperly installed
and positioned. Smoke detectors also may not sense a fire on another level of a residence or building. A
second-floor detector, for example, may not sense a first floor or basement fire. Moreover, 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 flammable materials, overloaded electrical circuits, children playing with
matches or arson. Depending upon the nature of the fire and/or the locations of the smoke detectors, the
detector, even if it operates as anticipated, may not provide sufficient warning to allow occupants to escape in
time to prevent injury or death .
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This equipment, like other electrical devices, is subject to component failure . Even though this equipment is
designed to last as long as ten years, 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.
Although installing an alarm system may make homeowners eligible for lower insurance rates, an alarm system is not
a substitute for insurance . Homeowners, property owners, and renters should continue to act prudently in protecting
themselves and continue to insure their lives and property .
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