Kidde KN-COSM-BCA User Manual page 9

Features
Smoke Alarm
The smoke alarm constantly monitors the air for
products of combustion that are produced when
something is burning or smoldering. When smoke
particles in the smoke sensor reach a specified
concentration, the alarm/voice message warning system
will sound, accompanied by the flashing red LED light.
NOTE: The smoke alarm takes precedence when both
smoke and carbon monoxide are present.
This unit has a smoke sensor that uses the ionization
technology.
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
both ionization and photoelectric smoke alarms be installed.
CAUTION: Smoke must reach the sensor to be detected.
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. The alarm may be unable to wake a sound
sleeper, or someone impaired by alcohol or drugs.
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