First Alert 83R User Manual

USER'S MANUAL
SMOKE AND FIRE* ALARMS
Model 83R
IMPORTANT!
PLEASE READ CAREFULLY AND SAVE.
This user's manual contains important information about your Smoke
Alarm's operation. If you are installing this Smoke Alarm for use by
others, you must leave this manual-or a copy of it-with the end user.
M08-0053-001 A 03/03
THIS USER'S MANUAL HAS BEEN RESIZED TO PRINT
OUT ON 8-1/2 x 11" PAGES.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Fire Safety Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
Before You Install This Smoke Alarm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
How To Install This Smoke Alarm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Weekly Testing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Regular Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
If This Smoke Alarm Sounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
What To Do In Case Of Fire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
If You Suspect A Problem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Limited Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Recommended Locations For Smoke Alarms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Locations To Avoid For Smoke Alarms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
About Smoke Alarms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Special Compliance Considerations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Limitations Of Smoke Alarms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
All Rights Reserved. © 2003 BRK Brands, Inc.
BRK Brands, Inc., 3901 Liberty Street Road, Aurora, IL 60504-8122
Consumer Affairs: (800) 323-9005 • www.brkelectronics.com • www.firstalert.com
*All BRK ® and First Alert ® Smoke Alarms conform to regulatory
requirements, including UL217 and are designed to detect particles
of combustion. Smoke particles of varying number and size are
produced in all fires.
Ionization technology is generally more sensitive than photoelectric
technology at detecting small particles, which tend to be produced
in greater amounts by flaming fires, which consume combustible
materials rapidly and spread quickly. Sources of these fires may include
paper burning in a wastebasket, or a grease fire in the kitchen.
Photoelectric technology is generally more sensitive than ionization
technology at detecting large particles, which tend to be produced
in greater amounts by smoldering fires, which may smolder for
hours before bursting into flame. Sources of these fires may include ciga-
rettes burning in couches or bedding.
For maximum protection, use both types of Smoke Alarms on each
level and in every bedroom of your home.

FIRE SAFETY TIPS

Follow safety rules and prevent hazardous situations: 1) Use smoking
materials properly. Never smoke in bed. 2) Keep matches or lighters away
from children; 3) Store flammable materials in proper containers; 4) Keep
electrical appliances in good condition and don't overload electrical cir-
cuits; 5) Keep stoves, barbecue grills, fireplaces and chimneys grease- and
debris-free; 6) Never leave anything cooking on the stove unattended;
7) Keep portable heaters and open flames, like candles, away from flam-
mable materials; 8) Don't let rubbish accumulate.
Keep alarms clean, and test them weekly. Replace alarms immediately if
they are not working properly. Smoke Alarms that do not work cannot alert
you to a fire. Keep at least one working fire extinguisher on every floor, and
an additional one in the kitchen. Have fire escape ladders or other reliable
means of escape from an upper floor in case stairs are blocked.
Model SA67B
Models
83R, SA67B
BEFORE YOU INSTALL THIS SMOKE
ALARM
IMPORTANT! Read "Recommended Locations for Smoke Alarms" and
"Locations to Avoid for Smoke Alarms" before beginning. This unit
monitors the air, and when smoke reaches its sensing chamber, it
alarms. It can give you more time to escape before fire spreads. This
unit can ONLY give an early warning of developing fires if it is installed,
maintained and located where smoke can reach it, and where all resi-
dents can hear it, as described in this manual. This unit will not sense
gas, heat, or flame. It cannot prevent or extinguish fires.
Understand The Different Type of Smoke Alarms
Battery powered or electrical? Different Smoke Alarms provide
different types of protection. See "About Smoke Alarms" for details.
Know Where To Install Your Smoke Alarms
Fire Safety Professionals recommend at least one Smoke Alarm on
every level of your home, in every bedroom, and in every bedroom hall-
way or separate sleeping area. See "Recommended Locations For
Smoke Alarms" and "Locations To Avoid For Smoke Alarms" for details.
Know What Smoke Alarms Can and Can't Do
A Smoke Alarm can help alert you to fire, giving you precious time to
escape. It can only sound an alarm once smoke reaches the sensor.
See "Limitations of Smoke Alarms" for details.
Check Your Local Building Codes
This Smoke Alarm is designed to be used in a typical single-family
home. It alone will not meet requirements for boarding houses, apart-
ment buildings, hotels or motels. See "Special Compliance
Considerations" for details.
• This unit will not alert hearing impaired residents. It is recom-
mended that you install special units which use devices like flash-
ing strobe lights to alert hearing impaired residents.
• Do not connect this unit to any other alarm or auxiliary device. It
is a single-station unit that cannot be linked to other devices.
Connecting anything else to this unit may prevent it from working
properly.
• Unit will not operate without battery power. The Smoke Alarm
cannot work until you install the battery in the correct position
(Match "+" to "+" and "-" to "-").
• This Smoke Alarm has a battery guard which prevents it from
closing unless a battery is installed. This warns you the unit will
not operate without a battery.
• Do not install this unit over an electrical junction box. Air cur-
rents around junction boxes can prevent smoke from reaching
the sensing chambers and prevent the unit from alarming. Only
AC powered units are intended for installation over junction
boxes.
• Do not stand too close to the unit when the alarm is sounding. It
is loud to wake you in an emergency. Exposure to the horn at
close range may harm your hearing.
Do not paint over the unit. Paint may clog the openings to the sens-
•
ing chambers and prevent the unit from operating properly.
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