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Chapter 12
12.0 Installer Warning
Warning Please Read Carefully
Note To Installers:
This warning contains vital information. As the only individual in contact with system users, it is your responsibility to bring each item in this warning to the attention of the users of this system.
System Failures
This system has been carefully designed to be as effective as possible. There are circumstances, however, involving fire, burglary, or other types of emergencies where it may not provide protection. Any alarm
system of any type may be compromised deliberately or may fail to operate as expected for a variety of reasons. Some but not all of these reasons may be:
Inadequate Installation
A security system must be installed properly in order to provide adequate protection. Every installation should be evaluated by a security professional to ensure that all access points and areas are covered. Locks
and latches on windows and doors must be secure and operate as intended. Windows, doors, walls, ceilings and other building materials must be of sufficient strength and construction to provide the level of pro-
tection expected. A reevaluation must be done during and after any construction activity. An evaluation by the fire and/or police department is highly recommended if this service is available.
Criminal Knowledge
This system contains security features which were known to be effective at the time of manufacture. It is possible for persons with criminal intent to develop techniques which reduce the effectiveness of these
features. It is important that a security system be reviewed periodically to ensure that its features remain effective and that it be updated or replaced if it is found that it does not provide the protection expected.
Access by Intruders
Intruders may enter through an unprotected access point, circumvent a sensing device, evade detection by moving through an area of insufficient coverage, disconnect a warning device, or interfere with or prevent
the proper operation of the system.
Power Failure
Control units, intrusion detectors, smoke detectors and many other security devices require an adequate power supply for proper operation. If a device operates from batteries, it is possible for the batteries to fail.
Even if the batteries have not failed, they must be charged, in good condition and installed correctly. If a device operates only by AC power, any interruption, however brief, will render that device inoperative
while it does not have power. Power interruptions of any length are often accompanied by voltage fluctuations which may damage electronic equipment such as a security system. After a power interruption has
occurred, immediately conduct a complete system test to ensure that the system operates as intended.
Failure of Replaceable Batteries
This system's wireless transmitters have been designed to provide several years of battery life under normal conditions. The expected battery life is a function of the device environment, usage and type. Ambient
conditions such as high humidity, high or low temperatures, or large temperature fluctuations may reduce the expected battery life. While each transmitting device has a low battery monitor which identifies when
the batteries need to be replaced, this monitor may fail to operate as expected. Regular testing and maintenance will keep the system in good operating condition.
Compromise of Radio Frequency (Wireless) Devices
Signals may not reach the receiver under all circumstances which could include metal objects placed on or near the radio path or deliberate jamming or other inadvertent radio signal interference.
System Users
A user may not be able to operate a panic or emergency switch possibly due to permanent or temporary physical disability, inability to reach the device in time, or unfamiliarity with the correct operation. It is
important that all system users be trained in the correct operation of the alarm system and that they know how to respond when the system indicates an alarm.
Smoke Detectors
Smoke detectors that are a part of this system may not properly alert occupants of a fire for a number of reasons, some of which follow. The smoke detectors may have been improperly installed or positioned.
Smoke may not be able to reach the smoke detectors, such as when the fire is in a chimney, walls or roofs, or on the other side of closed doors. Smoke detectors may not detect smoke from fires on another level
of the residence or building.
Every fire is different in the amount of smoke produced and the rate of burning. Smoke detectors cannot sense all types of fires equally well. Smoke detectors may not provide timely warning of fires caused by
carelessness or safety hazards such as smoking in bed, violent explosions, escaping gas, improper storage of flammable materials, overloaded electrical circuits, children playing with matches or arson.
Even if the smoke detector operates as intended, there may be circumstances when there is insufficient warning to allow all occupants to escape in time to avoid injury or death.
Motion Detectors
Motion detectors can only detect motion within the designated areas as shown in their respective installation instructions. They cannot discriminate between intruders and intended occupants. Motion detectors do
not provide volumetric area protection. They have multiple beams of detection and motion can only be detected in unobstructed areas covered by these beams. They cannot detect motion which occurs behind walls,
ceilings, floor, closed doors, glass partitions, glass doors or windows. Any type of tampering whether intentional or unintentional such as masking, painting, or spraying of any material on the lenses, mirrors, win-
dows or any other part of the detection system will impair its proper operation.
Passive infrared motion detectors operate by sensing changes in temperature. However their effectiveness can be reduced when the ambient temperature rises near or above body temperature or if there are inten-
tional or unintentional sources of heat in or near the detection area. Some of these heat sources could be heaters, radiators, stoves, barbeques, fireplaces, sunlight, steam vents, lighting and so on.
Warning Devices
Warning devices such as sirens, bells, horns, or strobes may not warn people or waken someone sleeping if there is an intervening wall or door. If warning devices are located on a different level of the residence
or premise, then it is less likely that the occupants will be alerted or awakened. Audible warning devices may be interfered with by other noise sources such as stereos, radios, televisions, air conditioners or
other appliances, or passing traffic. Audible warning devices, however loud, may not be heard by a hearing-impaired person.
Telephone Lines
If telephone lines are used to transmit alarms, they may be out of service or busy for certain periods of time. Also an intruder may cut the telephone line or defeat its operation by more sophisticated means which
may be difficult to detect.
Insufficient Time
There may be circumstances when the system will operate as intended, yet the occupants will not be protected from the emergency due to their inability to respond to the warnings in a timely manner. If the sys-
tem is monitored, the response may not occur in time to protect the occupants or their belongings.
Component Failure
Although every effort has been made to make this system as reliable as possible, the system may fail to function as intended due to the failure of a component.
Inadequate Testing
Most problems that would prevent an alarm system from operating as intended can be found by regular testing and maintenance. The complete system should be tested weekly and immediately after a break-in, an
attempted break-in, a fire, a storm, an earthquake, an accident, or any kind of construction activity inside or outside the premises. The testing should include all sensing devices, keypads, consoles, alarm indic-
ating devices and any other operational devices that are part of the system.
Security and Insurance
Regardless of its capabilities, an alarm system is not a substitute for property or life insurance. An alarm system also is not a substitute for property owners, renters, or other occupants to act prudently to prevent
or minimize the harmful effects of an emergency situation.
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