Kidde PI9010 - Smoke Alarm Manual

Introduction

9 Volt Battery Operated Photoelectric/Ionization Smoke Alarm with "HUSH" Control to temporarily silence nuisance alarms.
The Ion portion of this alarm detects products of combustion using the ionization technique. It contains 0.9 microcurie of Americium 241, a radioactive material. Distributed under U.S.
NRC License No. 32-23858-01E. Manufactured in compliance with U.S. NRC safety criteria in 10 CFR 32.27. The purchaser is exempt from any regulatory requirements. Do not try to repair the smoke alarm yourself.

BATTERY DOOR WILL NOT CLOSE UNLESS BATTERY IS PRESENT. REMOVAL OF BATTERY WILL RENDER THE SMOKE ALARM INOPERATIVE.

READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE INSTALLATION AND KEEP THIS USER GUIDE NEAR THE ALARM FOR FUTURE REFERENCE.

RECOMMENDED LOCATIONS FOR SMOKE ALARMS

• Locate the first alarm in the immediate area of the sleeping rooms. Try to monitor the exit path as the sleeping rooms are usually farthest from the exit. If more than one sleeping area exists, locate additional alarms in each sleeping area (See figure 3).
• Locate additional alarms to monitor any stairway as stairways act like chimneys for smoke and heat.
• Locate at least one alarm on every floor level.
• Locate an alarm in every sleeping room.
• Locate an alarm in every room where electrical appliances are operated (i.e. portable heaters or humidifiers).
• Locate an alarm in every room where someone sleeps with the door closed. The closed door may prevent an alarm not located in that room from waking the sleeper.
• Smoke, heat, and combustion products rise to the ceiling and spread horizontally. Mounting the smoke alarm on the ceiling in the center of the room places it closest to all points in the room. Ceiling mounting is preferred in ordinary residential construction.
• For mobile home installation, select locations carefully to avoid thermal barriers that may form at the ceiling. For more details, see MOBILE HOME INSTALLATION below.
• When mounting an alarm on the ceiling, locate it at a minimum of 4" (10 cm) from the side wall (see figure 1).
• When mounting the alarm on the wall, use an inside wall with the top edge of the alarm at a minimum of 4" (10 cm) and a maximum of 12" (30.5 cm) below the ceiling (see figure 1).
• Put smoke alarms at both ends of a hallway or large room if the hallway or room is more than 30 ft (9.1 m) long. For large rooms, one smoke alarm is recommended for every 500 square feet of floor space.
• In homes that are not well insulated, extreme heat or cold can be transferred from the outside to the inside through poorly insulated walls and roof. This may create a thermal barrier which can prevent the smoke from reaching an alarm mounted on the ceiling. If you are not sure about the insulation in your home, or if you notice that the outer walls and ceiling are either hot or cold, install the alarm on an inside wall. In such homes, install the smoke alarm with the top edge of the alarm at a minimum of 4" (10 cm) and a maximum of 12" (30.5 cm) below the ceiling (see figure 1).
• Install Smoke Alarms on sloped, peaked or cathedral ceilings at or within 3ft (0.9m) of the highest point (measured horizontally). NFPA 72 states: "Smoke alarms in rooms with ceiling slopes greater than 1 ft in 8 ft (.3m in 2.4 m) horizontally shall be located on the high side of the room." NFPA 72 states: "A row of detectors shall be spaced and located within 3 ft (0.9m) of the peak of the ceiling measured horizontally" (see figure 2).
• Install Smoke Alarms on tray-shaped ceilings (coffered ceilings) on the highest portion of the ceiling or on the sloped portion of the ceiling within 12" (305mm) vertically down from the highest point (see figure 4).

Mobile Home Installation

Modern mobile homes have been designed and built to be energy efficient. Install smoke alarms as recommended above (refer to RECOMMENDED LOCATIONS and Figures 1 and 2). In older mobile homes that are not well insulated compared to present standards, extreme heat or cold can be transferred from the outside to the inside through poorly insulated walls and roof. This may create a thermal barrier which can prevent the smoke from reaching an alarm mounted on the ceiling. In such units, install the smoke alarm on an inside wall with the top edge of the alarm at a minimum of 4" (10cm) and a maximum of 12" (30.5cm) below the ceiling (see figure 1).
If you are not sure about the insulation in your mobile home, or if you notice that the outer walls and ceiling are either hot or cold, install the alarm on an inside wall. For minimum protection, install at least one alarm close to the sleeping rooms. For additional protection, see SINGLE FLOOR PLAN in figure 2.

TEST YOUR SMOKE ALARM OPERATION AFTER RV OR MOBILE HOME VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN STORAGE, BEFORE EACH TRIP AND AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK DURING USE.

LOCATIONS TO AVOID

• In the garage. Products of combustion are present when you start your automobile.
• Less than 4" (10cm) from the peak of an "A" frame type ceiling.
• In an area where the temperature may fall below 40ºF or rise above 100ºF, such as garages and unfinished attics; this should also include electrical boxes exposed to these environments.
• In dusty areas. Dust particles may cause nuisance alarm or failure to alarm.
• In very humid areas (greater than 95% RH, non-condensing). Moisture or steam can cause nuisance alarms.
• In insect-infested areas.
• Smoke alarms should not be installed within 3 ft (.9m) of the following: the door to a kitchen, the door to a bathroom containing a tub or shower, forced air supply ducts used for heating or cooling, ceiling or whole house ventilating fans, or other high air flow areas.
• Kitchens. Normal cooking may cause nuisance alarms. If a kitchen alarm is desired, it should have an alarm silence feature or be a photoelectric type.
• Near fluorescent lights. Electronic "noise" may cause nuisance alarms.
• Smoke alarms are not to be used with detector guards unless the combination (alarm and guard) has been evaluated and found suitable for that purpose.

INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS

THIS UNIT IS SEALED. THE COVER IS NOT REMOVABLE!

1. Remove the mounting plate from the back of the alarm by holding the mounting plate and twisting the alarm in the direction indicated by the "OFF" arrow on the alarm cover.
2. To insure aesthetic alignment of the alarm with the hallway or wall, the "A" line on the mounting plate should be parallel with the hallway when ceiling mounting or horizontal when wall mounting
   
   When mounting in a hallway, the "A" line should be parallel with the hallway.
   When wall mounting, the "A" line should be horizontal.
3. After selecting the proper smoke alarm location as described in RECOMMENDED LOCATIONS FOR SMOKE ALARMS section, attach the mounting plate to the ceiling as shown in figure 4. For wall mounting see figure 4. Place mounting plate on the wall. Be sure the "A" line is horizontal. Use the screws and anchors provided to secure the mounting plate (use 3/16" drill bit for anchor holes).
4. Battery installation instructions are provided on the inside of the battery door. To ensure proper installation of the smoke alarm battery, follow the instructions.
5. When installing the battery, press the battery reminder finger down into the battery compartment and install the battery (see figure 5).
   
   
   IF THE BATTERY REMINDER FINGER IS NOT HELD DOWN IN THE BATTERY COMPARTMENT BY THE BATTERY, THE BATTERY DOOR WILL NOT CLOSE AND THE UNIT WILL NOT ATTACH TO THE MOUNTING BRACKET.
6. Install the alarm on the trim ring and rotate the alarm in the direction of the "ON" arrow on the cover until the alarm ratchets into place (this ratcheting function allows for aesthetic alignment).

TAMPER RESIST FEATURE: To make your smoke alarm tamper resistant, a tamper resist feature has been provided. Activate the tamper resist feature by breaking off the four posts in the square holes in the trim ring (see figure 6). When the posts are broken off, the tamper resist tab on the base is allowed to engage the mounting bracket. Rotate the alarm onto the trim ring until you hear the tamper resist tab snap into place, locking the alarm on the trim ring. Using the tamper resist feature will help deter children and others from removing the alarm from trim ring. NOTE: To remove the alarm when the tamper resist tab is engaged, press down on the tamper resist tab, and rotate the alarm off of the trim ring (see figure 6).

After installation, test your alarm by depressing and holding down the test button for at least 5 seconds. This should sound the alarm.
OPERATION: The smoke alarm is operating once a fresh battery is installed and testing is complete. When products of combustion are sensed, the unit sounds a loud 85db pulsating alarm until the air is cleared.

OPERATION AND TESTING

HUSH CONTROL: The "HUSH" feature has the capability of temporarily desensitizing the alarm circuit for approximately 10 minutes. This feature is to be used only when a known alarm condition, such as smoke from cooking activates the alarm. The smoke alarm is desensitized by pushing the "HUSH" button on the smoke alarm cover. If the smoke is not too dense, the alarm will silence immediately and the red LED will flash every 10 seconds for approximately 10 minutes. This indicates that the alarm is in a temporarily desensitized condition. The smoke alarm will automatically reset after approximately 10 minutes, and sound the alarm if smoke is still present. The "HUSH" feature can be used repeatedly until the air has been cleared of the condition causing the alarm.
NOTE: DENSE SMOKE WILL OVERRIDE THE HUSH CONTROL FEATURE AND SOUND A CONTINUOUS ALARM.

BEFORE USING THE ALARM HUSH FEATURE, IDENTIFY THE SOURCE OF THE SMOKE AND BE CERTAIN A SAFE CONDITION EXISTS.
LED INDICATOR: This smoke alarm is equipped with a red LED indicator. The red LED is located under the test button and has several modes of operation.

SMOKE SENSING CHAMBER OPERATION: This alarm will "chirp" if any of the components in the smoke sensing chamber fail. This chirp will occur between the flashes of the red LED indicator light. (If the chirp occurs at the same time as the red LED flash, see for low battery information).

TESTING: Test by pushing the test button on the cover and hold it down for a minimum of 5 seconds. This will sound the alarm if the electronic circuitry and horn and battery are working. If no alarm sounds, the unit has defective batteries or other failure. DO NOT use an open flame to test your alarm, you could damage the alarm or ignite combustible materials and start a structure fire.
TEST THE ALARM WEEKLY TO ENSURE PROPER OPERATION. Erratic or low sound coming from your alarm may indicate a defective alarm, and it should be returned for service.
NOTE: WEEKLY TESTING IS REQUIRED.

NUISANCE ALARMS

Smoke alarms are designed to minimize nuisance alarms. Cigarette smoke will not normally set off the alarm, unless the smoke is blown directly into the alarm. Combustion particles from cooking may set off the alarm if the alarm is located close to the cooking area. Large quantities of combustible particles are generated from spills or when broiling. Using the fan on a range hood which vents to the outside (non-recirculating type) will also help remove these combustible products from the kitchen.
If the alarm does sound, check for fires first. If a fire is discovered, get out and call the fire department. If no fire is present, check to see if one of the reasons listed in LOCATIONS TO AVOID section may have caused the alarm.
The model PI9010 has a "HUSH" control that is extremely useful in a kitchen area or other areas prone to nuisance alarms. For more information refer to section OPERATION AND TESTING.

MAINTENANCE

BATTERY REPLACEMENT

If tamper resist feature has been used, refer to TAMPER RESIST FEATURE section for removal instructions.
To replace the battery, remove the alarm from the mounting plate by rotating the alarm in the direction of the "OFF" arrow on the cover (see figure 4).
The Model PI9010 Smoke Alarm is powered by a 9V alkaline battery. A fresh battery should last for one year under normal operating conditions. This alarm has a low battery monitor circuit which will cause the alarm to "chirp" approximately every 45 seconds for a minimum of seven (7) days when the battery gets low. Replace the battery when this condition occurs.

USE ONLY THE FOLLOWING 9 VOLT BATTERIES FOR SMOKE ALARM REPLACEMENT.
Alkaline Type:
ENERGIZER 522;
DURACELL MN1604, MX1604;
GOLD PEAK 1604A;
PANASONIC 6AM6, 6AM-6, 6AM-6PI, 6AM6X, and 6LR61(GA)
NOTE: WEEKLY TESTING IS REQUIRED.

USE ONLY THE BATTERIES SPECIFIED. USE OF DIFFERENT BATTERIES MAY HAVE A DETRIMENTAL EFFECT ON THE SMOKE ALARM.
NOTE: DO NOT USE LITHIUM BATTERIES IN THIS UNIT.

CLEANING YOUR ALARM

YOUR ALARM SHOULD BE CLEANED AT LEAST ONCE A YEAR
To clean your alarm, remove it from the mounting bracket as outlined in the beginning of this section. You can clean the interior of your alarm (sensing chamber) by using compressed air or a vacuum cleaner hose and blowing or vacuuming through the openings around the perimeter of the alarm. The outside of the alarm can be wiped with a damp cloth. After cleaning, reinstall your alarm and test your alarm by using the test button. If cleaning does not restore the alarm to normal operation the alarm should be replaced.

LIMITATIONS OF SMOKE ALARMS

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY AND THOROUGHLY

• NFPA 72 states: Life safety from fire in residential occupancies is based primarily on early notification to occupants of the need to escape, followed by the appropriate egress actions by those occupants. Fire warning systems for dwelling units are capable of protecting about half of the occupants in potentially fatal fires. Victims are often intimate with the fire, too old or young, or physically or mentally impaired such that they cannot escape even when warned early enough that escape should be possible. For these people, other strategies such as protection-in-place or assisted escape or rescue are necessary.
• Leading authorities recommend that both ionization and photoelectric smoke alarms be installed to help insure maximum detection of the various types of fires that can occur within the home. 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.
• A battery powered alarm must have a battery of the specified type, in good condition and installed properly.
• AC powered alarms (without battery backup) will not operate if the AC power has been cut off, such as by an electrical fire or an open fuse.
• Smoke alarms must be tested regularly to make sure the batteries and the alarm circuits are in good operating condition.
• Smoke alarms cannot provide an alarm if smoke does not reach the alarm. Therefore, 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.
• If the alarm is located outside the bedroom or on a different floor, it may not wake up a sound sleeper.
• The use of alcohol or drugs may also impair one's ability to hear the smoke alarm. For maximum protection, a smoke alarm should be installed in each sleeping area on every level of a home.
• Although smoke alarms can help save lives by providing an early warning of a fire, they are not a substitute for an insurance policy. Home owners and renters should have adequate insurance to protect their lives and property.

GOOD SAFETY HABITS

DEVELOP AND PRACTICE A PLAN OF ESCAPE

• Make a floor plan indicating all doors and windows and at least two (2) escape routes from each room. Second story windows may need a rope or chain ladder.
• Have a family meeting and discuss your escape plan, showing everyone what to do in case of fire.
• Determine a place outside your home where you all can meet if a fire occurs.
• Familiarize everyone with the sound of the smoke alarm and train them to leave your home when they hear it.
• Practice a fire drill at least every six months, including fire drills at night. Ensure that small children hear the alarm and wake when it sounds. They must wake up in order to execute the escape plan. Practice allows all occupants to test your plan before an emergency. You may not be able to reach your children. It is important they know what to do.
• Install and maintain fire extinguishers on every level of the home and in the kitchen, basement and garage. Know how to use a fire extinguisher prior to an emergency.
• Current studies have shown smoke alarms may not awaken all sleeping individuals, and that it is the responsibility of individuals in the household that are capable of assisting others to provide assistance to those who may not be awakened by the alarm sound, or to those who may be incapable of safely evacuating the area unassisted.

WHAT TO DO WHEN THE ALARM SOUNDS

• Alert small children in the home.
• Leave immediately by your escape plan. Every second counts, so don't waste time getting dressed or picking up valuables.
• In leaving, don't open any inside door without first feeling its surface. If hot, or if you see smoke seeping through cracks, don't open that door! Instead, use your alternate exit. If the inside of the door is cool, place your shoulder against it, open it slightly and be ready to slam it shut if heat and smoke rush in.
• Stay close to the floor if the air is smoky. Breathe shallowly through a cloth, wet if possible.
• Once outside, go to your selected meeting place and make sure everyone is there.
• Call the fire department from your cell phone outside, or your neighbor's home - not from yours!
• Don't return to your home until the fire officials say that it is all right to do so.

There are situations where a smoke alarm may not be effective to protect against fire as noted by the NFPA and UL. For instance:

1. smoking in bed
2. leaving children home alone
3. cleaning with flammable liquids, such as gasoline
4. fires where the victim is intimate with a flaming initiated fire; for example, when a person's clothes catch fire while cooking
5. fires where the smoke is prevented from reaching the detector due to a closed door or other obstruction
6. incendiary fires where the fire grows so rapidly that an occupant's egress is blocked even with properly located detectors

NRC INFORMATION

The ionization portion of this smoke alarm uses a very small amount of a radioactive element in the sensing chamber to enable detection of visible and invisible combustion products. The radioactive element is safely contained in the chamber and requires no adjustments or maintenance. This smoke alarm meets or exceeds all government standards. It is manufactured and distributed under license from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission.