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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 pre-
vent or minimize the harmful effects of an emergency situation.
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 inten-
ded, there may be circumstances when there is insufficient warning to
allow all occupants to escape in time to avoid injury or death.
Telephone Lines
If telephone lines are used to transmit alarms, they may be out of ser-
vice 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.
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 res-
idence or premise, then it is less likely that the occupants will be aler-
ted or awakened. Audible warning devices may be interfered with by
other noise sources such as stereos, radios, televisions, air conditioners,
other appliances, or passing traffic. Audible warning devices, however
loud, may not be heard by a hearing-impaired person.
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