First Alert M300 Owner's Manual

2502-B0001_M300&SA900_GB MANUAL.qxd:2502-B0001_M300&SA900_GB MANUAL
B A T T E R Y
S M O K E
A L A R M S
COVERS •Simple Fitting Instructions •Location Guide
•Operating Guide •Basic Fire Safety Tips
•Simple Maintenance Instructions
PLEASE KEEP THIS MANUAL IN A SAFE PLACE
OWNERS
MANUAL
For further information IONISATION SMOKE ALARMS
please write to: M300, M300AP, M300i, SA200
BRK Brands Europe Ltd,
Unit 6 Carter Court, Davy Way,
Waterwells Business Park,
SA900, SA900Si, SA300 and SA300L
Quedgeley, Gloucester, GL2 2DE,
United Kingdom
IMPORTANT: PLEASE READ
AND RETAIN THIS OWNERS MANUAL
When installing this alarm for use by others, please leave
2502-B0001 RevA
this manual or a copy with the end user.
PRODUCT SERIES
M300, M300AP, M300i, SA200
SA900, SA900Si, SA300 and SA300L
Dual Ionisation sensing chamber, particularly sensitive to fast flaming fires.
SUPERIOR FEATURES
• Battery Operated
• Operating Light (RED)
Flashes approximately every 45 seconds confirming unit is powered.
• Low Battery Warning
Unit 'beeps' approximately every 45 seconds for at least 30 days when the battery needs replacing.
• Sensitivity Test Button
Test sensitivity, circuitry, battery, horn.
• Loud 85 Decibel Piezo Electric Alarm
Automatically resets when hazardous condition has passed.
• Easy Installation
Fixings supplied.
SPECIAL FEATURES
Each family of alarms supports several special features:-
'AP': Alarm Pause. Fitted to the SA900/SA300 and models with the suffix 'AP'. Silence your smoke
alarm by momentarily pressing the test button. Ideal when non-emergency smoke (eg
cooking fumes) causes nuisance alarms. The red light flashes every 10 seconds to remind
you that the smoke alarm has been silenced. Your smoke alarm will automatically reset
after approximately 10 minutes.
'i' Interconnect. Fitted to models with the suffix 'i' Connect up to 12 alarms together so that
when one alarm sounds all properly connected alarms with this facility will follow.
'S' Sealed-in battery. Model numbers with the suffix 'S' have the battery sealed in to prevent
tampering.
For example a model SA900Si is an alarm with a sealed in battery that can be interconnected to other
alarms.
16/9/09
SA900 / SA900Si / SA300L
O P E R A T E D
Supplied complete with Long Life Lithium Powercell. Under normal use and conditions this lithium
powercell is guaranteed for 10 years, the typical life of the alarm. In the SA900Si the battery is sealed
in place and is not removable/replaceable.
BE PREPARED
Smoke and heat alarms properly installed and maintained are an essential part of a good home fire
safety programme. Review fire hazards and eliminate dangerous conditions whenever possible. When
fire strikes, a prepared and practiced escape plan could prove vital. Your local fire brigade may be
willing to advise you. Call them and ask. Consider and discuss the following safety hints:
• Ensure everyone is familiarized with the alarm signal.
• Always test doors with your hands before flinging them open. If they feel warm, fire
may be walled up behind them - leave closed and find another escape route.
• Don't waste time collecting possessions. Rouse all occupants and leave the
building. Your life is more valuable!
•GET OUT. STAY OUT. GET THE FIRE BRIGADE OUT.
• Keep everyone in a set meeting place after your escape.
• If trapped inside, stay close to the floor, cover mouth with cloth, conserve breath as
you crawl to safety.
• Keep all doors and windows closed except for escape purposes.
• Prepare and practice an escape plan before a fire starts!
Draw a Floor Plan. Have Fire Drills Often. Practise Your Escape.
and
WHERE TO LOCATE
1. As a minimum, smoke alarms should be located between sleeping areas and potential sources of
fire such as living rooms and kitchens. In single storey homes with one sleeping area a smoke
alarm should be installed in the hallway, as close as possible to the living accommodation.
To ensure audibility in bedrooms it may be necessary to install more than one smoke alarm,
particularly if the hallway is more than 15m long. In single storey homes with two separate sleeping
areas, a minimum of two smoke alarms is required, one outside each sleeping area. In multilevel or
split level homes, as a minimum a smoke alarm should be installed on the ground floor between
the staircase and any rooms in which a fire might start and on each storey in circulation areas
which form part of the escape route (normally hallways and landings).
NOTE: Heat alarms should not be used in escape routes instead of smoke alarms. They should only
be used in the applications listed below in addition to smoke alarms and should always be
interconnected with smoke alarms.
2. Additional alarms should be installed in bedrooms in anticipation of fires originating there, caused
by faulty wiring, lights, appliances, smokers or other hazards.
3. For best protection, smoke alarms should be installed in every room in your home, apart from
those listed in the Locations to Avoid section. Heat alarms should be used in kitchens, boiler
rooms, laundry rooms, garages and such like, where smoke alarms would be unsuitable. All alarms
must be interconnected.
4. Install smoke alarms in circulation areas at a distance no greater than 7.5m from the farthest wall,
no greater than 7.5m from a door to any room in which a fire might start and no greater than 7.5m
from the next smoke alarm.
5. When heat alarms are installed in a room, they should be at a distance no greater than 5.3m from
the farthest wall, no greater than 5.3m from a door to any room in which a fire might start and no
greater than 5.3m from the next heat alarm.
6. As it is impossible to predict the source of a fire, the best location for an alarm is usually the centre
of a room or hallway. If it is necessary to place a smoke alarm on a wall, always locate the detection
element of the alarm 150mm to 300mm (6 to 12 inches) below the ceiling and the bottom of the
alarm above the level of doors and other openings. NOTE: Heat alarms must not be wall mounted.
7. In rooms with simple sloped, peaked or gabled ceilings, install smoke alarms on the ceiling
900mm (3 feet) from the highest point of the ceiling. 'Dead air' at the peak of a ceiling may prevent
smoke from reaching the alarm in time to provide an early warning.
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8. Closed doors and other obstructions will interfere with the path of smoke and heat to an alarm,
and may prevent occupants on one side of a closed door from hearing an alarm on the other side
of the door. Install sufficient alarms to compensate for closed doors and other obstacles.
READ 'LIMITATIONS OF SMOKE & HEAT ALARMS' in this manual.
Further help and information may also be found in BS5839 Part 6 and the Fire
Safety guidance given by the Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions (DTLR).
CAUTION: Research indicates that substantial increases in warning time can be obtained with each
properly installed, additional alarm. It is strongly recommended that the advice in 3 above be
followed to ensure maximum protection.
IMPORTANT: These alarms are intended primarily for single-occupancy private dwellings. For use
in other applications the manufacturers advice must be sought.
LOCATIONS TO AVOID
DO NOT locate alarms :-
1. In turbulent air from fans, heaters, doors, windows, etc.
2. In high humidity areas such as bathrooms and shower rooms, or where the temperature exceeds
39ºC (100ºF) or falls below 5ºC (40ºF).
3. At the peak of an 'A' frame ceiling. 'Dead air' at the top may prevent smoke from reaching the
alarm in time to provide early warning.
4. Less than 300mm (12 inches) from the wall when mounted on the ceiling.
5. In insect-infested areas. Tiny insects may affect performance.
6. (Smoke alarms) in poorly ventilated kitchen or garage. Combustion particles from cooking or
car exhaust could trigger a 'nuisance' alarm.
7. In very dusty or dirty areas. Dirt and dust can build up and impair performance.
8. Within 300mm (12") of light fittings or room corners.
9. In locations which would make routine testing or maintenance hazardous (eg over a stairwell).
10. On poorly insulated walls or ceilings.
11. Near objects such as ceiling decorations which might impede the path of smoke or heat to the
alarm.
12. Within 1500mm (5 feet) of fluorescent light fittings.
Further help and information may be found in BS5839 Part 6.
CARAVANS AND MOBILE HOMES
The National Caravan Council (N.C.C.) requires that all new or used caravans sold by its members
be fitted with an approved smoke alarm. The BRK Dicon M300AP and SA900 are N.C.C. approved
for this purpose.
Touring Caravans
1. The preferred position for fitting the smoke alarm is horizontally on the ceiling in the living area.
2. As close to sleeping area as possible.
3. Whenever possible out of line of sight of the kitchen area.
4. DO NOT locate in the kitchen or bathroom areas. Cooking fumes and high humidity can trigger
nuisance alarms.
5. DO NOT locate smoke alarms close to exhaust fans or air conditioning units, which could draw
smoke away from the alarm.
N.B. In older, poorly insulated caravans, layers of hotter or colder air surround the uninsulated walls
and may prevent smoke from reaching the smoke alarm. Therefore, in poorly insulated caravans,
place smoke alarms on an inside wall, 6 inches from the ceiling.
WARNING: When installed in touring caravans, test smoke alarm operation after vehicle has been
in storage, before each trip and at least once per week during use.