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ABOUT SMOKE ALARMS
Battery (DC) powered Smoke Alarms: Provide protection even when
electricity fails, provided the batteries are fresh and correctly installed.
Units are easy to install, and do not require professional installation. May
also be interconnected, model dependent, so if one unit senses smoke,
all units alarm.
Mains (AC) powered Smoke Alarms: Can be interconnected so if one
unit senses smoke, all units alarm. They do not operate if electricity fails.
Mains (AC) with battery (DC) back-up: will operate if electricity fails,
provided the batteries are fresh and correctly installed. Mains (AC)
powered and mains powered with battery back-up (AC/DC) units must
be installed by a qualified electrician.
All these Smoke Alarms are designed to provide early warning of fires if
located, installed and cared for as described in the user's manual, and if
smoke reaches them. If you are unsure which type of Smoke Alarm to
install, refer to British Standard (BS) 5839 Part 6 and 5588 Part 1.
BSI, 389 Chiswick High Road, London, W4 4AL, UK. Local building
regulations may also require specific units in new construction or in
different areas of the home.
SPECIAL COMPLIANCE CONSIDERATIONS
This Smoke Alarm alone is not a suitable substitute for complete
fire detection systems in places housing many people—like blocks
of flats (communal escape routes), hotels, motels, hostels, inns,
hospitals, long-term health care facilities, nursing homes, day care
facilities, boarding houses or sheltered housing of any kind—even
if they were once single-family residences. It is not a suitable
substitute for complete fire detection systems in warehouses,
industrial facilities, commercial buildings, and special-purpose non-
residential buildings which require special fire detection and alarm
systems. Depending on the building regulations in your area, this
Smoke Alarm may be used to provide additional protection in these
facilities.
The following information applies to all four building types below:
In new construction, most building regulations require the use of mains
(AC) or mains powered with integral standby supply (AC/DC) Smoke
Alarms only. In existing construction, mains powered (AC), mains
powered with integral standby supply (AC/DC), or battery (DC) powered
Smoke Alarms can be used as specified by local building regulations.
Refer to British Standard BS 5839 Part 6 and BS 5588 Part 1, local build-
ings regulations, or consult your Fire Brigade for detailed fire protection
requirements in buildings not defined as "dwellings."
1. Single-Family Residence:
Single family home. It is recommended Smoke Alarms be installed in all
circulation spaces (normally hallways and staircases) that form part of
escape routes, on every level, in all rooms and areas that present a high
fire risk and between the sleeping area(s) and the most likely sources of
fire (living room and kitchen).
2. Multi-Family or Mixed Occupant Residence:
Blocks of flats. This Smoke Alarm is suitable for use in individual flats,
provided a primary fire detection system already exists to meet fire
detection requirements in common areas like foyers, hallways, corridors,
or porches. Using this Smoke Alarm in common areas may not provide
sufficient warning to all residents or meet local fire protection by-laws/
regulations.
3. Institutions:
Hospitals, day care facilities, long-term health care facilities. This Smoke
Alarm may be suitable for use in individual patient sleeping/resident
rooms, provided a primary fire detection system already exists to meet
fire detection requirements in common areas like foyers, hallways, corri-
dors, or porches. Using this Smoke Alarm in common areas may not
provide sufficient warning to all residents or meet local fire protection
by-laws/regulations.
4. Hotels and Motels:
Also hostels, inns, boarding houses and sheltered housing. This Smoke
Alarm may be suitable for use inside individual sleeping/resident rooms,
provided a primary fire detection system already exists to meet fire
detection requirements in common areas like foyers, hallways, corridors,
or porches. Using this Smoke Alarm in common areas may not provide
sufficient warning to all residents or meet local fire protection by-laws/
regulations.
LIMITATIONS OF SMOKE ALARMS
Smoke Alarms have played a key role in reducing deaths resulting from
home fires worldwide. However, like any warning device, Smoke Alarms
can only work if they are properly located, installed, and maintained, and
if smoke reaches them. They are not foolproof.
Smoke Alarms may not waken all individuals. Practice the escape
plan at least twice a year, making sure that everyone is involved – from
kids to grandparents. Allow children to master fire escape planning and
practice before holding a fire drill at night when they are sleeping. If chil-
dren or others do not readily waken to the sound of the Smoke Alarm,
or if there are infants or family members with mobility limitations, make
sure that someone is assigned to assist them in fire drill and in the event
of an emergency. It is recommended that you hold a fire drill while family
members are sleeping in order to determine their response to the sound
of the Smoke Alarm while sleeping and to determine whether they may
need assistance in the event of an emergency.
Smoke Alarms cannot work without power. Battery operated units
cannot work if the batteries are missing, disconnected or dead, if the
wrong type of batteries are used, or if the batteries are not installed cor-
rectly. AC units cannot work if the AC power is cut off for any reason
(open fuse or circuit breaker, failure along an electrical mains or at a
power station, electrical fire that burns the electrical wires, etc.). If you
are concerned about the limitations of battery or AC power, install both
types of units.
Smoke Alarms cannot detect fires if the smoke does not reach
them. Smoke from fires in chimneys or walls, on roofs, or on the other
side of closed doors may not reach the sensing chamber and set off the
alarm. That is why one unit should be installed inside each bedroom or
sleeping area—especially if bedroom or sleeping area doors are closed
at night—and in the hallway between them.
Smoke Alarms may not detect fire on another floor or area of the
home. For example, a stand-alone unit on the second floor may not
detect smoke from a ground floor fire until the fire spreads. This may not
give you enough time to escape safely. That is why recommended mini-
mum protection is at least one unit in all circulation spaces (normally
hallways and staircases) that form part of escape routes, on every level,
and in all rooms and areas that present a high fire risk. Even with a unit
on every floor, stand-alone units may not provide as much protection as
interconnected units, especially if the fire starts in a remote area. Some
safety experts recommend installing interconnected mains (AC) powered
units with battery (DC) back-up (see "About Smoke Alarms") or profes-
sional fire detection systems, so if one unit senses smoke, all units
alarm. Interconnected units may provide earlier warning than stand-
alone units since all units alarm when one detects smoke.
Smoke Alarms may not be heard. Though the alarm horn in this unit
meets or exceeds current Standards, it may not be heard if: 1) the unit is
located outside a closed or partially closed door, 2) residents recently
consumed alcohol or drugs, 3) the alarm is drowned out by noise from
stereo, TV, traffic, air conditioner or other appliances, 4) residents are
hearing impaired or sound sleepers. Special purpose units, like those
with visual and audible alarms, etc. should be installed for hearing
impaired residents.
Smoke Alarms may not have time to alarm before the fire itself
causes damage, injury, or death, since smoke from some fires may
not reach the unit immediately. Examples of this include persons
smoking in bed, children playing with matches, or fires caused by
violent explosions resulting from escaping gas.
Smoke Alarms are not foolproof. Like any electronic device, Smoke
Alarms are made of components that can wear out or fail at any time.
You must test the unit weekly to ensure your continued protection.
Smoke Alarms cannot prevent or extinguish fires. They are not a substi-
tute for property or life insurance.
Smoke Alarms have a limited life. The unit should be replaced imme-
diately if it is not operating properly. You should always replace a Smoke
Alarm after 10 years from date of purchase. Write the purchase date on
the user's manual and keep in a safe place for future reference.
For your records, please record:
Date Purchased:________________________
Where Purchased:______________________________________
BRK Electronics
®
is a registered trademark of BRK Brands, Inc.
6
M09-0022-001 K/2 06/03
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