ADEMCO Vista-20HW Installation Instructions Manual page 98

WARNING
THE LIMITATIONS OF THIS AUUtM
SYSTEM
While this System is an advanced design security system, it does not offer guaranteed protection against
burglary, tire or other emergency. Any alarm system, whether commercial or residential, is subject to
compromise or failure to warn for a variety of reasons. For example:
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Intrusion detectors (e.g., passive infkared detectors), smoke detectors, and many other sensing devices will
not work without power. Battery-operated devices will not work without batteries, with dead batteries, or if
the batteries are not put in properly. Devices powered solely by AC will not work if their AC power supply is
cut off for any reason, however briefly.
Signals sent by wireless transmitters may be blocked or reflected by metal before they reach the alarm
receiver. Even if the signal path has been recently checked during a weekly test, blockage can occur if a
metal object is moved into the path.
A user may not be able to reach a panic or emergency button quickly enough.
While smoke detectors have played a key role in reducing residential fire deaths in the United States, they
may not activate or provide eady warning for a variety of reasons in as many as 35% of all fires, according to
data published by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Some of the reasons smoke detectors used in
conjunction with this System may not work are as follows. Smoke detectors may have been improperly
installed and positioned. Smoke detectors may not sense tires that start where smoke cannot reach the
detectors, such as in chimneys, in walls, or roofs, or on the other side of closed doors. Smoke detectors also
may not sense a fire on another level of a residence or building. A second floor detector, for example, may not
sense a first floor
or
basementfire. Finally,smokedetectorshave sensinglimitations. No smokedetectorcan
sense every kind of fire every time. In general, detectors may not always warn about fires caused by
carelessnessand safety hazards like smoking in bed, violentexplosions,escaping gas, improperstorageof
flammable materials, overloadedelectrical circuits, childrenplayingwith matches,or arson. Dependingon
the nature of the fire and/or location of the smoke detectors,the detector,even if it operatesas anticipated,
may not providesufficientwarningto allow all occupantsto escapein time to preventinjuryor death.
Passive Infrared Motion Detectors can only detect intrusionwithinthe designed ranges as diagramed in
their installation manual. Passive Infrared Detectors do not provide volumetric area protection.They do
create multiple beams of protection, and intrusion can only be detected in unobstructedareas covered by
those beams. They cannot detect motion or intrusion that takes place behind walls, ceilings,floors, closed
doors,glass partitions,glass doors, or windows. Mechanicaltampering,masking,paintingor sprayingof any
materialon the mirrors,windowsor any part of the opticalsystemcan reducetheir detectionability.Passive
InfraredDetectorssense changesin temperature;however,as the ambienttemperatureof the protectedarea
approachesthe temperaturerange of 90° to 105"F(32° to 40"C),the detectionperformancecan decrease.
Alarm warning devices such as sirens, bells or horns may not alert people or wake up sleepersif they are
located on the other side of closed or partly open doors.If warningdevicesare locatedon a differentlevel of
the residencefrom the bedrooms,then they are less likelyto wakenor alert people insidethe bedrooms.Even
persons who are awake may not hear the warning if the alarmis muffled by noise from a stereo,radio, air
conditioneror other appliance,or by passing traffic. Finally,alarmwarningdevices,howeverloud,may not
warn hearing-impairedpeople.
Telephonelines needed to transmit alarm signalsfrom a premisesto a centralmonitoringstationmaybe out
of service or temporarily out of service. Telephone lines are also subject to compromiseby sophisticated
intruders.
Even if the systemrespondsto the emergencyas intended,however,occupantsmay have insticient time to
protect themselvesfrom the emergency situation.In the case of a monitoredalarm system,authoritiesmay
not respond appropriately.
This equipment,like other electricaldevices,is subjectto componentfailure. Even thoughthis equipmentis
designed to last as long as 20 years, the electronic components could fail at any time.
The most common cause of an alarm system not functioning when an intrusion or fire occurs is inadequate
maintenance. This alarm system should be tested weekly to make sure all sensors and transmitters are working
properly. The security keypad (and remote keypad) should be tested as well.
Wireless transmitters (used in some systems) are designed to provide long battery life under normal operating
conditions. Longevity of batteries maybe as much as 4 to 7 years, depending on the environment, usage, and the
specific wireless device being used. External factors such as humidity, high or low temperatures, as well as large
swings in temperature, may all reduce the actual battery life in a given installation. This wireless system,
however, can identify a true low battery situation, thus allowing time to arrange a change of battery to
maintain protection for that given point within the system.
Installing an alarm system may make the owner eligible for a lower insurance rate, but an alarm system is not
a substitute for insurance. Homeowners, property owners and renters should continue to act prudently in
protecting themselves and continue to insure their lives and property.
We continue to develop new and improved protection devices, Users of alarm systems owe it to themselves and
their loved ones to learn about these developments.
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