DSC Meridian WLS906 Instructions For Installation And Use Manual

WLS906

Battery-Powered Smoke Alarms

INSTRUCTIONS FOR
INSTAL LATION AND USE

READ THIS INSTRUCTION SHEET THOROUGHLY BEFORE

INSTALLING AND USING YOUR MERIDIAN SMOKE ALARM

How the Smoke Alarm Works

Features

• Advanced 90° photoelectric detection pattern and specially
designed smoke chamber

for superior detection and dust

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resistance

• Unique high signal-to-noise ratio and superior RFI
immunity to prevent false alarms

• Excellent smoke access provides reliable detection for all
smoke flow directions and velocities

• Loud 85dB piezoelectric alarm horn

• Battery-powered design for easy installation and
independence from house power sources

• Uses six AA batteries and special circuit design to provide
extra long battery life

• Solid-state LED indicator light (red)

• Visible flash light and audible trouble chirp for low battery
warning

• Equipped with an RF transmitter, WLS906 can
communicate with DSC's WLS900 Wireless and Power832
Security Systems

• Test Button allows user to perform sensitivity test and get
a local indication of test result

• Magnet-activated reed-switch allows user to perform
system test

• Battery removal sensor alerts user to missing battery and
prevents installation of alarm when no battery is installed

• Automatic self-test once every 40 seconds provides an
audible trouble indication if the unit has insufficient smoke
sensitivity

• Attractive styling for any decor

• ULC listed S531

Protected under Canadian Patent No. 1452296. Other patents pending.

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Introduction

The DSC Meridian Photoelectric Smoke Alarm incorporates many
advanced design features to provide years of reliable operation. It
is important to follow the Installation and Operation instructions on
this sheet to ensure that the unit will function properly - even the best
designed smoke alarm will be rendered useless if it is not connected
or located properly.

It is very important that you understand how to test and maintain
your system. Read the Instruction or User Manual for your alarm
system to familiarise yourself with the Fire Alarm functions. Be sure
to test your system regularly following the test procedures described
in your manual. If you should ever have problems operating or
testing your system, and especially if there are problems with the
Fire Alarm functions, contact your Smoke Alarm Installer or Dealer
immediately for service.

While smoke alarms and alarm systems are designed to warn you
of potentially dangerous situations, no system can prevent
emergencies. An alarm system is not a substitute for life and
property insurance; you should always maintain appropriate
insurance coverage.

As shown in the illustration, a light source is directed across the
smoke chamber and is not normally reflected into the sensing
element. When smoke enters the chamber, the light beam is
scattered by the smoke and is reflected into the sensor. When
enough light is detected by the sensor, an alarm is activated. On
alarm, the Sounder is activated and the red indicator light will flash.

When the smoke clears from the smoke chamber, the unit will
automatically reset itself.

Alarm Indications

Condition Sounder Indicator RF

No Smoke Silent Flash every Supervision

Smoke Alarm Flash every Alarm

Automatic Self Test Silent Flash every Supervision
Functioning Normally 40-50 s transmission

Automatic Self Test Chirp between Flash every Fire Trouble
Insufficient Sensitivity LED flashes 40-50 s transmission

Push-button Test Alarm Flash every Supervision
Functioning Normally 0.67 s transmission

Push-button Test Silent Flash every Fire Trouble
Insufficient Sensitivity 40-50 s transmission

Magnet-Reed-Switch Alarm Flash every Alarm
Test Functioning Normally 0.67 s transmission

Magnet-Reed-Switch Silent Flash every Fire Trouble
Test Insufficient Sensitivity 40-50 s transmission

Low Battery Chirp simultaneous Flash every Fire Trouble

with LED flash 40-50 s transmission

Light Transmission

40-50 s transmissionh

every 12 min.

0.67 s transmission

every 12 min.

every 12 min.

Limitations of Smoke Alarms

While the Meridian Smoke Alarm has been designed for reliability,
it is important to know that all smoke alarms have limitations.

• Smoke alarms will not work without power. If the batteries are low,
the smoke alarm will not function. See “
for important information on battery use.

• Smoke alarms can only generate an alarm when smoke gets
inside the Smoke Chamber; anything that prevents smoke from
entering the Smoke Chamber may prevent or delay an alarm.
Refer to the Guidelines for Locating Smoke Alarms on this
Instruction Sheet; it is important that smoke alarms be located on
at least every floor of the premises, preferably in every room. It is
also important to avoid obstructions, such as closed doors, that
may prevent smoke from reaching the unit. A smoke alarm will not
detect a fire in the walls, in the chimney or on the roof of a building
until smoke enters the Smoke Chamber.

• Smoke alarms have certain obvious limitations: they may not provide
protection for someone smoking in bed, for children playing with
matches, or for sudden and violent explosions. A smoke alarm is a
single part of overall fire safety precautions; the smoke alarm should
never be seen as a substitute for a complete fire safety program.

Battery Installation

” below

Guidelines for Locating Smoke Alarms

Research has shown that all hostile fires in homes generate smoke
to a greater or lesser extent. Experiments with typical fires in homes
indicate that detectable quantities of smoke precede detectable
levels of heat in most cases. For these reasons, smoke alarms
should be installed outside of each sleeping area and on each
storey of the home.

The following information is for general guidance only and it is
recommended that local fire codes and regulations be consulted
when locating and installing smoke alarms.

It is recommended that additional smoke alarms beyond those
required for minimum protection be installed. Additional areas that
should be protected include: the basement; bedrooms, especially
where smokers sleep; dining rooms; furnace and utility rooms, and
any hallways not protected by the required units.

A smoke alarm should be located between the sleeping area and
the rest of the home as in Figure 1. In homes with more than one
sleeping area, a smoke alarm should be located outside of each
sleeping area, as in Figure 2. A smoke alarm should be located on
each storey of the home, as in Figure 3.

Smoke from a fire generally rises to the ceiling, spreads out across
the ceiling surface, and begins to bank down away from the ceiling.
Because of this airflow behaviour, the smoke may not be able to
enter the corner where the ceiling and wall meet. In most cases, this
“dead” air space measures about 4 in. (10 cm) along the ceiling
from the corner and about 4 in. (10 cm) down the wall as shown in
Figure 4. Units should not be placed in the “dead” air space.

Locations to avoid:

• Do not locate smoke alarms at the top of peaked or gabled
ceilings; the “dead” air in these locations may prevent the unit
from detecting smoke.

• Avoid areas with turbulent airflow, such as near fans, doors or
windows. Rapid airflow around the unit may prevent smoke from
entering the unit.

• Do not locate smoke alarms in high humidity areas, such as in
bathrooms or attics. Also avoid areas where the temperature
rises above 38°C (100°F) or falls below 5°C (41°F).

• Do not locate smoke alarms in poorly ventilated garages or
kitchens; car exhaust or cooking smoke could cause false alarms.

Smoke detectors should always be installed in accordance with NFPA 72,
the National Fire Alarm Code. Smoke detectors should always be located
in accordance with Paragraph 2.1.1.1 of NFPA 72, Chapter 2.:

“2-2.1.1.1 Smoke detectors shall be installed outside of each separate
sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of the bedrooms and on each
additional story of the family living unit, including basements and excluding
crawl spaces and unfinished attics. In new construction, a smoke detector
also shall be installed in each sleeping room.”

Testing Your Smoke Alarm

Never use burning or smouldering materials to test a smoke
alarm. Follow the test procedure described here or contact
your Smoke Alarm Dealer or Installer for testing instructions.

It is recommended that your entire alarm system be tested at
least once per week to verify the operation of all system functions.

Smoke Alarm Unit Test

To test the smoke alarm, press and hold the Test Button on the front
of the unit. When the button is pressed, the unit’s alarm should
sound. When the button is released, the alarm should be silenced.
If this does not occur, check that the batteries are the correct type,
in good condition and are installed correctly (see the

Installation

properly, call your smoke alarm Installer or Dealer for service.

section). If the smoke alarm still does not function

System Test

To prepare your alarm system for a complete test, refer to the testing
instructions section of your system’s manual.

instructions regarding notification of the monitoring station in
order to avoid an unnecessary emergency response.

system is ready to be tested, hold the test magnet against the smoke
alarm case as shown below.

Observe carefully all

Battery

When the

If you have a Marquis (WLS900) system, and it is not in
walk test mode when the system test is performed, the
System Controller will transmit a fire alarm to the
monitoring station.

After activating the smoke alarm’s system test, an alarm should
sound and the indicator light should flash every 0.67 seconds.
When the magnet is removed, the alarm should be silenced.

See
your system manual for further instructions regarding
completion of the alarm system test.