Ei Electronics Ei160e Series Instruction Manual

© Ei Electronics 2015

P/N B18148 Rev1

230V~ SMOKE & HEAT ALARMS

Ei160e Series

Instruction Manual

with Rechargeable Battery Backup

The Ei160e series is supplied with an Easi-Fit base that
allows very quick and simple installation of the Smoke
Alarm, combined with simple detector head removal
and replacement. The Easi-Fit base automatically
connects both mains power and battery as the detector
head slides on to the Easi-Fit base.

Up to 12 Smoke/Heat Alarms can be interconnected so
that when one senses fire all the units alarm.

Interconnection can be achieved by hardwire or through
a modular RF module, the Ei100MRF, which can be
inserted into the base of the Alarm.

A green LED indicates the presence of mains power. A
red LED will flash rapidly in an alarm scenario.

The Smoke Alarms feature a large combined test/hush
button. The Heat Alarm features a test button.

The “Test/Hush” button will either silence false alarms
or perform a unit self-test.

In “Test” mode the Alarm will perform a self-test and
sound the horn.

In “Hush” mode the Alarm will be silenced for a period
of approximately ten minutes to overcome false alarm
conditions. It will then automatically reset itself.

Introduction to Ei160e
Smoke/Heat Alarms

User Section

The 160e series may be interconnected with any
other Ei Electronics RadioLINK or RadioLINK

+

products

through inserting the Ei100MRF RadioLINK

+

Module.
This module will enable the Ei160e series alarms to
communicate RF messages to other Ei Electronics
products such as the Ei450 RadioLINK Alarm Controller
where you can remotely locate, test and hush your
Ei160e Series Alarms using this wireless controller.

For detailed user instructions on using the RF
interconnection module Ei100MRF with the Ei160e
series, please consult the Ei100MRF instruction manual.

Important Information

Check all Alarms weekly, especially after initial
installation or re-occupation (e.g. following a holiday)

1. Check that the green mains indicator light is on. (if

it is off check circuit breakers, fuses and wiring etc.)

2. Check that the red LED on the cover flashes once

every 40 seconds to indicate normal operation – If
the memory has been set indicating that the Alarm
has been activated in the last 24 hours, the red LED
will flash twice every 40 seconds. After 24 hours the
memory will be cleared.

3. Press the test button for up to 10 seconds to ensure

the sensor chamber, electronics and sounder are
working. A red light on the cover, will flash while horn
is sounding. The alarm will stop when the button
is released. Pressing the test button simulates the
effect of smoke or heat during a real fire and is the
best way to ensure the Alarm is operating correctly.
This action will also clear the memory.

WARNING: DO NOT TEST WITH FLAME

This can set fire to the Alarm and damage the house.

We do not recommend testing with smoke or heat as
the results can be misleading unless special apparatus
is used.

4. Check for any sign of contamination such as

cobwebs or dust and clean the alarm as described in
the “cleaning” section if necessary.

2

Do’s Dont’s

Regularly check green mains
indicator is lit

Do not paint your Alarm. Do
not allow paint, water or dust
to contaminate the Alarm

Test Weekly – See testing
and maintenance

Your Alarm is powered by
230VAC. Do not open or
insert anything into the Alarm

If nuisance alarms occur –
press the test/hush button to
silence the Alarm for 10 mins

Remove or completely cover
your Alarm when decorating
to prevent dust or other
contamination damaging the
unit

Clean your Alarm regularly

RF Interconnection

Testing and Maintenance

5. Interconnected Alarms only - Test the first unit by
pressing the button for 10 seconds. All the units
should alarm within 10 seconds of the first horn
sounding. The red light on the first unit only will flash
about once a second. On releasing the button the
local Alarm will stop sounding immediately and the
remote Alarms will stop sounding approximately 3
seconds later (if testing using RF interconnection
this could take slightly longer). This will verify that
the interconnect is working. Check all the other units
similarly.

6. Check the functioning of the mains battery back-up
directly after installation and then at least yearly as
follows:

- Turn off the mains power at the distribution board and
check that the green indicator light is extinguished.

- Press the test button and ensure the horn sounds
loudly for 10 seconds.

Turn on the mains supply at the distribution board only if
the unit passes the above test.

Note: If the mains is disconnected and the battery is
almost depleted the unit will beep every 40 seconds for
at least 30 days.

7. Monitor the Alarm over a short period of time for any
beeps.

Switching off Mains for long periods

If the premises are regularly being left without mains
power for long periods the Smoke/Heat Alarms should be
removed from their mounting plates to prevent the batteries
becoming fully depleted. (This is sometimes done with
holiday homes which are only occupied in the Summer).

The Alarms must be re-attached to the mounting plates
when the premises are re-occupied.

(Long term storage (over 1 year) can damage the
batteries such that they will not recharge when the units
are re-connected to the mains supply).

If the unit is beeping

Check that the green mains power light is on. If it is off
the Alarm is not receiving mains power and is being
powered from its internal back-up cells. The beeps
indicate that they are depleted. The cells are not
replaceable. Re-connect the mains, check fuse, circuit
breakers and wiring. If in doubt contact a qualified
electrician. The beeps should cease within 2 hours as
the cells charge up. Fully charged, the cells will provide
up to 3 months back-up without mains power.

On the Optical Smoke Alarm only (Ei166e) if the unit
beeps and the red light does not flash at the same time
it indicates a problem with the smoke chamber - see
“Cleaning” section.

If all of the above possible causes of beeps have been
ruled out, but the beeping has still persisted for over 2
hours with the green light on - the rechargeable cells
may be defective. The Smoke / Heat Alarm must be
returned to the manufacturer for repair or replacement ­see “Service and Guarantee” section.

Cleaning

WARNING: Electrical shock hazard. Disconnect the AC

mains at the fuse box or circuit breaker powering the
Alarm before following the cleaning instructions.

Clean your Alarm regularly, particularly in dusty areas.

3

Use the narrow nozzle attachment of your vacuum
cleaner to remove dust, insects and cobwebs from the
sides and cover slots where the smoke or heat enters.
To clean the cover, wipe with a damp cloth. Dry cover
thoroughly with a lint free cloth.

WARNING: Do not paint your Alarm.

Other than the cleaning described above, no other
customer servicing of this product is required. Repairs,
when needed, must be performed by the manufacturer.
All Alarms are prone to dust and insect ingress which
can cause nuisance/false alarms or failure to alarm.

In certain circumstances even with regular cleaning,
contamination can build up in the smoke sensing
chamber causing the Alarm to sound or fail. If this
happens the alarm must be returned to us for servicing
or replacement. Contamination is beyond our control, it
is totally unpredictable and is considered normal wear
and tear.

For this reason, contamination is not covered by the
guarantee and a charge is made for servicing such units.

If you experience persistent nuisance/false alarms it may
mean that the environment may not be suitable for your
particular Alarm type. If, for example it is due to dust
contamination or exposure to steam you should be using
an ionisation Alarm. If the false alarm is due to cooking
fumes an optical Alarm should be fitted.

When sure that it is just a nuisance/false alarm, simply
press the test/silence button briefly on the Alarm to
silence the unit for 10 minutes.

If, when the alarm goes off, there is no sign of smoke,
heat or noise to indicate that there is a fire, you should
get your family into a safe place, before you start
investigating.

Check the house carefully in case there is a small fire
smouldering somewhere.

Check whether there is some source of smoke or fumes,
for example cooking fumes being drawn past the Smoke
Alarm by an extractor.

If there are frequent nuisance/false alarms it may be
necessary to re-locate the device away from the source
of the fumes or replace an Ionisation Alarm with an
Optical Alarm. If for some reason the Alarm continues
to sound without smoke or heat being present (due to
insect infestation or contamination build-up for example)
the units can be silenced by disconnecting the mains
power and removing the unit - see “ALARM REMOVAL”
section - page 10 (Installer)

If cleaning the Alarm does not correct the problem
it can be returned to the manufacturer for repair or
replacement - see “Service and Guarantee” section.

Silence Feature

All the Smoke Alarms have a combined Test/Silence
Button to help you control nuisance/false alarms.

1. To silence a nuisance/false alarm, press the Test/

Silence Button located on the cover. The Alarm will
automatically switch to a reduced sensitivity condition
for a 10 minute period (very large levels of smoke
from a nearby fire will override the silence period).

4

Nuisance / False Alarms

The unit will flash the red light every 10 seconds (instead
of the normal 40 seconds) to indicate the sensitivity is
reduced.
On interconnected Alarms, pressing the Test/Silence
Button on the one sensing smoke (i.e. the one with the
red light flashing every second) will silence all alarms.
Pressing the Silence Button on any other Alarm will not
silence the alarm.

2. The unit will reset to normal sensitivity at the end of

the silenced period.

Use the Smoke / Heat Alarm Test Buttons to familiarise
your family with the Alarm sound and to practice fire drills
regularly with all family members. Draw up a floor plan
that will show each member at least 2 escape routes
from each room in the house.

Children tend to hide when they don’t know what to do.
Teach children how to escape, open windows, and use
roll up fire ladders and stools without adult help. Make
sure they know what to do if the alarm goes off.

1. Check room doors for heat

or smoke. Do not open a hot
door. Use an alternate escape
route. Close doors behind you
as you leave.

2. If smoke is heavy, crawl out,

staying close to floor. Take
short breaths, if possible,
through a wet cloth or hold
your breath. More people die
from smoke inhalation than
from flames.

3. Get out as fast as you can.

Do not stop for packing. Have
a prearranged meeting place
outside for all family members.
Check everybody is there.

4. Call the Fire Brigade

immediately on a mobile
phone or from a neighbour’s
house. Make sure to call
the Brigade for all fires no
matter how small - fires can
suddenly spread. Also call the
Brigade even if the alarm is
automatically transmitted to a
remote manned centre - the
link may have failed.

5. NEVER re-enter a burning house.

5

Planning Your Escape Route

NEVER