First Alert SA100 User Manual

User’s Manual

AC Powered Ionization Smoke Alarm for the Hearing Impaired

Cat. SA100B, ESSA1

Input: 120V AC 60Hz, .053 A Standby, .059 A Alarm

Ionization smoke alarms are generally more effective at detecting ﬂaming ﬁres which consume combustible materials rapidly and spread quickly. Sources of these ﬁres may include paper burning in a wastebasket, or a grease ﬁre in the kitchen.

Photoelectric smoke alarms are generally more effective at detecting smoldering ﬁres which smolder for hours before bursting into ﬂame. Sources of these ﬁres may include cigarettes burning in couches or bedding.

For maximum protection, use both types of smoke alarms on each level of your home.

M06-2001-003 8/99

INSIDE THIS MANUAL

IMPORTANT! PLEASE READ CAREFULLY AND SAVE.

This user’s manual contains important information about your smoke alarm’s operation. If you are installing this smoke alarm for use by others, you must leave this manual—or a copy of it—with the end user.

THIS USER’S MANUAL HAS BEEN RESIZED TO PRINT OUT ON 8-1/2 x 11” PAGES.

Other Features Of Smoke Alarms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1

Special Compliance Considerations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Limitations Of Smoke Alarms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1

Where To Install Smoke Alarms. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

Where Not To Install Smoke Alarms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2/3

Protecting Your Family From Fire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2/3

What To Do In Case Of Fire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2/3

Important! Read Before Installing This Smoke Alarm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

How To Install This Smoke Alarm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3/4

Weekly Testing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4/5

Regular Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4/5

If This Smoke Alarm Goes Into Alarm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4/5

If This Smoke Alarm Is Not Working Properly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4/5

10-Year Limited Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4/6

All Rights Reserved. ©1999 BRK Brands, Inc. BRK Brands, Inc., 3901 Liberty Street Road, Aurora, IL 60504-8122 Consumer Affairs: Monday-Friday, 7:30am-5pm (Central Time): (800) 323-9005 • Internet: www.ﬁrstalert.com

BLACK page numbers reference the original printed document.

RED page numbers reference this web version.

Strobe: 177 candela minimum

Model

SA100B

ESSA1

OTHER FEATURES OF SMOKE ALARMS

Battery (DC) operated 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.

AC powered smoke alarms: Can be interconnected so if one unit senses smoke, all units alarm. They do not operate

if electricity fails. Units must be installed by a qualiﬁed electrician.

AC/DC powered smoke alarms: (AC with battery back-up): Can be interconnected so if one unit senses smoke,

all units alarm. They will operate if electricity fails, provided the batteries are fresh and correctly installed. Units must be installed by a qualiﬁed electrician.

Smoke alarms for the hearing impaired: impaired. They include a visual alarm and an audible alarm horn, and meet the requirements of the Americans With Disabilities Act. These units can be interconnected so if one unit senses smoke, all units alarm. They do not operate if electricity fails. Units must be installed by a qualiﬁed electrician. This smoke alarm is an AC powered unit that has an 85 decibel alarm and a 177 candela strobe light, which ﬂashes rapidly when the unit is in alarm. This unit is specially designed to wake hearing impaired persons. It features an 85dB alarm plus a brilliant 177 candela strobe light that ﬂashes rapidly when the unit senses smoke.

All these units 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 unit to install, refer to Chapter 2 of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Standard 72 (National Fire Alarm Code) and NFPA 101 (Life Safety Code). National Fire Protection Association, One Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02269-9101. Local building codes may also require speciﬁc units in new construction or in different areas of the home.

pecial purpose smoke alarms should be installed for the hearing

SPECIAL COMPLIANCE CONSIDERATIONS

This smoke alarm alone is not a suitable substitute for complete ﬁre detection systems in places housing many people—like apartment buildings, condominiums, hotels, motels, dormitories, hospitals, long-term health care facilities, nursing homes, day care facilities, or group homes of any kind—even if they were once single-family homes. 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 codes in your area, this smoke alarm may be used to provide additional protection in these facilities.

The following information applies to all four types of buildings listed below: In new construction, most building

codes require the use of AC or AC/DC powered smoke alarms only. In existing construction, AC, AC/DC, or DC powered smoke alarms can be used as speciﬁed by local building codes. Refer to NFPA 72 (National Fire Alarm Code) or NFPA 101 (Life Safety Code), local building codes, or consult your Fire Department for detailed ﬁre protection requirements in buildings not deﬁned as “households.”

1. Single-Family Residence: Single family home, townhouse. It is recommended smoke alarms be installed on every

level of the home, in every bedroom, and in each bedroom hallway.

2. Multi-Family or Mixed Occupant Residence: Apartment building, condominium. This smoke alarm is suitable for

use in individual apartments or condos, provided a primary ﬁre detection system already exists to meet ﬁre detection requirements in common areas like lobbies, hallways, or porches. Using this smoke alarm in common areas may not provide sufﬁcient warning to all residents or meet local ﬁre protection ordinances/regulations.

3. Institutions: Hospitals, day care facilities, long-term health care facilities. This smoke alarm is suitable for use in

individual patient sleeping/resident rooms, provided a primary ﬁre detection system already exists to meet ﬁr e detection requirements in common areas like lobbies, hallways, or porches. Using this smoke alarm in common areas may not provide sufﬁcient warning to all residents or meet local ﬁre protection ordinances/regulations.

4. Hotels and Motels: Also boarding houses and dormitories. This smoke alarm is 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 lobbies, hallways, or porches. Using this smoke alarm in common areas may not provide sufﬁcient warning to all residents or meet local ﬁre protection ordinances/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 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 correctly. AC units cannot work if the AC power is cut off for any reason (open fuse or circuit breaker, failure along a power line 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 basement ﬁre until the ﬁre spreads. This may not give you enough time to escape safely. That is why recommended minimum pr otection is at least one unit in every sleeping area, and every bedroom on every level of your home. 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 r ecommend installing interconnected AC powered units with battery back-up (see “Other Features Of Smoke Alarms”) or professional

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.

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, 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 substitute for property or life insurance.

Smoke alarms have a limited life. The unit should be replaced immediately if it is not operating properly.

It is recommended you replace a smoke alarm after 10 years from date of manufacture. See back of smoke alarm for manufacture date.

Though the alarm horn in this unit meets or exceeds current standards, it may not be

WHERE TO INSTALL SMOKE ALARMS

STROBE LIGHT

Angle

5-25

30-45

Percent

Light Intensity

100

50 55 60 65 70 75 80 85 90

75 55 45 40 35 35 30 30 25 25

OUTPUT FOR WALL AND CEILING

90° 90°

(In Degrees)

MOUNTING

The intensity of the strobe light gradually lessens as the angle increases. In other words, the light is brightest directly in front of the strobe light and is progressively less bright to either side. As required by Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL), the following illustrations show how the strobe light is dispersed. Use them to help you choose where to locate units for the hearing impaired.

45° 45°

0°

INSTALLING SMOKE ALARMS IN SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENCES

The National Fire Protection Association (NFP A), r ecommends one smoke alarm on every ﬂoor, in every sleeping area, and in every bedroom. In new construction, the smoke alarms must be AC powered and interconnected. See “Agency Placement Recommendations” for details. For additional coverage, it is recommended that you install a smoke alarm in all rooms, halls, storage areas, ﬁnished attics, and basements, where temperatures normally remain between 40˚F (4˚C) and 100˚F (38˚C). Make sure no door or other obstruction could keep smoke from reaching the smoke alarms.

Interconnected AC powered units for the hearing impaired. Minimum coverage is one unit on every level of

the home, plus one unit inside each bedroom/sleeping areas and in the hallway between them. For additional protection, additional units should be installed in family rooms, dens, or other rooms your family uses often.

90°

45°

0°

45°

90°

INSTALLING SMOKE ALARMS IN MOBILE HOMES

For minimum security install one smoke alarm as close to each sleeping area as possible. For more security , put one unit in each room. Many older mobile homes (especially those built before 1978) have little or no insulation. If your mobile home is not well insulated, or if you are unsure of the amount of insulation, it is important to install units on inside walls only. Smoke alarms should be installed where temperatur es normally r emain between 40˚F (4˚C) and 100˚F (38˚C).

AGENCY PLACEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS

IMPORTANT!

This equipment should be installed in accordance with the National Fire Protection Association’s Standard 72. National Fire Protection Association, One Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02269-9101. Additional local building

and regulatory codes may apply in your area. Always check compliance requirements before beginning any installation.

NFPA Standard 72 Section 2-2.1.1.1

2-2.1.1.1 Smoke alarms 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 alarm shall also be installed in each sleeping room. Chapter 2 also reads as follows: 2-2.2.1: In new construction, where more than one smoke alarm is required by 2-2.1, alarms shall be so arranged that operation of any one alarm shall cause the operation of all alarms within the dwelling. A-

2.5.2.1 Smoke Detection-Are More Smoke Alarms Desirable? The required number of smoke alarms might not provide reliable early warning protection for those areas separated by a door from the areas pr otected by the required smoke alarms. For this reason, it is recommended that the householder consider the use of additional smoke alarms for those areas for increased protection. The additional areas include the basement, bedrooms, dining room, furnace room, utility room, and hallways not protected by the required smoke alarms. The installation of smoke alarms in kitchens, attics (ﬁnished or unﬁnished), or garages is not normally recommended, as these locations occasionally experience conditions that can result in improper operation.

California State Fire Marshall

Early warning detection is best achieved by the installation of ﬁre detection equipment in all rooms and areas of the household as follows: A smoke alarm installed in each separate sleeping area (in the vicinity, but outside bedrooms), and heat or smoke alarms in the living rooms, dining rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, hallways, ﬁnished attics, furnace rooms, closets, utility and storage rooms, basements, and attached garages.

Recommended smoke alarms for the hearing impaired in new or existing home construction

BEDROOM

LIVING ROOM KITCHEN

HALL

FINISHED BASEMENT

MULTI-STORY RESIDENCE

BEDROOM

KITCHEN

BEDROOM

SINGLE-STORY RESIDENCE, APARTMENT, MOBILE HOME

DINING ROOM

LIVING ROOM

KEY:

REQUIRED TO MEET NFPA RECOMMENDATIONS

RECOMMENDED FOR ADDITIONAL PROTECTION

More speciﬁcally , install smoke alarms:

• On every level of your home, including ﬁnished attics and basements.

• Inside every bedroom, especially if people sleep with the door partly or completely closed.

• In the hall near every sleeping area. If your home has multiple sleeping areas, install a unit in each.

If a hall is more than 40 feet long (12 meters), install a unit at each end.

• At the top of the ﬁrst-to-second ﬂoor stairway, and at the bottom of the basement stairway.

IMPORTANT!

Speciﬁc requirements for smoke alarm installation vary from state to state and from region to region. Check with your local Fire Department for current requirements in your area. If you install AC or AC/DC units, it is recommended they be interconnected for added protection.

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