6
Printed in Mexico
M08-0056-001
K1 07/04
First Alert®is a registered trademark of the First Alert Trust.
BRK
®
is a registered trademark of BRK Brands, Inc.
LIMITED WARRANTY
BRK Brands, Inc., ("BRK") the maker of First Alert®brand and BRK®brand products, warrants that for a period of ten years from the date of purchase, this product will be free
from defects in material and workmanship. BRK, at its option, will repair or replace this
product or any component of the product found to be defective during the warranty period. Replacement will be made with a new or remanufactured product or component. If
the product is no longer available, replacement may be made with a similar product of
equal or greater value. This is your exclusive warranty.
This warranty is valid for the original retail purchaser from the date of initial retail purchase
and is not transferable. Keep the original sales receipt. Proof of purchase is required to
obtain warranty performance. BRK dealers, service centers, or retail stores selling BRK
products do not have the right to alter, modify or any way change the terms and conditions of this warranty.
This warranty does not cover normal wear of parts or damage resulting from any of the
following: negligent use or misuse of the product, use on improper voltage or current, use
contrary to the operating instructions, disassembly, repair or alteration by anyone other
than BRK or an authorized service center. Further, the warranty does not cover Acts of
God, such as fire, flood, hurricanes and tornadoes or any batteries that are included with
this unit.
BRK shall not be liable for any incidental or consequential damages caused by the breach
of any express or implied warranty. Except to the extent prohibited by applicable law, any
implied warranty of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose is limited in duration
to the duration of the above warranty. Some states, provinces or jurisdictions do not allow
the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages or limitations on how
long an implied warranty lasts, so the above limitations or exclusion may not apply to
you. This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights that
vary from state to state or province to province.
How to Obtain Warranty Service
Service:
If service is required, do not return the product to your retailer. In order to obtain
warranty service, contact the Consumer Affairs Division at 1-800-323-9005, 7:30 AM 5:00 PM Central Standard Time, Monday through Friday. To assist us in serving you,
please have the model number and date of purchase available when calling.
303 Nelson Avenue, Neosho, MO 64850-8806.
Battery: BRK Brands, Inc. make no warranty, express or implied, written or oral, including
that of merchantability or fitness for any particular purpose with respect to battery.
Locations to Avoid for Smoke Alarms, Continued
• In very damp, humid or steamy areas, or directly near bathrooms with showers. Keep
units at least 10 feet (3 meters) away from showers, saunas, dishwashers, etc.
• Where the temperatures are regularly below 40˚F (4˚ C) or above 100˚ F (38˚ C) including
unheated buildings, outdoor rooms, porches, or unfinished attics or basements.
• In very dusty, dirty, or greasy areas. Do not install a Smoke Alarm directly over the
stove or range. Clean a laundry room unit frequently to keep it free of dust or lint.
• Near fresh air vents, ceiling fans, or in very drafty areas. Drafts can blow smoke away
from the unit, preventing it from reaching sensing chamber.
• In insect infested areas. Insects can clog openings to the sensing chamber and cause
unwanted alarms.
• Less than 12 inches (305 mm) away from fluorescent lights. Electrical “noise” can interfere with the sensor.
• In “dead air” spaces. “Dead air” spaces may prevent smoke from reaching the Smoke
Alarm.
AVOIDING DEAD AIR SPACES
“Dead air” spaces may prevent smoke from reaching the Smoke Alarm. To avoid dead air
spaces, follow the installation recommendations below.
On ceilings, install Smoke Alarms as close to the center of the ceiling as possible. If this is
not possible, install the Smoke Alarm at least 4 inches (102 mm) from the wall or corner.
For wall mounting (if allowed by building codes), the top edge of Smoke Alarms should be
placed between 4 inches (102 mm) and 12 inches (305 mm) from the wall/ceiling line, below
typical “dead air” spaces.
On a peaked, gabled, or cathedral ceiling, install the first Smoke Alarm within 3 feet (0.9
meters) of the peak of the ceiling, measured horizontally. Additional Smoke Alarms may be
required depending on the length, angle, etc. of the ceiling's slope. Refer to NFPA 72 for
details on requirements for sloped or peaked ceilings.
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. AC, AC/DC, or DC powered Smoke Alarms can be used in existing construction as
specified by local building codes. Refer to NFPA 72 (National Fire Alarm Code) and 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 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.
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 the Alarms. 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 children 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 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 the Alarms. 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 dwelling. 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 protection is at least one unit in every sleeping area, and every bedroom on every level of
your dwelling. 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 AC powered units with battery back-up (see
“About 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. Though the alarm hor n 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, 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. You should always replace a Smoke Alarm after 10 years from date of purchase.
Write the purchase date on the space provid
ed on back of unit.
ABOUT 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.
AC with battery (DC) back-up: will
operate if electricity fails, provided the batteries are fresh and correctly installed. AC and
AC/DC units must be installed by a qualified electrician.
Smoke Alarms for Solar or Wind Energy users and battery backup power systems: AC
powered Smoke Alarms should only be operated with true or pure sine wave inverters.
Operating this Smoke Alarm with most battery-powered UPS (uninterruptible power supply)
products or square wave or “quasi sine wave” inverters
will damage the Alarm. If you are
not sure about your inverter or UPS type, please consult with the manufacturer to verify.
Smoke Alarms for the hearing impaired: Special purpose Smoke Alarms should be
installed for the hearing 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.
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 the Alarm. If you are unsure
which type of unit to install, refer to NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) 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.