Universal Security Instruments SS-2895-C User Manual

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MODEL SS-2895

EARL Y W ARNING
PHOTOELECTRIC
SMOKE & FIRE ALARM
WITH SILENCE CONTROL

READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS

The smoke alarm has a recommended service life of at least 10 years under normal
conditions.

INST ALLER: PLEASE LEA VE THIS MANUAL WITH THE PRODUCT .

SMOKE ALARM LIMITA TIONS AND FUNCTIONS

• THERE ARE TWO BASIC SMOKE ALARM TYPES - IONIZATION AND PHOTOELECTRIC.
Ionization smoke alarms are your best overall choice for reliability and fast response
time, since they quickly sense small "invisible" smoke particles and will also sense
larger "visible" smoke particles. Photoelectric smoke alarms may respond more quickly
in certain types of fires, for example - slow smoldering fires with large "visible" smoke
particles. ALL TYPES OF SMOKE ALARMS HAVE LIMITATIONS. NO TYPE OF SMOKE
ALARM CAN SENSE EVERY KIND OF FIRE OR SMOKE EVERY TIME.

• WARNING - SMOKE ALARMS WILL NOT WORK DURING A LOSS OF POWER. SINCE A
SMOKE ALARM WILL NOT WORK WITHOUT POWER, having an alarm(s) that works from two
completely different power sources, such as an AC direct wire with battery backup smoke
alarm, can give you an extra measure of protection in case of an AC power failure or a dead
battery.

• USING A SMOKE ALARM IN A SMOKY AREA LIKE A KITCHEN, OR IN A HIGH HUMIDITY
AREA NEAR A SHOWER, CAN CAUSE FALSE ALARMS. DO NOT TURN OFF THE AC
POWER TO QUIET THE ALARM. A SMOKE ALARM WILL NOT HELP PROTECT YOU IF IT
IS NOT POWERED. Properly locate your alarm to avoid nuisance alarms.

• A SMOKE ALARM MA Y NOT ALW AYS WARN YOU ABOUT FIRES CAUSED BY CARELESSNESS
AND SAFETY HAZARDS LIKE SMOKING IN BED, VIOLENT EXPLOSIONS, ESCAPING GAS,
IMPROPER STORAGE OF FLAMMABLE MATERIALS, OVERLOADED ELECTRICAL CIRCUITS,
CHILDREN PLAYING WITH MA TCHES, NA TURAL CAUSES SUCH AS LIGHTNING , OR ARSON.
FIRE PREVENTION IS YOUR BEST SAFEGUARD.

• INSTALLING SMOKE ALARMS MAY MAKE YOU ELIGIBLE FOR LOWER INSURANCE
RATES, but SMOKE ALARMS ARE NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR INSURANCE. Homeowners
and renters alike should continue to insure their lives and properties.

• 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 (only) powered units cannot work if the AC power is cut
off for any reason. 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 may not reach the sensing chamber and set off the alarm. One unit
should be installed inside each bedroom or sleeping area.

• SMOKE ALARMS MAY NOT DETECT FIRE ON ANOTHER FLOOR OR AREA OF THE
HOME. Recommended minimum protection is at least one unit in every sleeping area
and every bedroom on every level of your home. Interconnected units may provide earlier
warning than stand-alone units since all units alarm when one detects smoke.

• SMOKE ALARMS MAY NOT BE HEARD. The alarm horn in this unit meets or exceeds
current standards, but 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 stereos, TV's, air conditioners or other appliances or (4) if
residents are hearing impaired or sound sleepers.

• SMOKE ALARMS ARE NOT FOOLPROOF. You must test the unit weekly to ensure your
continued protection. Smoke alarms cannot prevent or extinguish fires.

• 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.

• SMOKE ALARMS ARE NOT TO BE USED WITH DETECTOR GUARDS UNLESS THE
COMBINATION HAS BEEN EVALUATED AND FOUND SUITABLE FOR THA T PURPOSE.

• CURRENT STUDIES HAVE SHOWN SMOKE ALARMS MA Y NOT A WAKEN ALL SLEEPING
INDIVIDUALS AND THAT IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF INDIVIDUALS IN THE
HOUSEHOLD WHO ARE CAPABLE OF ASSISTING OTHERS TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE
TO THOSE WHO MAY NOT BE AWAKENED BY THE ALARM SOUND OR TO THOSE
WHO MAY BE INCAPABLE OF SAFEL Y EVACUA TING THE AREA UNASSISTED.

RECOMMENDED LOCATION OF ALARMS

• Locate the first smoke alarm in the immediate area of the bedrooms. Try to protect the escape
route as the bedrooms are usually farthest from an exit. If more than one sleeping area exists,
locate additional smoke alarms in each sleeping area. If a hall is more than 40 feet (12 meters)
long, install a smoke alarm at each end.

• Locate additional smoke alarms to protect any stairway as stairways act like chimneys for
smoke and heat.

• Locate at least one smoke alarm on every floor level.

• Locate a smoke alarm in any area where a smoker sleeps or where electrical appliances are
operated in sleeping areas.

• Smoke, heat and other combustion products rise to the ceiling and spread horizontally . Mounting
the smoke alarm on the ceiling in the center of the room places it closest to all points in the room.
Ceiling mounting is preferred in ordinary residential construction. However, in mobile homes, wall
mounting on an inside partition is preferred to avoid the thermal barrier that may form at the
ceiling.

• When mounting smoke alarm on the ceiling, locate it a minimum of 4" (10cm) from a side wall
or corner (see Diagram A).

• When mounting smoke alarm on a wall, if local codes allow, use an inside wall with the top edge
of the smoke alarm a minimum of 4" (10cm) and a maximum of 12" (30.5cm) below the ceiling/
wall intersections (See Diagram A).

Existing Homes:
The NFPA requires a smoke alarm on every level and out side each sleeping area in existing construction. A n
existing household with one level and one sleeping area is required to have one smoke alarm.

New Construction Homes and Manufactured Homes:
The NFPA requires AC-powered, interconnected smoke alarms to be installed inside each bedroom, out side each
bedroom area, and on every level of the home. They also require a minimum of two AC-powered, interconnected
smoke alarms in any new construction home.

Sloped Ceilings (Peaked Ceilings):
Smoke alarms or smoke detectors mounted on a peaked ceiling shall be located within 36 in. (914 mm) horizontally
of the peak, but not closer than 4 in. (102 mm) vertically to the peak.

Sloped Ceilings (Shed Ceilings):
Smoke alarms or smoke detectors mounted on a sloped ceiling having a rise greater than 1 ft. in 8 ft. (1 m in 8
m) horizontally shall be located within 36 in. (914 mm) of the high side of the ceiling, but not closer than 4 in. (102
mm) from the adjoining wall surface.

Tray-Shaped Ceilings:
Smoke Alarms or smoke detectors shall be installed on the highest portion of the ceiling or on the sloped portion
of the ceiling within 12 in. (305 mm) vertically down from the highest point.

Mobile Home Installation:
For minimum protection, smoke alarms should be installed in compliance with H.U.D. Manufactured Home
Construction Safety Standards, Title 24 CFR, Section 3280.208 and Section 3282. For additional protection, see
Single Story Residence smoke alarm requirements/recommendations for Existing Homes and New Construction
Homes.

Note: For mobile homes built before 1978, install smoke alarms on inside walls between 4” and 12” from the
ceiling (older mobile homes have little or no insulation in the ceiling). This is especially important if the ceiling
is unusually hot or cold.

Install a smoke alarm inside each bedroom and in the hallway outside each separate sleeping area.

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• the garage – products of combustion are present when you start your automobile.

• near appliances or areas where normal combustion regularly occurs (kitchens, near furnaces,

gas hot water heaters). Use smoke alarms with Silence Control for these areas.

• in areas with high humidity, like bathrooms or areas near dishwashers or washing machines.

Install at least 3 feet (0.9 meters) away from these areas.

• in areas of turbulent air such as air returns or heating and cooling supply vents, smoke alarms

shall not be located where airflow prevents operation of the alarms.

• in extremely dusty, dirty or insect-infested areas. Loose particles interfere with smoke alarm operation.

• in areas where temperature may fall below 400F (4.40C) or rise above 1000F (37.80C).

• closer than 1 foot (0.3m) from fluorescent lights, electrical "noise" and flickering may affect the

alarm's operation.

• closer than 3 feet (0.9m) horizontal path from the tip of the blade of a ceiling suspended (paddle) fan.

• on a poorly insulated ceiling or exterior wall (mount smoke alarm on an inside wall).

THIS SMOKE ALARM WILL NOT WORK WITHOUT 120 VAC POWER AND A
GOOD BATTERY PROPERLY INSTALLED. THE SMOKE ALARM SHOULD BE
TESTED WHEN INSTALLED AND THEN TESTED WEEKLY AFTER THAT.

AVOID THESE LOCATIONS

The smoke alarm is designed to minimize false alarms. Smoking will not normally set off the alarm
unless smoke is blown directly into the smoke alarm. Combustion particles from cooking may set off
the alarm if the smoke alarm is located close to the kitchen cooking surface. Large quantities of
combustion particles are generated from spills or broiling.

If the smoke alarm does sound, check for fires first. If a fire is discovered, get out and call the fire
department. If no fire is present, check to see if one of the reasons listed above may have caused
the alarm. Use the "silence" feature if it is a false alarm.

INSTALLA TION AND OPERA TION

INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS: CAUTION!! READ CAREFULLY.
CAUTION: THIS UNIT IS SEALED. THE COVER IS NOT REMOVABLE!

FALSE ALARMS

• A mounting plate is provided on the back of the alarm.

• Remove the mounting plate from the back of the alarm by holding the mounting plate and twisting

the alarm in the direction indicated by the "TURN TO REMOVE" arrow on the side of the alarm
base.

Installation of this unit must conform to the electrical codes in your area; Article 760 of the
National Electrical Code, NFPA 72, 101; SBC (SBCCI); UBC (ICBO); NBC (BOCA): OTFDC
(CABO), and any other local or building codes that may apply. Wiring and installation must be
performed by a licensed electrician. Failure to follow these guidelines may result in injury or
property damage.

This unit must be powered by a 24-hour, 120V AC 60Hz circuit. Be sure the circuit cannot be
turned off by a switch, dimmer or ground fault circuit interrupter. Failure to connect this unit
to a 24-hour circuit may prevent it from providing constant protection.

IMPORTANT: Do not subject this smoke alarm to megger, high voltage or high-pot tests.
Remove the smoke alarm(s) before high-potting tests occur on the circuit or system.
(Ref. Section 550-17, National Electric Code, 2002 Edition).

ELECTRICAL SHOCK HAZARD

Turn off power to the area where you will install this unit at the circuit breaker or fuse box
before beginning installation. Failure to turn off the power before installation may result in
serious electrical shock, injury or death.

TAMPER LOCKING PIN: To make your alarm somewhat tamper resistant, a locking pin has been
provided. Using this pin will deter children and others from removing the alarm from the mounting
plate. To use the pin, insert it into the hole in the side of the alarm after it has been installed on the
mounting plate. Using long nose pliers, pull the pin out of the hole. It is now possible to remove the
alarm from the mounting plate.

1. Turn the alarm counterclockwise in the direction indicated by the "TURN TO REMOVE" arrow

on the side of the alarm base to remove it from the mounting plate. NOTE: The alarm is sealed
and the cover is not removable.

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