First Alert SA500 - Manual (Page 5)

LOCATIONS TO AVOID FOR SMOKE ALARMS
For best performance, it is recommended you AVOID installing
Smoke Alarms in these areas:
U Where combustion particles are produced. Combustion particles
form when something burns. Areas to avoid include poorly ventilated
kitchens, garages, and furnace rooms. Keep units at least 20 feet
(6 meters) from the sources of combustion particles (stove, furnace,
water heater, space heater) if possible. In areas where a 20-foot
(6-meter) distance is not possible – in modular, mobile, or smaller
homes, for example – it is recommended the Smoke Alarm be
placed as far from these fuel-burning sources as possible. The
placement recommendations are intended to keep these Alarms at
a reasonable distance from a fuel-burning source, and thus reduce
“unwanted” alarms. Unwanted alarms can occur if a Smoke Alarm is
placed directly next to a fuel-burning source. Ventilate these areas
as much as possible.
U In air streams near kitchens. Air currents can draw cooking smoke
into the sensing chamber of a Smoke Alarm near the kitchen.
U 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.
U 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.
U In very dusty, dirty, or greasy areas. Do not install a Smoke Alarm
directly over the stove or range. Keep laundry room Smoke Alarms
free of dust or lint.
U Near fresh air vents, ceiling fans, or in very drafty areas. Drafts can
blow smoke away from the unit, preventing it from reaching the
sensing chamber.
U In insect infested areas. Insects can clog openings to the sensing
chamber and cause unwanted alarms.
U Less than 12 inches (305mm) away from fluorescent lights. Electrical
“noise” can interfere with the sensor.
U 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 and 12 inches (102 and 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 require-
ments 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 building types 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 build-
ing codes. Refer to NFPA 101 (Life Safety Code) or NFPA 72 (National
Fire Alarm 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.
Continued...
5
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.
ONELINK ® Smoke Alarms with battery (DC) back-up: Interconnects
with all ONELINK ® enabled Smoke and Smoke/CO Alarms without wires
or connectors, so when one alarm sounds, they all sound. Will operate if
electricity fails, provided the batteries are fresh and correctly installed.
Units are easy to install, and do not require professional installation.
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. Can be interconnected so if one unit
senses smoke, all units alarm.
Smoke alarms are not to be used with detector guards unless the
combination has been evaluated and found suitable for that purpose.
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 them. If you are unsure which type of Smoke Alarm 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.
AGENCY PLACEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS, Continued
“A.11.8.3 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 protected 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.”