Weekly testing, Regular maintenance – BRK electronic SA150C User Manual
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To install this smoke alarm, follow these steps:
This unit is designed to be mounted on the ceiling, or on the wall if necessary.
Tools you will need:
•
Pencil
•
Drill with 3/16” (5 mm) drill bit
•
Standard/Flathead screwdriver
•
Hammer
1. Hold base firmly and pull up on cover tab marked
“OPEN HERE.” This will open the hinged cover. The cover
may unsnap from the base if it's opened too far. This will not
damage the unit—the cover hinge snaps back into place
easily.
2. Hold the smoke alarm base against the ceiling (or wall) and
make a mark at the center of each of the mounting slots with
a pencil.
3. Put the unit where it won’t get covered with dust when you
drill the mounting holes.
4. Using a 3/16” (5 mm) drill bit, drill a hole through each pencil
mark.
5. Insert the plastic screw anchors (in the plastic bag with
screws) into the holes. Tap the screw anchors gently with a
hammer, if necessary, until they are flush with the ceiling or
wall.
6. Tighten the screws (provided) into the screw anchors, then
loosen them two turns.
7. Fit the smoke alarm over the screw heads as shown. Close
cover.
8. If the smoke alarm cover does not line up the way you want it,
rotate the base and re-tighten the screws.
9. Activate the battery. With the cover open, remove and reinstall
the battery so the terminals on the battery match the
terminals on the smoke alarm. Match “+” to “+” and “-” to “-.”
Push the battery in until it snaps in securely and cannot be
shaken loose. If the battery is not snapped in completely, the
unit cannot receive battery power. The smoke alarm may
beep briefly when you install the battery—this is normal.
Models SA150B/C have two batteries—one powers the
alarm, the other powers the Escape Light®.
You must reposition BOTH batteries. The Escape Light®
requires an alkaline battery.
10. Close the cover all the way.
11. Test the smoke alarm. See “Weekly Testing.”
During testing,
you will hear a loud, repeating horn pattern:
3 beeps, pause, 3 beeps, pause
WEEKLY TESTING
It is important to test this unit every week to make sure it is working properly. Using the test button or
remote flashlight test feature are the only recommended ways to test this smoke alarm.
If it does not alarm
during testing, make sure the unit is receiving power. Make sure the battery is fresh, and installed correctly, then test it
again. If it still does not alarm, replace it immediately.
During testing, you will hear a loud, repeating horn pattern: 3 beeps, pause, 3 beeps, pause.
Using The Test Button
Press and hold the test button on the cover of the unit for 5-20 seconds, or until the alarm sounds (the unit may continue
to alarm for a few seconds after you release the button).
Using The Remote Flashlight Test Feature
The Remote Flashlight Test method works best on ceilings up to 15 feet high. Wave a flashlight with a
strong beam rapidly back and forth in a straight line across the test button—at least 3 feet in each
direction—until the alarm sounds. If this method does not work, use the test button to make sure the
alarm is working. If it alarms, try the Remote Flashlight Test method again, making sure to wave the
flashlight very rapidly across the test button.
This method works best on flat ceilings. You may need
to test wall-mounted units, or units on peaked or gabled ceilings manually.
Testing The Escape Light
®
Feature (SA150B/C Only)
The Escape Light
®
should always shine during testing. If the horn sounds, but the light does not shine, install a fresh
alkaline battery in the “Alkaline Only” battery slot, make sure the bulb is not burned out, and re-test. If the light still does
not shine, the unit should be replaced.
The low battery warning “chirp” only identifies that the battery powering the
alarm is getting weak. Testing the smoke alarm is the only way to make sure the Escape Light
®
is working
properly.
REGULAR MAINTENANCE
This unit has been designed to be as maintenance free as possible, but there are a few simple things
you must do to keep it working properly.
•
Test it at least once a week.
•
Test units used in RVs after the vehicle has been in storage, before every trip, and once a week while in use.
Failure to test units used in RVs as described may remove your protection.
•
Clean the smoke alarm at least once a month; gently vacuum off any dust using your household
vacuum’s soft brush attachment. 1. Open the cover and disconnect the battery. 2. GENTLY vacuum the
inside of the cover and the sensor chamber. 3. Reconnect the battery. 4. Close the smoke alarm, and vac-
uum the outside of the cover. 5. Test the smoke alarm.
Never use water, cleaners or solvents since they
may damage the unit.
•
Relocate the unit if it sounds frequent unwanted alarms. See “Where Not To Install Smoke Alarms.”
•
When the battery becomes weak, the smoke alarm unit will “chirp” about once a minute (the low battery warn-
ing). This low battery warning should last for 30 days, but you should replace the battery immediately to con-
tinue your protection.
Choosing a replacement battery:
Models SA90B and SA90C Only:
Your smoke alarm requires one standard 9V battery. The following batteries are
acceptable as replacements: Eveready #216, (Energizer) #522, #1222; Duracell #MN1604; Gold Peak #1604P, #1604S;
Rayovac 1604, D1604.
Models SA150B and SA150C Only:
Your smoke alarm requires two 9V batteries—one to power the alarm, and an
alkaline battery to power the Escape Light
®
. The following batteries are acceptable as replacements to power the alarm:
Eveready Energizer #522, #1222; Duracell #MN1604; Rayovac 1604, D1604. The following batteries are acceptable as
replacements to power the Escape Light
®
: Eveready Energizer #522; Duracell #MN1604.
All Models:
You may also use a Lithium battery like the Ultralife U9VL-J for longer service life between battery changes.
All batteries listed here are available at many local retail stores.
IMPORTANT!
Most carbon zinc batteries have an average service life of 1 year; most alkaline batteries have an average service life
of 1-2 years; most Lithium batteries have an average service life of 6-10 years. Actual service life depends on the
smoke alarm and the environment in which it is installed. All the batteries specified above are acceptable
replacement batteries for this unit. Regardless of the manufacturer’s suggested battery life, you MUST replace the
battery immediately once the unit starts “chirping” (the “low battery warning”).
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WARNING
!
NEVER use an open flame of any kind to test this unit. You might accidentally damage or set fire to the unit or to
your home. The built-in test switch accurately tests the unit’s operation as required by Underwriters Laboratories,
Inc. (UL). If you choose to use an aerosol smoke product to test the smoke alarm, be certain to use one that has
been Listed to Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. Safety Standards, and use it only as directed. Use of non-UL Listed
products or improper use of UL Listed products may affect the smoke alarm’s sensitivity.
WARNING
!
Use only the replacement batteries listed below. The unit may not operate properly with other
batteries. Never use rechargeable batteries since they may not provide a constant charge.