BROOKS AUSTRALIA RFP6 Installer ISSUE 4
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• Locate away from very dusty or dirty areas as dust build-up in the chamber
can make unit too sensitive and prone to alarm. It can also block the insect
screen mesh and prevent smoke from entering the chamber.
• Do not locate in insect infested areas. Small insects getting in to the chamber
can cause intermittent alarms.
1.5 Limitations of Smoke Alarms
Smoke / Heat alarms have significantly helped to reduce the number of fire fatalities in
countries where they are widely installed.
However independent authorities have stated that they may be ineffective in up to
35% of all fires. There are a number of reasons for this:
• Smoke Alarms will not detect fire if sufficient smoke does not reach the alarm.
Smoke may be prevented from reaching the alarm if the fire is too far away.
Installing smoke alarms on both sides of closed doors and installing more than
one smoke alarm as recommended in this handbook very significantly improves
the probability of early detection.
• Smoke / Heat Alarms which are not maintained or are tampered with may not
function reliably.
• The Smoke Alarm may not be heard.
• A smoke alarm may not wake a person who has taken drugs or alcohol.
• Smoke Alarms may not detect every type of fire to give sufficient early warning.
They are particularly ineffective with: fires caused by escaping gas, violent
explosions, poor storage of flammable rags and/or liquids, (for example petrol,
paint, spirits etc) overloaded electrical circuits, arson, children playing with
matches.
Smoke Alarms don’t last indefinitely. The manufacturer recommends replacement
after 10 years as a precaution.
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