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Warning! Limitations of Smoke Alarms
Wireless smoke alarms have been proven to be both effective and reliable,
but they may not be effective under all conditions. No alarm design can offer
total protection of life and property. A smoke alarm is not a substitute for an
adequate homeowner’s fire insurance or life insurance policy.
Smoke alarms will not work without a source of power. The alarm will not
operate and the alarm will not sound if the batteries have died or been
deactivated. Or in the case of an AC powered alarm, the wiring has not been
properly connected.
Radio communication between alarm units may fail to take place if significant
changes to the home have occurred since installation and testing. Moving
large objects such as a refrigerator or metal cabinet could impede alarm radio
performance.
The alarm warning signal may not be heard. A deep sleeper, hearing-impaired
person, young child or someone impaired by drugs or alcohol may not awaken
in response to an alarm activation. This can occur even when an alarm is located
inside the individual’s bedroom. Be sure fire drills are practiced that take this
possibility into account.
Current studies have shown smoke alarms may not awaken all sleeping
individuals, and that it is the responsibility of individuals in the household that
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 safely
evacuating the area unassisted.
Smoke alarms may not always activate and provide early enough warning.
A smoke alarm will only activate when it is maintained in working order and
sufficient smoke reaches the unit. Certain fires can originate inside of walls,
attics or on the other side of closed doors. This may prevent smoke from
reaching the alarm.
Smoke alarms may not be effective in certain situations, such as: Fires where the
victim is intimate with a flaming fire; for example, when a person’s clothes catch
fire while cooking; Fires where the smoke is prevented from reaching the alarm
due to a closed door or other obstruction; Incendiary fires where the fire grows
so rapidly that an occupant’s egress is blocked even with the properly located
alarms.
SMOKE ALARMS CANNOT GUARANTEE THAT YOU WILL NEVER SUFFER ANY
DAMAGE OR INJURY FROM A FIRE.
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