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5. Testing, maintenance and readiness for use
Pressing the test button simulates the effect of smoke in the smoke alarm. Therefore it
is not necessary to test the alarm with real smoke.
Specialist alarm companies: If you use a specialist alarm company to maintain your
alarm, it must be tested at least yearly (+/- 3 months) in accordance with DIN 14676.
5.2 Test/silencer button for controlling false alarms
The smoke alarm has a combined test/silencer button to help you control false alarms.
If the alarm goes off but there is no sign of smoke or other hazards, you should still
firstly assume that the alarm was triggered by a fire. The building must be evacuated
immediately.
Check whether smoke or steam from another source, for example from cooking, has
been blown past the alarm by a vent or a flue.
If false alarms occur frequently, you may need to move the alarm to a different location
a sufficient distance away from these sources of error.