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13. Limitations of Smoke/Heat Alarms
Warning! Smoke alarms are devices that can provide early warning of possible fires at a reasonable
cost; however, alarms have sensing limitations. Ionisation sensing alarms may detect invisible fire
particles (associated with fast flaming fires) sooner than photoelectric alarms. Photoelectric sensing
alarms may detect visible fire particles (associated with slow smouldering fires) sooner than ionisation
alarms. Home fires develop in different ways and are often unpredictable. For maximum protection,
Kidde recommends that both Ionisation and Photoelectric alarms be installed.
Heat alarms are useful in areas with condensation/dust/high humidity, such as kitchens and lofts. Heat
alarms MUST ALWAYS be interconnected to smoke alarms.
The heat alarm it is a class A2 device and will alarm between 54°C and 70°C.
- they are not suitable
for use as a fire safety device independently, they must always be used in conjunction and
interconnected to smoke alarms.
Loose batteries, where fitted must be of the specified type, in good condition and installed properly.
AC only powered alarms will not operate if AC power has been cut off such as by an electrical fire, an
open fuse or loss of mains supply.
All alarms must be tested regularly to make sure the batteries and the alarm circuits are in good
operating condition.
Life safety from fire in residential occupancies is based primarily on early notification to occupants of
the need to escape, followed by the appropriate egress actions by those occupants. Fire warning
systems for dwelling units are capable of protecting about half of the occupants in potentially fatal fires.
Victims can be involved with the fire, too old or young, or physically or mentally impaired such that they
cannot escape even when warned early enough that escape should be possible. For these people,
other strategies such as protection-in-place or assisted escape or rescue are necessary.
Smoke alarms cannot provide an alarm if smoke does not reach the unit. Therefore, smoke alarms may
not sense fires starting in chimneys, walls, on roofs, on the other side of a closed door or on a different
floor. If the alarm is located outside the bedroom or on a different floor, it may not wake up a sound
sleeper. Equally heat alarms will only be triggered if they are correctly sited to detect heat. The use of
alcohol or drugs may also impair ones ability to hear the alarm. For maximum protection a smoke alarm
should be installed in each sleeping area on every level of a home. Hearing impaired occupiers should
consider fitting additional strobe accessories to give a visual alarm.
Although smoke/heat alarms can help save lives by providing an early warning of a fire, they are not a
substitute for an insurance policy. Home owners and renters should have adequate insurance to protect
their property.
Fire-warning equipment for residential occupancies are capable of protecting about half of the
occupants in potentially fatal fires. Victims are often intimate with the fire, too old or too young, or
physically or mentally impaired such that they cannot escape even when warned early enough that
escape should be possible. For these people, other strategies such as protection-in-place or assisted
escape or rescue would be necessary. If the alarm is located outside the sleeping room or on a different
floor, it may not wake up a sound sleeper.The use of alcohol or drugs may also impair oneʼs ability to
hear the smoke alarm. For maximum protection, a smoke alarm should be installed in each sleeping
area on every level of a home.
If after reviewing this manual you feel that your smoke alarm is defective in any way, do not tamper with
the unit. Refer to Section 14. Contact your Installer, Wholesale Distributor or Landlord.
Guarantee
Kidde Fyrnetics guarantees to you as a purchaser that the enclosed alarm will be free of defects
in material, workmanship or design under normal use and service for a period of 6 years,
excluding any loose batery supplied. This extends to 10 years on Hard Wired Rechargeable,
products (from the date of purchase) including the back up battery/powercell.
The Guarantee is not assignable. Our liability to you, under this guarantee is limited to repairing
or replacing any part which we find to be defective in material, workmanship or design, free of
charge to the customer, who is situated within the UK, upon sending the alarm with proof of date
of purchase, postage prepaid, to Kidde Safety Europe, Mathisen Way, Colnbrook, SL3 0HB, UK.
The terms of this guarantee will not apply in the following circumstances: If alarm has been
damaged, modified, neglected, dismantled, contaminated, abused or altered after the date of
purchase, or if it fails to operate due to incorrect selection, siting, installation, maintenance or
inadequate AC or DC electrical power,or damage caused by failure to abide by the instructions
supplied.
14. Service and Guarantee
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