4 D-302151 MCT-426, MCT-427 Installation Instructions
Figure 8. Recommended Best
and Acceptable Locations to
Mount Smoke Detectors
Figure 9. Recommended
Location to Mount Smoke
Detectors in Rooms with
Sloped, Gabled or Peaked
Ceiling
CAUTION (As required by the California State Fire
Marshall)
"Early warning fire detection is best achieved by the
installation of fire detection equipment in all rooms and
areas of the household as follows:
(1) A smoke detector installed in each separate sleeping area (in the
vicinity, but outside the bedrooms), and (2) Heat or smoke detectors
in the living rooms, dining rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, hallways,
attics, furnace rooms, closets, utility and storage rooms, basements
and attached garages."
4.2 Where Not to Install Smoke Detectors
False alarms occur when smoke detectors are installed where they
will not work properly. To avoid false alarms, do not install smoke
detectors in the following situations:
Combustion particles are by-products of something burning. Do not
install smoke detectors in or near areas where combustion particles
are present, such as kitchens with few windows or poor ventilation,
garages where there may be vehicle exhaust, near furnaces, hot
water heaters and space heaters.
Do not install smoke detectors less than 6 meters (20 feet) away
from places where combustion particles are normally present, like
kitchens. If a 20-foot distance is not possible, try to install the
detector as far away from the combustion particles as possible,
preferably on the wall. To prevent false alarms, provide good
ventilation in such places.
IMPORTANT: Never try to avoid false alarms by disabling the
detector.
Do not mount smoke detectors in the path of fresh air intake. The
flow of fresh air in and out can drive smoke away from the smoke
detector; thus reducing its efficiency. Figure 10 indicates the correct
and incorrect locations concerning this problem.
Near pain thinner fumes.
In close proximity to an automobile exhaust pipe; this will damage
the detector.
In damp or very humid areas or near bathrooms with showers.
Moisture in humid air can enter the sensing chamber, then turns
into droplets upon cooling, which can cause false alarms. Install
smoke detectors at least 3 meters (10 feet) away from bathrooms.
In very cold or very hot areas, including unheated buildings or
outdoor rooms. If the temperature goes above or below the
operating range of smoke detector, it will not work properly. Verify
that the temperature range of the detector falls within the Operating
Temperature, (see chapter 2. Specifications).
In very dusty or dirty areas, dirt and dust can build up on the
detector's sensing chamber, to make it overly sensitive.
Additionally, dust or dirt can block openings to the sensing
chamber and keep the detector from sensing smoke.
Near fresh air vents or very drafty areas like air conditioners,
heaters or fans. Fresh air vents and drafts can drive smoke away
from smoke detectors.
Dead air spaces are often at the top of a peaked roof, or in the
corners between ceilings and walls. Dead air may prevent smoke
from reaching a detector. See Figures 8 and 9 for recommended
mounting locations.
In insect-infested areas. If insects enter a detector's sensing
chamber, they may cause a false alarm. Where bugs are a
problem, get rid of them before putting up a detector.
Near fluorescent lights, electrical "noise" from fluorescent lights
may cause false alarms. Install smoke detectors at least 1.5 meters
(5 feet) from such lights.
Smoke detection depends on the smoke density present in a
room. Smoke density is greater in small rooms, for the same
amount of smoke, than in large rooms.
In small rooms less than 25 cubic meters (883 cubic ft.) in size,
a small amount of smoke may activate a smoke alert. For
example, smoking or bathroom steam may activate a smoke
alert.
Figure 10. Recommended Smoke Detector Locations to Avoid Air
Streams with Combustion Particles
WARNING: Never remove batteries to stop a false alarm. Open a
window or fan the air around the detector to get rid of the smoke. The
alarm will turn itself off when the smoke is gone. If false alarms persist,
attempt to clean the detector as described in this manual.
WARNING: Do not stand close to the detector when the alarm is
sounding. The alarm is loud in order to wake you in an emergency.
Too much exposure to the horn at close range may be harmful to your
hearing.
4.3 Smoke Detector Limitations
A. This smoke detector is designed for use in a single residential unit
or offices, which means that it should be used inside a single
family home or apartment or office.
B. Please refer to NFPA 101, the Life Safety Code, NFPA72 for smoke
detector requirements for fire protection in buildings not defined as
"households".
C. The smoke detector will not sense a fire if the smoke does not
reach the sensor. In order for a smoke detector to sense smoke, it
must be installed in the immediate vicinity of the fire.
In addition, smoke from fires in chimneys, in walls, on roofs, in remote
parts of the building, or on another level from where the smoke detector
is located, may not reach the smoke detector quickly enough for
occupants to escape unharmed. For this reason, installer shall install
smoke detectors on every level, in every sleeping area and in every
bedroom of the household.
D. Smoke detector may not be heard. The alarm horn in this smoke
detector meets or exceeds current Underwriter’s Laboratories
standards. However, if the smoke detector is not located in the same
room as the occupant or if it is blocked by a closed door or normal
noise, the alarm horn may not be heard. In addition, sound sleepers,
or persons who are under the influence of drugs or alcohol may not
hear the alarm or be able to react to it. Therefore, locate this
smoke detector, which has a sounder rated at 85 dB at 10 feet,
on every level, in every sleeping area and in every bedroom of
the household.
E. This detector, if used as a stand-alone unit, will not alert people
who are hard of hearing.
F. In general, detectors may not always warn you about fires
caused by carelessness and safety hazards like smoking in bed,
violent explosions, escaping gas, improper storage of flammable
materials, overloaded electrical circuits, children playing with
matches or arson.
G Smoke detectors are not fool-proof. Like all electronic devices,
smoke detectors have limitations. No type of smoke detector
can sense every kind of fire every time. In addition, smoke
from slow, smoldering fires rises slowly and may not reach
the smoke detector until actual flame breaks out. This type of
smoke may not reach the smoke detector in time for
occupants to escape unharmed.
H. Smoke detectors are not a substitute for life or property
insurance. Though smoke detectors have been responsible for
saving many lives, they are not warranted or implied to protect
lives or property in the event of fire.
I. These wireless systems are very reliable and are tested to high
standards. However, due to their low transmitting power and
limited range (required by the regulatory authorities), there are
some limitations to be considered:
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