User manual FIRST ALERT SA320

[. . . ] USER'S MANUAL SMOKE ALARMS All First Alert® and BRK® Smoke Alarms conform to regulatory requirements, including UL217 and are designed to detect particles of combustion. Ionization technology is generally more sensitive than photoelectric technology at detecting small particles, which tend to be produced in greater amounts by flaming fires, which consume combustible materials rapidly and spread quickly. Sources of these fires may include paper burning in a wastebasket, or a grease fire in the kitchen. Photoelectric technology is generally more sensitive than ionization technology at detecting large particles, which tend to be produced in greater amounts by smoldering fires, which may smolder for hours before bursting into flame. [. . . ] If a hall is more than 40 feet long (12 meters), install a unit at each end. · At the top of the first-to-second floor stairway, and at the bottom of the basement stairway. Specific requirements for Smoke Alarm installation vary from state to state and from region to region. Check with your local Fire Department for current requirements in your area. It is recommended AC or AC/DC units be interconnected for added protection. SILENCING THE LOW BATTERY WARNING This Silence Feature can temporarily quiet the low battery warning "chirp" for up to 8 hours. Press the Test/Silence button on the Alarm cover until you hear the acknowledge "chirp". Once the low battery warning "chirp" silence feature is activated, the unit continues to flash the green light once a minute for approximately 8 hours. Replace the batteries as soon as possible; this unit will not operate without battery power! LATCHING FEATURE Alarm Latch is activated after an Alarm is exposed to alarm levels of smoke. After smoke levels drop below alarm levels, the Red LED will begin flashing 2 seconds on, 2 seconds off unless reset by test/silence button. It will continue to flash or "latch" for about 15 minutes, to give you time to determine which unit initiated the alarm. This feature helps emergency responders, investigators, or service technicians identify which unit(s) in your home were exposed to alarm levels of smoke. Low Battery Latch is activated when the Alarm is in the "low battery condition". This feature is designed to help you identify which Alarm needs to have the battery replaced. Although, the Alarm will sound the low battery chirp approximately once every minute, sometimes during the initial stages of "low battery", the Alarm will chirp in greater intervals than one minute, sometimes up to several hours, until the battery reaches a steady low battery level. This innovative feature eliminates the frustration of waiting for and/or identifying which unit is chirping. It will continue to flash or "latch" for about 15 minutes, to give you time to determine which unit has a low battery. IF YOU SUSPECT A PROBLEM Smoke Alarms may not operate properly because of dead, missing or weak batteries, a build-up of dirt, dust or grease on the Smoke Alarm cover, or installation in an improper location. Clean the Smoke Alarm as described in "Regular Maintenance, " and install fresh batteries, then test the Smoke Alarm again. If it fails to test properly when you use the test button, or if the problem persists, replace the Smoke Alarm immediately. · If you hear a "chirp" approximately once a minute, replace the batteries. · If you experience frequent non-emergency alarms (like those caused by cooking smoke), try relocating the Smoke Alarm. · If the alarm sounds when no smoke is visible, try cleaning or relocating the Smoke Alarm. · If the alarm does not sound during testing, try installing new batteries, and make sure they are installed correctly. [. . . ] Special purpose units, like those with visual and audible alarms, should be installed for hearing impaired residents. Smoke Alarms may not have time to alarm before the fire itself causes damage, injury, or death, since smoke from some fires may not reach the unit immediately. Examples of this include persons smoking in bed, children playing with matches, or fires caused by violent explosions resulting from escaping gas. Like any electronic device, Smoke Alarms are made of components that can wear out or fail at any time. [. . . ]