USER’S MANUAL SMOKE ALARMS Smoke particles of varying number and size are produced in all fires. 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.
TABLE OF CONTENTS OTHER FEATURES OF SMOKE ALARMS Where To Install Smoke Alarms . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Where Not To Install Smoke Alarms . . . . . . . . . . .3 Important! Read Before You Install This Smoke Alarm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Understanding the Indicator Lights and Alarm Horn Patterns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 Locking Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 How To Install This Smoke Alarm . . . . . . . . . . . .
WHERE TO INSTALL SMOKE ALARMS INSTALLING SMOKE ALARMS IN SINGLE-FAMILY AND MULTI-FAMILY RESIDENCES NEW CONSTRUCTION The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), recommends one Smoke Alarm on every floor, in every sleeping area, and in every bedroom. In new construction, the Smoke Alarms must be AC powered and interconnected. See “Agency Placement Recommendations” for details.
More specifically, install Smoke Alarms: National Fire Protection Association, One Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02269-9101. Additional local building and regulatory codes may apply in your area. Always check compliance requirements before beginning any installation. • On every level of your home, including finished attics and basements. • Inside every bedroom, especially if people sleep with the door partly or completely closed. • In the hall near every sleeping area.
vide reliable early warning protection for those areas separated by a door from the areas protected by the required Smoke Alarms. For this reason, it is recommended that the householder consider the use of additional Smoke Alarms for those areas for increased protection. The additional areas include the basement, bedrooms, dining room, furnace room, utility room, and hallways not protected by the required smoke alarms.
AVOIDING DEAD AIR SPACES “Dead air” spaces may prevent smoke from reaching the Smoke Alarm. To avoid dead air spaces, follow the installation recommendations below. FOR STANDARD, FLAT CEILINGS 4" 4" Do not install top of smoke alarm lower than 12" (305 mm) from the wall/ceiling line Best Location (center of ceiling) Acceptable Location Dead Air Spaces (4" or 102 mm) On ceilings, install Smoke Alarms as close to the center of the ceiling as possible.
IMPORTANT! READ BEFORE YOU INSTALL THIS SMOKE ALARM Read “Where To Install Smoke Alarms” and “Where Not To Install Smoke Alarms” before beginning. This unit monitors the air, and when smoke reaches its sensing chamber, it alarms. It can give you more time to escape before fire spreads. This unit can ONLY give an early warning of developing fires if it is installed, maintained and located where smoke can reach it, and where all residents can hear it, as described in this manual.
Read Before You Install This Smoke Alarm (continued)... Never disconnect the power from an AC powered unit to stop an unwanted alarm. Doing so will disable the unit and remove your protection. In the case of a true unwanted alarm open a window or fan the smoke away from the unit. The alarm will reset automatically when it returns to normal operation. Never remove the batteries from a battery operated unit to stop an unwanted alarm (caused by cooking smoke, etc.).
IMPORTANT INSTALLATION PARTS LOCKING FEATURES The Mounting Bracket: To remove the mounting bracket from the Smoke Alarm base, hold the Smoke Alarm base firmly and twist the mounting bracket off. The mounting bracket installs onto the junction box. It has a variety of screw slots to fit most boxes. The locking features are designed to prevent unauthorized removal of the battery or alarm.
To Lock The Battery Compartment (Models 4120B and 4120SB Only) To Unlock The Battery Compartment (Models 4120B and 4120SB Only) Do not lock the battery compartment until you have activated the battery and tested the battery back-up. Once the Smoke Alarm is installed, you must disconnect it from the AC power before unlocking the battery compartment. 1. Activate the battery back-up by removing the “Pull to Activate Battery Back-Up” tab. ELECTRICAL SHOCK HAZARD.
To Unlock the Battery Compartment (continued)... 4. To relock the battery compartment, close the battery door and reinsert locking pin in lock. 5. Reconnect the power connector to the back of the Smoke Alarm, reattach the Smoke Alarm to the mounting bracket, and restore the power. To Unlock The Mounting Bracket ELECTRICAL SHOCK HAZARD. Turn off the power to the area where the Smoke Alarm is installed before removing it from the mounting bracket.
HOW TO INSTALL THIS SMOKE ALARM This unit is designed to be mounted on any standard wiring junction box up to a 4-inch size, on either the ceiling or wall. Read “Where to Install Smoke Alarms” and “Where Not To Install Smoke Alarms” before you begin installation. If a junction box is not already in place, install one using standard #12 or #14 gauge solid copper Appliance Wiring Material (AWM).
INSTALLING A SINGLE (STAND-ALONE) SMOKE ALARM 4. Position the base of the Smoke Alarm over the mounting bracket and turn. The Alarm can be positioned over the bracket every 60°. Turn the Smoke Alarm clockwise (right) until the unit is in place. Tools you will need: Standard/Flathead screwdriver. 5. If you are only installing one unit, restore power to the junction box. ELECTRICAL SHOCK HAZARD.
INTERCONNECTING MULTIPLE SMOKE ALARMS Interconnected units can provide earlier warning of fire than stand-alone units, especially if a fire starts in a remote area of the dwelling. If any unit in the series senses smoke, all units will alarm. To determine which smoke alarm initiated an alarm, see table: On Intiating Alarms Red LED(s) flashes(flash) rapidly On All Other Alarms Red LED is Off Interconnected units will only work if they are wired to compatible units and all requirements are met.
Interconnecting Multiple Smoke Alarms A } 5 4 3 2 1 • Connect the orange wire on the power connector to the interconnect wire in the junction box. Repeat for each unit you are interconnecting. Never connect the hot or neutral wires in the junction box to the orange interconnect wire. Never cross hot and neutral wires between Alarms. 4. Plug the power connector into the back of the Smoke Alarm. 5. Position the base of the Smoke Alarm over the mounting bracket and turn.
When testing a series of interconnected units you must test each unit individually. Make sure all units alarm when each one is tested. Model 4120SB Only: During installation, if you accidentally press the Silence button, the alarm will “chirp” once a minute for up to 15 minutes and the Test feature will be temporarily disabled. This is normal. The “chirping” will stop once the alarm returns to normal operation.
Most carbon zinc batteries have an average service life of 1 year; most alkaline batteries have an average service life of 1-2 years; most Lithium batteries have an average service life of 6-10 years. Actual service life depends on the smoke alarm and the environment in which it is installed. All the batteries specified above are acceptable replacement batteries for this unit.
MODEL 4120SB ONLY— USING THE SILENCE FEATURE 3. While the units are in the “silence mode,” the test buttons will not operate. The alarms cannot be tested while in the silence mode. The Silence feature on this unit can temporarily quiet an unwanted alarm for several minutes. 4. The “chirping” on the initiating alarm will stop once the unit returns to normal operation. The Silence feature does not disable the unit—it makes it temporarily less sensitive to smoke.
PROTECTING YOUR FAMILY FROM FIRE Putting up Smoke Alarms is just one step in protecting your family from fires. You must also reduce the chance a fire will start in your dwelling, and have a plan for escaping safely if one does. To have a good fire safety program, you must: Follow safety rules, and prevent hazardous situations: 1) Use smoking materials properly. Never smoke in bed. 2) Keep matches or lighters away from children. 3) Store flammable materials in proper containers.
WHAT TO DO IN CASE OF FIRE IF YOUR SMOKE ALARM NEEDS SERVICE • Don’t panic; stay calm. Follow your escape plan. Your safe escape may depend on thinking clearly and remembering what you have practiced. Always discharge the branch circuit before servicing an AC or AC/DC Smoke Alarm. First, turn off the AC power at the circuit breaker or fuse box. Next, remove the battery from Smoke Alarms with battery back-up. Finally, press and hold the test button for 5-10 seconds to discharge the branch circuit.
TROUBLESHOOTING ELECTRICAL SHOCK HAZARD. Always TURN OFF POWER before checking connections or disconnecting any Smoke Alarm! Problem.... You should... Smoke Alarm sounds when no smoke is visible. • Clean the Smoke Alarm. (See “Testing and Maintenance.”) • Check the location of the Alarm. (See Where To Install Smoke Alarms.”) • Check if you accidently pushed the Test Button. You experience frequent unwanted alarms (like in response to cooking smoke) • Check the location of the Smoke Alarm.
SPECIAL COMPLIANCE CONSIDERATIONS This unit alone is not a suitable substitute for complete fire detection systems in places housing many people—like apartment buildings, condominiums, hotels, motels, dormitories, hospitals, long-term health care facilities, nursing homes, day care facilities, or group homes of any kind—even if they were once single-family homes.
LIMITATIONS OF SMOKE ALARMS Smoke alarms have played a key role in reducing deaths resulting from home fires worldwide. However, like any warning device, smoke alarms can only work if they are properly located, installed, and maintained, and if smoke reaches them. They are not foolproof. Smoke Alarms cannot work without power. Battery operated units cannot work if the batteries are missing, disconnected or dead, if the wrong type of batteries are used, or if the batteries are not installed correctly.
10-YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY Coverage: BRK Brands, Inc. ("BRK") the maker of BRK Electronics® brand products, warrants that for a period of 10 years from the date of purchase, this product will be free from defects in material and workmanship. BRK, at its option, will repair or replace this product or any component of the product found to be defective during the warranty period. Replacement will be made with a new or remanufactured product or component.
