PLACE alerts homeowners to the presence of dangerous smoke and carbon monoxide using a low frequency signal. Because PLACE is designed to detect smoke and carbon monoxide gas from an actual fire, it is uncommon for household smoke such as cigarette smoke or normal cooking smoke to cause an alarm. But it is important to understand the limitations of this device.
No early warning device can protect all occupants from every kind of fire every time.
Early warning devices may not be effective for:
• Fires where the victim is intimate with a flaming initiated fire; for example, when a person’s clothes catch on fire while cooking.
• Occupants who are not awakened or are unable to escape in response to the alarm. If occupants do not readily awaken to the sound of the device or if there are infants or occupants with mobility limitations, make sure that someone is assigned to assist them in the event of an emergency.
• Instances when device may not be heard. Low frequency alarm decibel rating meets or exceeds current ANSI/UL217 standard of 79dBA at 10 feet (3 meters). Device
may not awaken hearing impaired, sound sleepers, or persons under influence of drugs or alcohol. Even occupants who are awake may not hear device if sound is
obstructed by distance, closed doors, or noise from traffic, stereo, radio, television,
air conditioner, or other appliances.
• Fires where smoke or heat is prevented from reaching device due to closed doors
or other obstructions.
Early warning devices may not be effective for:
• Incendiary fires where fire grows so rapidly that an occupant’s egress is blocked even with properly located devices, including fires caused by violent explosions, escaping gas, improper storage of flammable materials, or arson.
This device has additional limitations:
• Device will not work without power. Batteries must be connected to the device to maintain proper operation if AC power supply is cut off by an electrical fire, an open fuse or circuit breaker, or for any other reason. In the event of AC power failure, batteries will supply power to device for minimum of 24 hours.
• For solar or wind energy users and battery back-up power systems: AC powered device should only be operated with true or pure sine wave inverters. Operating device with most battery powered UPS (uninterruptible power supply) products or square wave or “quasi sine wave” inverters will damage device. If information about inverter or UPS type is unknown, please consult with manufacturer to verify.
• Device may not sense smoke or CO that cannot reach the device such as in chimneys, walls, on roofs, or on other side of closed doors. If bedroom doors are closed at night, devices should be placed in each bedroom and in common hallway between them.
• Device may not sense smoke or CO on another level of home. For example, a second-floor device may not sense smoke or CO on first floor or basement. Therefore, devices should be placed on every level and interconnected.
• Device may not alarm when large influx of CO introduced into house. An example of possible source of large in-rush of CO is a generator running in an attached, enclosed garage when a door to connected residence is opened.
• Device is not substitute for insurance. Although smoke/CO alarms may help lower insurance premiums, homeowners and renters should insure their lives and property.
• Device has limited life. Although device has passed stringent tests and is designed to be reliable, device or components could fail at any time. Therefore, you must test your device weekly.
• Device intended only for residential use. Not intended for use in industrial applications where Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requirements for smoke and CO alarms must be met.
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