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WARNING Please Read Carefully
Note to Installers
This warning contains vital information. As the only individual in contact
with system users, it is your responsibility to bring each item in this warning
to the attention of the users of this system.
System Failures
This system has been carefully designed to be as effective as possible. There
are circumstances, however, involving fire, burglary, or other types of emer-
gencies where it may not provide protection. Any alarm system of any type
may be compromised deliberately or may fail to operate as expected for a
variety of reasons. Some but not all of these reasons may be:
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■ Inadequate Installation
A security system must be installed properly in order to provide adequate
protection. Every installation should be evaluated by a security professional
to ensure that all access points and areas are covered. Locks and latches on
windows and doors must be secure and operate as intended. Windows, doors,
walls, ceilings and other building materials must be of sufficient strength and
construction to provide the level of protection expected. A reevaluation must
be done during and after any construction activity. An evaluation by the fire
and/or police department is highly recommended if this service is available.
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■ Criminal Knowledge
This system contains security features which were known to be effective at
the time of manufacture. It is possible for persons with criminal intent to
develop techniques which reduce the effectiveness of these features. It is
important that a security system be reviewed periodically to ensure that its
features remain effective and that it be updated or replaced if it is found that
it does not provide the protection expected.
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■ Access by Intruders
Intruders may enter through an unprotected access point, circumvent a
sensing device, evade detection by moving through an area of insuffi-
cient coverage, disconnect a warning device, or interfere with or prevent
the proper operation of the system.
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■ Power Failure
Control units, intrusion detectors, smoke detectors and many other security
devices require an adequate power supply for proper operation. If a device
operates from batteries, it is possible for the batteries to fail. Even if the
batteries have not failed, they must be charged, in good condition and in-
stalled correctly. If a device operates only by AC power, any interruption,
however brief, will render that device inoperative while it does not have power.
Power interruptions of any length are often accompanied by voltage fluctua-
tions which may damage electronic equipment such as a security system. Af-
ter a power interruption has occurred, immediately conduct a complete sys-
tem test to ensure that the system operates as intended.
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■ Failure of Replaceable Batteries
This system’s wireless transmitters have been designed to provide several
years of battery life under normal conditions. The expected battery life is a
function of the device environment, usage and type. Ambient conditions such
as high humidity, high or low temperatures, or large temperature fluctuations
may reduce the expected battery life. While each transmitting device has a
low battery monitor which identifies when the batteries need to be replaced,
this monitor may fail to operate as expected. Regular testing and maintenance
will keep the system in good operating condition.
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■ Compromise of Radio Frequency (Wireless)
Devices
Signals may not reach the receiver under all circumstances which could
include metal objects placed on or near the radio path or deliberate jam-
ming or other inadvertent radio signal interference.
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■ System Users
A user may not be able to operate a panic or emergency switch possibly due to
permanent or temporary physical disability, inability to reach the device in
time, or unfamiliarity with the correct operation. It is important that all sys-
tem users be trained in the correct operation of the alarm system and that they
know how to respond when the system indicates an alarm.
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■ Smoke Detectors
Smoke detectors that are a part of this system may not properly alert occupants
of a fire for a number of reasons, some of which follow. The smoke detectors
may have been improperly installed or positioned. Smoke may not be able to
reach the smoke detectors, such as when the fire is in a chimney, walls or roofs,
or on the other side of closed doors. Smoke detectors may not detect smoke
from fires on another level of the residence or building.
Every fire is different in the amount of smoke produced and the rate of
burning. Smoke detectors cannot sense all types of fires equally well. Smoke
detectors may not provide timely warning of fires caused by carelessness
or safety hazards such as smoking in bed, violent explosions, escaping gas,
improper storage of flammable materials, overloaded electrical circuits, chil-
dren playing with matches or arson.
Even if the smoke detector operates as intended, there may be circumstances
when there is insufficient warning to allow all occupants to escape in time to
avoid injury or death.
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■ Motion Detectors
Motion detectors can only detect motion within the designated areas as
shown in their respective installation instructions. They cannot discrimi-
nate between intruders and intended occupants. Motion detectors do not
provide volumetric area protection. They have multiple beams of detec-
tion and motion can only be detected in unobstructed areas covered by
these beams. They cannot detect motion which occurs behind walls, ceil-
ings, floor, closed doors, glass partitions, glass doors or windows. Any
type of tampering whether intentional or unintentional such as masking,
painting, or spraying of any material on the lenses, mirrors, windows or
any other part of the detection system will impair its proper operation.
Passive infrared motion detectors operate by sensing changes in tempera-
ture. However their effectiveness can be reduced when the ambient tem-
perature rises near or above body temperature or if there are intentional or
unintentional sources of heat in or near the detection area. Some of these
heat sources could be heaters, radiators, stoves, barbeques, fireplaces, sun-
light, steam vents, lighting and so on.
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■ Warning Devices
Warning devices such as sirens, bells, horns, or strobes may not warn people
or waken someone sleeping if there is an intervening wall or door. If warn-
ing devices are located on a different level of the residence or premise,
then it is less likely that the occupants will be alerted or awakened. Au-
dible warning devices may be interfered with by other noise sources such
as stereos, radios, televisions, air conditioners or other appliances, or pass-
ing traffic. Audible warning devices, however loud, may not be heard by a
hearing-impaired person.
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■ Telephone Lines
If telephone lines are used to transmit alarms, they may be out of service or busy
for certain periods of time. Also an intruder may cut the telephone line or defeat
its operation by more sophisticated means which may be difficult to detect.
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■ Insufficient Time
There may be circumstances when the system will operate as intended, yet
the occupants will not be protected from the emergency due to their inability
to respond to the warnings in a timely manner. If the system is monitored,
the response may not occur in time to protect the occupants or their belong-
ings.
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■ Component Failure
Although every effort has been made to make this system as reliable as possible,
the system may fail to function as intended due to the failure of a component.
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■ Inadequate Testing
Most problems that would prevent an alarm system from operating as in-
tended can be found by regular testing and maintenance. The complete
system should be tested weekly and immediately after a break-in, an at-
tempted break-in, a fire, a storm, an earthquake, an accident, or any kind of
construction activity inside or outside the premises. The testing should in-
clude all sensing devices, keypads, consoles, alarm indicating devices and
any other operational devices that are part of the system.
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■ Security and Insurance
Regardless of its capabilities, an alarm system is not a substitute for prop-
erty or life insurance. An alarm system also is not a substitute for prop-
erty owners, renters, or other occupants to act prudently to prevent or
minimize the harmful effects of an emergency situation.