Kidde 915 User manual

For your convenience, write down the following

information. If you call our Consumer Hotline,

these are the first questions you will be asked.

9 Volt Battery Operated Smoke Alarm

Thank you for purchasing this smoke alarm. It is an important

part of your family’s home safety plan. You can trust this prod-

uct to provide the highest quality safety protection. We know

you expect nothing less when the lives of your family are at

stake.

Smoke Alarm User’s Guide

Smoke Alarm Model Number

(located on back of alarm):

Date Code (located on back of alarm):

The National Fire Protection Association

(NFPA) and the manufacturer

recommend replacing this alarm

ten years from the date code.

Date of Purchase:

Where Purchased:

820-0897 REV. B

11/2006

0915 For model: 0915

This alarm detects products of combustion using the ionization

technique. It contains 0.9 microcurie of Americium 241, a radioac-

tive material (see Section 9). Distributed under U.S. NRC License

No. 32-23858-01E. Manufactured in compliance with U.S. NRC

safety criteria in 10 CFR 32.27. The purchaser is exempt from any

regulatory requirements. Do not try to repair the smoke alarm

yourself. Refer to the instructions in Section 12 for service.

WARNING! BATTERY DOOR WILL NOT CLOSE UNLESS BAT-

TERY IS PRESENT. REMOVAL OF BATTERY WILL RENDER THE

SMOKE ALARM INOPERATIVE.

IMPORTANT! READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE INSTALLA-

TION AND KEEP THIS MANUAL NEAR THE ALARM FOR

FUTURE REFERENCE.

CONTENTS OF THIS MANUAL

1 -- RECOMMENDED LOCATIONS FOR SMOKE ALARMS

2 -- LOCATIONS TO AVOID

3 -- INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS

4 -- OPERATION AND TESTING

5 -- NUISANCE ALARMS

6 -- MAINTENANCE

7 -- LIMITATIONS OF SMOKE ALARMS

8 -- GOOD SAFETY HABITS

9 -- NRC INFORMATION

10 -- NFPA PROTECTION STANDARD 72

11 --

CALIFORNIA STATE FIRE MARSHAL REQUIRED INFORMATION

12 -- SERVICE AND WARRANTY

1. RECOMMENDED LOCATIONS FOR ALARMS

•Locate the first alarm in the immediate area of the bedrooms.

Try to monitor the exit path as the bedrooms are usually far-

thest from the exit. If more than one sleeping area exists,

locate additional alarms in each sleeping area.

•Locate additional alarms to monitor any stairway as stairways

act like chimneys for smoke and heat.

•Locate at least one alarm on every floor level.

•Locate an alarm in every bedroom.

•Locate an alarm in every room where electrical appliances are

operated (i.e. portable heaters or humidifiers).

• Locate an alarm in every room where someone sleeps with the

door closed. The closed door may prevent an alarm not located

in that room from waking the sleeper.

• Smoke, heat, and combustion products rise to the ceiling and

spread horizontally. Mounting the smoke alarm on the ceiling in

the center of the room places it closest to all points in the room.

Ceiling mounting is preferred in ordinary residential construc-

tion.

• For mobile home installation, select locations carefully to avoid

thermal barriers that may form at the ceiling. For more details,

see MOBILE HOME INSTALLATION below.

• When mounting an alarm on the ceiling, locate it at a minimum

of 4” (10cm) from the side wall (see Figure 1).

• When mounting the alarm on the wall, use an inside wall with

the top edge of the alarm at a minimum of 4” (10cm) and a

maximum of 12” (30.5cm) below the ceiling. (see Figure 1).

FIGURE 2 FIGURE 3

FIGURE 1

• Put smoke alarms at both ends of a bedroom hallway or large

room if the hallway or room is more than 30 feet (9.1 m) long.

• Install Smoke Alarms on sloped, peaked or cathedral ceilings at

or within 3ft (0.9m)of the highest point (measured horizontally).

NFPA 72 states: “Smoke alarms in rooms with ceiling slopes

greater than 1 foot in 8 feet (.3m in 2.4m) horizontally shall be

located on the high side of the room.” NFPA 72 states: “A row

of alarms shall be spaced and located within 3 ft (0.9m) of the

peak of the ceiling measured horizontally” (see Figure 3).

MOBILE HOME INSTALLATION

Modern mobile homes have been designed and built to be energy

efficient. Install smoke alarms as recommended above (refer to

RECOMMENDED LOCATIONS and Figures 1 and 2).

In older mobile homes that are not well insulated compared to

present standards, extreme heat or cold can be transferred from

the outside to the inside through poorly insulated walls and roof.

This may create a thermal barrier which can prevent the smoke

from reaching an alarm mounted on the ceiling. In such units,

install the smoke alarm on an inside wall with the top edge of the

alarm at a minimum of 4” (10cm) and a maximum of 12”

(30.5cm) below the ceiling (see Figure 1).

If you are not sure about the insulation in your mobile home, or if

you notice that the outer walls and ceiling are either hot or cold,

install the alarm on an inside wall. For minimum protection, install

at least one alarm close to the bedrooms. For additional protec-

tion, see SINGLE FLOOR PLAN in Figure 2.

WARNING: TEST YOUR SMOKE ALARM OPERATION AFTER R.V.

OR MOBILE HOME VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN STORAGE, BEFORE

EACH TRIP AND AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK DURING USE.

2. LOCATIONS TO AVOID

• In the garage. Products of combustion are present when you

start your automobile.

•Less than 4” (10cm) from the peak of an “A” frame type ceil-

ing.

•In an area where the temperature may fall below 40ºF or rise

above 100ºF, such as garages and unfinished attics.

• In dusty areas. Dust particles may cause nuisance alarm or fail-

ure to alarm.

• In very humid areas. Moisture or steam can cause nuisance

alarms.

• In insect-infested areas.

• Smoke alarms should not be installed within 3 ft (.9m) of the

following: the door to a kitchen, the door to a bathroom con-

taining a tub or shower, forced air supply ducts used for heating

or cooling, ceiling or whole house ventilating fans, or other high

air flow areas.

• Kitchens. Normal cooking may cause nuisance alarms. If a

kitchen alarm is desired, it should have an alarm silence feature

or be a photoelectric type.

• Near fluorescent lights. Electronic “noise” may cause nuisance

alarms.

• Smoke alarms are not to be used with detector guards unless

the combination (alarm and guard) has been evaluated and

found suitable for that purpose.

3. INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS

CAUTION: THIS UNIT IS SEALED. THE COVER IS NOT

REMOVABLE!

FIGURE 6

When wall

mounting, the

“A” line should

be horizontal

and the “UP FOR

WALL MOUNT-

ING” arrow must

be pointing up.

Alignment

Marks

Install Remove

FIGURE 5

FIGURE 4

FIGURE 7

When

mounting in

a hallway,

the “A” line

should be

parallel with

the hallway.

1.Remove the mounting plate from the back of the alarm by hold-

ing the mounting plate and twisting the alarm in the direction

indicated by the “OFF” arrow on the alarm cover.

2.To insure aesthetic alignment of the alarm with the hallway or

wall, the “A” line on the mounting plate should be parallel with

the hallway when ceiling mounting or horizontal when wall

mounting.

3.After selecting the proper smoke alarm location as described in

Section 1, attach the mounting plate to the ceiling as shown in

Figure 4. For wall mounting see Figure 5. Place mounting plate

on the wall. Be sure the “UP FOR WALL MOUNTING “ text and

arrow are facing up. Use the screws and anchors provided to

secure the mounting plate (use 3/16” drill bit for anchor holes).

4.Battery installation instructions are provided on the inside of the

battery door. To ensure proper installation of the smoke alarm

battery, follow the instructions.

5.When installing the battery, press the battery reminder finger

down into the battery compartment and install the battery (see

Figure 6).

CAUTION! IF THE BATTERY REMINDER FINGER IS NOT HELD

DOWN IN THE BATTERY COMPARTMENT BY THE BATTERY,

THE BATTERY DOOR WILL NOT CLOSE AND THE UNIT WILL

NOT ATTACH TO THE MOUNTING BRACKET.

6.Alignment marks are provided on the edge of the trim plate and

the alarm. After installing the mounting plate, place the alarm

on the mounting plate with the alignment marks lined up. Twist

the alarm in the direction indicated by the “ON” arrow on the

alarm cover (see Figure 7) until it locks in place.

7.USING TAMPER RESIST LOCKING

PIN: To make your smoke alarm

tamper resistant, a locking pin has

been provided in the bag with the

screws and anchors. Using this pin

will help deter children and others

from removing the alarm from the

mounting plate. To use the pin,

insert it into the hole in the side of

the alarm after the alarm has been installed on the mounting

plate (see Figure 8).

Tamper Resist

Locking Pin

FIGURE 8

NOTE: THE TAMPER RESIST PIN WILL HAVE TO BE REMOVED

IN ORDER TO CHANGE THE BATTERIES. USE LONG NOSE PLI-

ERS TO PULL THE PIN OUT OF THE HOLE. IT IS NOW POSSI-

BLE TO REMOVE THE ALARM FROM THE MOUNTING PLATE.

8. After installation, test your alarm by depressing and holding

down the test button for at least 5 seconds. This should sound

the alarm.

4. OPERATION AND TESTING

OPERATION: The smoke alarm is operating once a fresh battery is

installed and testing is complete. When products of combustion

are sensed, the unit sounds a loud 85db pulsating alarm until the

air is cleared.

FLASHING LED LIGHT: This smoke alarm is equipped with a flash-

ing red indicator light. The light is located under the test button

and will flash every 30 - 40 seconds to indicate that the smoke

alarm is receiving power.

TESTING: Test by pushing the test button on the cover and holding

it down for a minimum of 5 seconds. This will sound the alarm if

the electronic circuitry, horn, and battery are working. If no alarm

sounds, the unit has defective batteries or other failure. DO NOT

use an open flame to test your alarm, you could damage the

alarm or ignite combustible materials and start a structure fire.

TEST THE ALARM WEEKLY TO ENSURE PROPER OPERATION. Erratic

or low sound coming from your alarm may indicate a defective

alarm, and it should be returned for service (see Section 12).

NOTE: WEEKLY TESTING IS REQUIRED.

5. NUISANCE ALARMS

Smoke alarms are designed to minimize nuisance alarms.

Cigarette smoke will not normally set off the alarm, unless the

smoke is blown directly into the alarm. Combustion particles from

cooking may set off the alarm if the alarm is located close to the

cooking area. Large quantities of combustible particles are gener-

ated from spills or when broiling. Using the fan on a range hood

which vents to the outside (non-recirculating type) will also help

remove these combustible products from the kitchen.

If the alarm does sound, check for fires first. If a fire is discovered,

get out and call the fire department. If no fire is present, check to

see if one of the reasons listed in Section 2 may have caused the

alarm.

6. MAINTENANCE

BATTERY REPLACEMENT

If tamper resist pin has been used, refer to TAMPER RESIST LOCK-

ING PIN in Section 3 for removal instructions.

To replace the battery, remove the alarm from the mounting plate

by rotating the alarm in the direction of the “OFF” arrow on the

cover (see Figure 7).

The Model 0916 Smoke Alarm is powered by a 9V carbon zinc

battery (alkaline and lithium batteries may also be used). A fresh

battery should last for one year under normal operating condi-

tions. This alarm has a low battery monitor circuit which will

cause the alarm to “chirp” approximately every 30 - 40 seconds

for a minimum of seven (7) days when the battery gets low.

Replace the battery when this condition occurs.

USE ONLY THE FOLLOWING 9 VOLT BATTERIES FOR SMOKE

ALARM BATTERY REPLACEMENT.

Carbon-zinc type EVEREADY 216 OR 1222; GOLD PEAK 1604P

OR 1604S

Alkaline type ENERGIZER 522; DURACELL MN1604,

MX1604; GOLD PEAK 1604A; PANASONIC

6AM6, 6AM-6, 6AM-6PI, 6AM6X, AND 6LR61

(GA)

Lithium type ULTRALIFE U9VL-J

NOTE: WEEKLY TESTING IS REQUIRED.

WARNING!! USE ONLY THE BATTERIES SPECIFIED. USE OF

DIFFERENT BATTERIES MAY HAVE A DETRIMENTAL EFFECT

ON THE SMOKE ALARM.

CLEANING YOUR ALARM

YOUR ALARM SHOULD BE CLEANED AT LEAST ONCE A YEAR

To clean your alarm, remove it from the mounting bracket as out-

lined in the beginning of this section. You can clean the interior

of your alarm (sensing chamber) by using compressed air or a vac-

uum cleaner hose and blowing or vacuuming through the open-

ings around the perimeter of the alarm. The outside of the alarm

can be wiped with a damp cloth. After cleaning, reinstall your

alarm and test your alarm by using the test button. If cleaning

does not restore the alarm to normal operation the alarm should

be replaced.

7. LIMITATIONS OF SMOKE ALARMS

WARNING: PLEASE READ CAREFULLY AND THOROUGHLY

• NFPA 72 states: Life safety from fire in residential occupancies is

based primarily on early notification to occupants of the need to

escape, followed by the appropriate egress actions by those

occupants. Fire warning systems for dwelling units are capable

of protecting about half of the occupants in potentially fatal

fires. Victims are often intimate with the fire, too old or young,

or physically or mentally impaired such that they cannot escape

even when warned early enough that escape should be possible.

For these people, other strategies such as protection-in-place or

assisted escape or rescue are necessary.

• Smoke alarms are devices that can provide early warning of pos-

sible fires at a reasonable cost; however, alarms have sensing

limitations. Ionization sensing alarms may detect invisible fire

particles (associated with fast flaming fires) sooner than photo-

electric alarms. Photoelectric sensing alarms may detect visible

fire particles (associated with slow smoldering fires) sooner than

ionization alarms. Home fires develop in different ways and are

often unpredictable. For maximum protection, Kidde recom-

mends that both Ionization and Photoelectric alarms be

installed.

• Abattery poweredalarmmusthaveabatteryofthespecifiedtype,

ingood conditionand installedproperly.

• A.C. powered alarms (without battery backup) will not operate

if the A.C. power has been cut off, such as by an electrical fire

or an open fuse.

• Smoke alarms must be tested regularly to make sure the batter-

ies and the alarm circuits are in good operating condition.

• Smoke alarms cannot provide an alarm if smoke does not reach

the alarm. Therefore, smoke alarms may not sense fires starting

in chimneys, walls, on roofs, on the other side of a closed door

or on a different floor.

• If the alarm is located outside the bedroom or on a different

floor, it may not wake up a sound sleeper.

• The use of alcohol or drugs may also impair one’s ability to hear

the smoke alarm. For maximum protection, a smoke alarm

should be installed in each sleeping area on every level of a

home.

• Although smoke alarms can help save lives by providing an early

warning of a fire, they are not a substitute for an insurance poli-

cy. Home owners and renters should have adequate insurance to

protect their lives and property.

8. GOOD SAFETY HABITS

DEVELOP AND PRACTICE A PLAN OF ESCAPE

• Make a floor plan indicating all doors and windows and at least

two (2) escape routes from each room. Second story windows

may need a rope or chain ladder.

• Have a family meeting and discuss your escape plan, showing

everyone what to do in case of fire.

•Determine a place outside your home where you all can meet if a

fire occurs.

• Familiarize everyone with the sound of the smoke alarm and train

them to leave your home when they hear it.

•Practice a fire drill at least every six months, including fire drills at

night. Ensure that small children hear the alarm and wake when

it sounds. They must wake up in order to execute the escape

plan. Practice allows all occupants to test your plan before an

emergency. You may not be able to reach your children. It is

important they know what to do.

•Install and maintain fire extinguishers on every level of the home

and in the kitchen, basement and garage. Know how to use a

fire extinguisher prior to an emergency.

• Current studies have shown smoke alarms may not awaken all

sleeping individuals, and that it is the responsibility of individuals

in the household that are capable of assisting others to provide

assistance to those who may not be awakened by the alarm

sound, or to those who may be incapable of safely evacuating

the area unassisted.

WHAT TO DO WHEN THE ALARM SOUNDS

• Alert small children in the home.

•Leave immediately by your escape plan. Every second counts, so

don’t waste time getting dressed or picking up valuables.

• In leaving, don’t open any inside door without first feeling its sur-

face. If hot, or if you see smoke seeping through cracks, don’t

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