BEFORE YOU INSTALL THIS STROBE LIGHT
USER’S MANUAL
IMPORTANT! Read “Recommended Placement for Hearing Impaired
Strobe Lights”.
This Strobe Light is intended to be interconnected with functioning
smoke, heat or carbon monoxide alarms. It has no means of detection
on it own. It will not operate without AC power. Its operation is specifi-
cally designed to wake hearing impaired persons as specified by NFPA
72, Underwriters Laboratories (UL 1971), Americans with Disabilities
Act (ADA) and ANSI 117.1.
AC POWERED STROBE LIGHT
FOR THE HEARING IMPAIRED
Input: 120V AC ~, 60Hz
Strobe: 177 candela minimum
This Strobe Light can ONLY give an early warning of a potentially
dangerous fire or CO incident if it is installed, maintained and located
where hearing impaired residents can see it, as described in this manual.
This unit will not sense smoke, carbon monoxide, gas, heat or flame.
It cannot prevent or extinguish fires.
UL STANDARD 1971
Check Your Local Building Codes
This Strobe Light is designed to be used in typical residential single-
family or multi-family dwellings and institutional applications including
sleeping areas of hospitals, hotels, motels, nursing homes, long term
health care facilities, day care facilities, dormitories or other similar
dwellings. See “Special Compliance Considerations” for details.
Model SL177
M08-0188-000 J1 05/07 Printed in Mexico
ELECTRICAL SHOCK HAZARD. Turn off power to the area where
you will install this Strobe Light at the circuit breaker or fuse box
before beginning installation. Failure to turn off the power before
installation may result in serious electrical shock, injury or death.
IMPORTANT! PLEASE READ CAREFULLY AND SAVE.
This user’s manual contains important information about your Strobe
Light’s operation. If you are installing this Strobe Light for use by others,
you must leave this manual—or a copy of it—with the end user.
•
Installation of this Strobe Light must conform to the
electrical codes in your area; Articles 210, 760 of NFPA 70
(NEC), NFPA 72, NFPA 101; SBC (SBCCI); UBC (ICBO);
NBC (BOCA); OTFDC (CABO), and any other local or
building codes that may apply. Wiring and installation must
be performed by a licensed electrician. Failure to follow
these guidelines may result in injury or property damage.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
Before You Install This Strobe Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
•
•
This Strobe Light must be powered by a 24-hour, 120VAC
60Hz circuit. Be sure the circuit cannot be turned off by a
switch, dimmer, or ground fault circuit interrupter. Failure to
connect this Strobe Light to a 24-hour circuit may prevent it
from providing constant protection.
Recommended Placement
For Hearing Impaired Strobe Lights . . . . . . . . . . .1-2
Weekly Testing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
How To Install This Strobe Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-3
Regular Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
If This Strobe Light Activates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
If an Interconnected CO Alarm Sounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
If an Interconnected Smoke Alarm Sounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
If You Suspect A Problem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Special Compliance Considerations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Limitations of Strobes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Limited Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
It is possible an electrical fire could occur on the circuit
powering this Strobe Light. If this happened, power to the
unit could be cut off and it may fail to activate. Some safety
experts recommend wiring warning devices like this unit on
separate circuits from other appliances, since these circuits
are not as likely to be overloaded. Other safety experts
recommend wiring these units on the same circuits as
appliances so it is more readily apparent if the circuit fails.
•
Never disconnect the power from an AC powered Alarm 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 inter-
connected units . The interconnected alarm will reset auto-
matically when it returns to normal operation. Never remove
the batteries from a battery operated Alarm to stop an
unwanted alarm (caused by cooking smoke, etc.). Instead
open a window or fan the smoke away. The Alarm will reset
automatically.
© 2007 BRK Brands, Inc., a Jarden Corporation company (NYSE: JAH)
3901 Liberty Street Road, Aurora, IL 60504-8122
All rights reserved.
Consumer Affairs: (800) 323-9005
INTRODUCTION
Thank you for choosing First Alert for your hearing impaired Strobe
Light needs. You have purchased a state of the art Strobe Light
designed to provide hearing impaired individuals with a visual warning
of a fire or a carbon monoxide danger when used with smoke, heat or
carbon monoxide alarms. Please take the time to read this manual and
make the Strobe Light an integral part of your family’s safety plan.
RECOMMENDED PLACEMENT FOR HEARING
IMPAIRED STROBE LIGHTS
According to NFPA 72, at a minimum a strobe should installed within
16 feet (4.9 meters) of the pillow.
For wall mounting, the strobe should be between 80 to 96 inches (203
to 244 cm) above the floor.
Key Features of the SL177 Strobe Light:
Smart Strobe: Separate flash patterns to distinguish smoke/heat or
CO danger. Can be interconnected with First Alert® and BRK® smoke,
CO, smoke/CO combo and heat alarms.
For ceiling mounting: Ideally, the strobe should be located near the
center of the room. See diagram.
177 Candela Xenon Light: Powerful 177 candela xenon strobe light
provides effective visual warning to awaken hearing impaired residents.
Smart Interconnect: One interconnect wire carries smoke and CO
alarm signals.
Meets ADA Requirements: Meets the requirements of the Americans
with Disabilities Act (ADA).
This device is not a smoke, heat or carbon monoxide alarm. It must
be interconnected with operating alarms to provide protection.
It will not work without AC power.
This strobe light must be interconnected with smoke, heat and/or
carbon monoxide alarms either within or nearby the sleeping
rooms to provide protection.
1
FOLLOW THESE INSTALLATION STEPS
The basic installation of this strobe light is similar whether you want
to install one strobe light or multiple strobe lights.
7. To test this strobe light you must activate the test button of each
interconnected, smoke, CO or heat alarm. This will send a signal
to the strobe light and cause the unit to begin flashing.
Depending on what type of alarms you have connected, the
strobe light will flash different patterns.
Smoke/Heat Alarms: Constant approximately 1 flash per second.
CO Alarms: Intermittent approximately 1 flash per second for four
flashes, then 5 seconds off. Pattern is repeated.
These different patterns are to help a hearing impaired person
better distinguish the danger present. The flash patterns approxi-
mate the audible alarm emitted by either a smoke/heat alarm or
carbon monoxide alarm.
This device is not a smoke, heat or CO alarm. It must be intercon-
nected with operating alarms to provide protection. It will not
work without AC power.
Things to consider when planning the installation of a hearing impaired
strobe light:
•
Location of strobe light is important and must comply with NFPA
72 requirements. This device is intended to awaken a hearing
impaired person and must be positioned properly for it to be
effective. See Installation Diagram and "Recommended Locations
for Hearing Impaired Strobe Lights" for details.
Do not look directly at or touch the lens while the strobe light is
flashing.
•
Types of other alarms to be interconnected with this strobe light.
This device can be interconnected with smoke, heat, carbon
monoxide alarms or a combination of all three. A smoke alarm is
usually placed within the sleeping room. A carbon monoxide or
heat alarm is usually placed outside the sleeping area. Follow
recommendations in each device's installation manual. The inter-
connect wire of all alarms must be properly connected for the
strobe light to be operational. The strobe light may be positioned
anywhere within the interconnected circuit.
If any Strobe Light does not flash, TURN OFF POWER and recheck
connections. If any Strobe Light still does not flash when you test it
after restoring power, replace it immediately.
This Strobe Light can be interconnected with all current model hardwired
®
®
and ONELINK® wireless enabled First Alert and BRK Electronics
branded Smoke Alarms, Carbon Monoxide Alarms, Combination
Smoke/CO Alarms, Heat Alarms and relays. Call First Alert Consumer
Affairs at 1-800-323-9005, 7:30 AM - 5:00 PM Central Standard Time,
Monday through Friday for specific model information.
ELECTRICAL SHOCK HAZARD! Turn off power before starting
installation!
1. Remove the mounting bracket from the base. Install the mounting
bracket to the junction box.
Interconnect units within a single family residence only, otherwise all
households will experience unwanted alarms when you test any unit
in the series. Interconnected units will only work if they are wired to
compatible units and all requirements are met.
2. Using wire nuts, connect the power connector to the household
wiring as follows:
Strip off about 1/2” (12 mm) of the plastic coating on the orange
wire on the power connector.
Interconnected units must meet ALL of the following
requirements:
• Connect the white wire on the power connector to the neutral
wire in the junction box.
•
•
•
A maximum of 18 units total may be interconnected
(Maximum of 12 Smoke Alarms).
• Connect the black wire on the power connector to the hot wire
in the junction box.
The same fuse or circuit breaker must power all interconnected
Alarms.
• Connect the orange wire on the power connector to the inter-
connect 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.
The total length of wire interconnecting the units should be
less than 1000 feet (305 meters). This type of wire is commonly
available at Hardware and Electrical Supply stores.
3. Plug the power connector into the back of the Strobe Light.
•
All wiring must conform to all local electrical codes and NFPA 70
(National Electrical Code). Refer to NFPA 72, NFPA 101, and/or
your local building code for further connection requirements.
4. Line up the alignment tab on the base with the alignment tab on
the mounting bracket. Turn the Strobe Light clockwise (right) until
you hear the unit snap into place.
5. Check all connections.
}
}
Improper wiring of the power connector or the wiring leading to
the power connector will cause damage to the Strobe Light and
may lead to a non-functioning unit.
• If you are installing multiple Strobe Lights, repeat steps 1-5
for each Strobe Light in the series. When you are finished,
restore power to the junction box.
ELECTRICAL SHOCK HAZARD! Do not restore power until
all devices are completely installed. Restoring power before
installation is complete may result in serious electrical shock,
injury or death.
A. Unswitched 120VAC
60 Hz source
B. To additional units (Smoke, CO and
Heat Alarm); Maximum = 18 total
(Maximum 12 Smoke Alarms)
6. Make sure the Strobe Light is receiving AC power. Under normal
operation, the green power indicator light will shine continuously.
If the power indicator light does not light, TURN OFF POWER TO
THE JUNCTION BOX and recheck all connections. If all connec-
tions are correct and the power indicator still does not light when
you restore the power, the unit should be replaced immediately.
1A. Strobe Light
1B. Smoke, CO or
Heat Alarm
3. Power Connector
4. Wire Nut
6. Neutral Wire (Wht)
7. Interconnect Wire
8. Hot Wire (Blk)
5. Junction Box
2. Ceiling or Wall
REGULAR MAINTENANCE
This unit has been designed to be as maintenance free as possible, but
there are a few simple things you must do to keep it working properly.
• If the Strobe Light is loose or broken, the entire unit should be
replaced immediately. Never remove the Strobe Light lens for
any reason. Doing so can permanently damage the unit and
will void your warranty.
• Test it at least once a week.
• Clean the Strobe Light at least once a month; gently vacuum off
any dust using your household vacuum’s soft brush attachment,
and test the Strobe Light after cleaning. Never use water, cleaners
or solvents since they may damage the unit.
• Do not paint over the unit. Paint may clog the openings and
prevent the unit from operating properly.
3
IF AN INTERCONNECTED SMOKE ALARM SOUNDS
RESPONDING TO AN ALARM
IF THIS STROBE LIGHT ACTIVATES
RESPONDING TO AN ALARM
During an alarm, depending on what type of alarms you have
connected, the strobe light will flash different patterns.
•
•
If an interconnected unit alarms and you are not testing the
unit, it is warning you of a potentially dangerous situation that
requires your immediate attention. NEVER ignore any alarm.
Ignoring the alarm may result in injury or death.
Smoke/Heat Alarms: Constant approximately 1 flash per second.
CO Alarms: Intermittent approximately 1 flash per second for four
flashes, then 5 seconds off. Pattern is repeated.
Never remove the batteries from a battery operated Smoke/CO
Alarm to stop an unwanted alarm (caused by cooking smoke,
etc.). Removing batteries disables the alarm so it cannot sense
smoke, and removes your protection. Instead open a window
or fan the smoke away from the unit. The alarm will reset auto-
matically.
These different patterns are to help a hearing impaired person
better distinguish the danger present. The flash patterns approxi-
mate the audible alarm emitted by either a smoke/heat alarm or
carbon monoxide alarm.
The appropriate smoke, CO or heat alarm will also be sounding
their repeating horn patterns:
Smoke or Heat Alarm you will hear 3 beeps, pause, 3 beeps, pause.
Carbon Monoxide danger you will hear 4 fast beeps, pause, 4 fast
beeps, pause.
•
If the unit alarms get everyone out of the house immediately.
WHAT TO DO IN CASE OF FIRE
• Don’t panic; stay calm. Follow your family escape plan.
• Get out of the house as quickly as possible. Don’t stop to get
dressed or collect anything.
IF AN INTERCONNECTED CO ALARM SOUNDS
• Feel doors with the back of your hand before opening them.
If a door is cool, open it slowly. Don’t open a hot door. Keep
doors and windows closed, unless you must escape through
them.
“ALARM-MOVE TO FRESH AIR”
If you hear an interconnected CO alarm horn and the CO red light
is flashing, move everyone to a source of fresh air.
DO NOT remove the batteries!
• Cover your nose and mouth with a cloth (preferably damp).
Take short, shallow breaths.
• Meet at your planned meeting place outside your home,
and do a head count to make sure everybody got out safely.
Actuation of an interconnected CO Alarm indicates the presence of
carbon monoxide (CO) which can kill you. In other words, when
your CO Alarm sounds, you must not ignore it!
• Call the Fire Department as soon as possible from outside.
Give your address, then your name.
IF AN INTERCONNECTED CO ALARM SIGNAL SOUNDS:
• Never go back inside a burning building for any reason.
1. Operate the Test/Silence button.
• Contact your Fire Department for ideas on making your home
safer.
2. Call your emergency services, fire department or 911. Write down
the number of your local emergency service here:
____________________________________________________________
IF YOU SUSPECT A PROBLEM
3. Immediately move to fresh air—outdoors or by an open door or
window. Do a head count to check that all persons are accounted
for. Do not re-enter the premises, or move away from the open door
or window until the emergency services responder has arrived, the
premises have been aired out, and your CO Alarm remains in its
normal condition.
If the strobe light lens is loose or broken, the entire unit should be
replaced immediately. Never remove the strobe light lens for any
reason. Doing so can permanently damage the unit and will void
your warranty.
4. After following steps 1-3, if your CO Alarm reactivates within a
24-hour period, repeat steps 1-3 and call a qualified appliance
technician to investigate for sources of CO from fuel-burning
equipment and appliances, and inspect for proper operation of this
equipment. If problems are identified during this inspection have the
equipment serviced immediately. Note any combustion equipment
not inspected by the technician, and consult the manufacturers’
instructions, or contact the manufacturers directly, for more infor-
mation about CO safety and this equipment. Make sure that motor
vehicles are not, and have not, been operating in an attached
garage or adjacent to the residence. Write down the number of a
qualified appliance technician here:
Always discharge the branch circuit before servicing an AC or
AC/DC Alarm. First, turn off the AC power at the circuit breaker
or fuse box. Next, remove the battery from Alarms with battery
back-up. Finally, press and hold the test button for 5-10 seconds
to discharge the branch circuit.
Do not try fixing the device yourself – this will void your warranty!
If the device is still not operating properly, and it is still under warranty,
please see “How to Obtain Warranty Service” in the Limited Warranty.
____________________________________________________________
NOTE: A qualified appliance technician is defined as “a person, firm,
corporation, or company that either in person or through a representative,
is engaged in and responsible for the installation, testing, servicing, or
replacement of heating, ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC) equipment,
combustion appliances and equipment, and/or gas fireplaces or other
decorative combustion equipment.”
4
SPECIAL COMPLIANCE CONSIDERATIONS
LIMITED WARRANTY
BRK Brands, Inc., ("BRK") the maker of BRK® brand and First Alert®
brand products, warrants that for a period of ten 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. If the product is no longer available, replacement
may be made with a similar product of equal or greater value. This is
your exclusive warranty.
Strobe Lights along with residential smoke and carbon monoxide
alarms alone are 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. They are not a suitable substitute for complete fire detection
systems in warehouses, industrial facilities, commercial buildings,
and special-purpose non-residential buildings which require special
fire detection and alarm systems, typically in only the sleeping
areas. Depending on the building codes in your area, these devices
may be used to provide additional protection in these facilities.
This warranty is valid for the original retail purchaser from the date of
initial retail purchase and is not transferable. Keep the original sales
receipt. Proof of purchase is required to obtain warranty performance.
BRK dealers, service centers, or retail stores selling BRK products do
not have the right to alter, modify or any way change the terms and
conditions of this warranty.
LIMITATIONS OF STROBES
This warranty does not cover normal wear of parts or damage resulting
from any of the following: negligent use or misuse of the product, use on
improper voltage or current, use contrary to the operating instructions,
disassembly, repair or alteration by anyone other than BRK or an
authorized service center. Further, the warranty does not cover Acts of
God, such as fire, flood, hurricanes and tornadoes or any batteries that
are included with this unit.
Strobes and alarms may not waken all individuals. Practice the
escape plan at least twice a year, making sure that everyone is involved
– from kids to grandparents. Allow children to master fire escape
planning and practice before holding a fire drill at night when they are
sleeping. If children or others do not readily waken to audible or visual
signals, or if there are infants or family members with mobility limitations,
make sure that someone is assigned to assist them in fire drill and in
the event of an emergency. It is recommended that you hold a fire drill
while family members are sleeping in order to determine their response
while sleeping and to determine whether they may need assistance in
the event of an emergency.
BRK shall not be liable for any incidental or consequential damages
caused by the breach of any express or implied warranty. Except to
the extent prohibited by applicable law, any implied warranty of
merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose is limited in duration
to the duration of the above warranty. Some states, provinces or
jurisdictions do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or
consequential damages or limitations on how long an implied warranty
lasts, so the above limitations or exclusion may not apply to you. This
warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other
rights that vary from state to state or province to province.
The strobe cannot work without AC power. The strobe will not
operate if AC power is cut off for any reason (open fuse or circuit
breaker, failure along a power line or at a power station, electrical
fire that burns the electrical wires, etc.).
The Strobe will not operate unless smoke, heat or CO reaches the
corresponding alarm. Refer to the user’s manuals supplied with the
interconnected smoke, heat or CO alarms.
How to Obtain Warranty Service
Service: If service is required, do not return the product to your retailer.
In order to obtain warranty service, contact the Consumer Affairs
Division at 1-800-323-9005, 7:30 AM - 5:00 PM Central Standard Time,
Monday through Friday. To assist us in serving you, please have the
model number and date of purchase available when calling.
Strobes may not be seen. Hearing impaired individuals may not see
the visual notification if obstructions such as doors, walls, or bright
lights block the strobe light. The use of alcohol or drugs may also
impair ones ability to respond to the visual signal.
Strobes are not foolproof. Like any electronic device, strobes are
made of components that can wear out or fail at any time. You must
test the unit weekly to ensure your continued protection. Strobes are
not a substitute for property or life insurance.
For Warranty Service return to:
BRK Brands, Inc.
25 Spur Drive, El Paso, TX 79906
Hearing deficits may not be not apparent. If in doubt, consult your
doctor.
Strobes have a limited life. The unit should be replaced immediately
if it is not operating properly. Replace the strobe 10 years from date of
installation.
BRK® is a registered trademark of BRK Brands, Inc.
First Alert® is a registered trademark of the First Alert Trust.
Printed in Mexico M08-0188-000 J1 05/07
5
|