4 -3- -2- -1-
Smoke Alarm
GS525A User Manual
Thank you for purchasing our smoke alarm. Please take a few minutes to read the
user’s manual thoroughly and save the document for future reference and to pass
on to any subsequent owner.
Teach children how to respond to the alarm, and they should never play with the
unit . This alarm was designed for residential environment. It is not designed for
us in a recreational vehicle(RV) or boat .
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the manufacturer
recommend replacing this alarm ten years from the date code on back of alarm.
Diagram 1
Product Specifications
•POWER: built-in DC3V(CR-2/3AZ) Lithium battery (battery not replaceable)
•OPERATION CURRENT: <10uA (standby), <80mA (alarm)
•ALARM VOLUME: >85 dB (A) at 10’(3.05m).
•ALARM SENSITIVITY: 1.59-2.80%/ft.
•SILENCE Period: approx. 8 minutes.
•SMOKE ALARM SOUND PATTERN: Temporal 3 BI 0.5s - pause 0.5s – BI 0.5s –
pause 0.5s – BI 0.5s – pause 1.5s, with the red LED flash,
repeat this alarm pattern.
•COMPLY WITH: UL217-8th &CAN/ ULC-S531
Description
This unit is a photoelectric smoke alarm. Meets the testing requirements of
UL217-8
th
.The photoelectric technology, it is more sensitive in detecting slow
smoldering fires which generate light smoke, little heat and may smolder for
hours before bursting into flames. This smoke alarm does not contain any
radioactive material. Smoke alarms should be installed in every room (except
the
bathroom and kitchen), finished attics and basements, making sure the people in
the home will be able to hear and respond to the a larm sound. For minimum
protection, you should install an alarm on every level of the home particularly
outside sleeping rooms. Each alarm should be placed in the middle of the
ceiling of each room to be protected. Typical single story dwelling installation
recommendations: Install a smoke alarm on the
ceiling or wall inside each
bedroom and in the hallway outside each separate sleeping area. If a bedroom
area hallway is more than 30 feet long, install a smoke alarm at each end. If there
is a basement: install a smoke alarm on the basement ceiling at the bottom of the
stairwell. Typical multi-story dwelling installation recommendations: Install a
minimum of one smoke alarm on each occupiable level of the home. Install a
smoke
alarm on the ceiling or wall inside each bedroom and in the hallway
outside each separate sleeping area. If a bedroom area hallway is more than 30
feet long, install a smoke alarm at each end install a smoke alarm at the top of a
first – to- second floor stairwell.
Important Safety Information:
1.The test button accurately tests smoke alarm functions. Do not use any other
test method. Test smoke alarm weekly to ensure proper operation.
2.If yo
u're sure it isn't a really alarm, open windows or fan the air around smoke
alarm to test and silence it.
3.User to install this product in compliance with all local and national electrical
installation and building codes.
4.This smoke alarm is designed to be used inside a single family home only. In
multifamily buildings, each individual living unit should have its own smoke
alarms. Do not install in non-residential buildings as this smoke alarm
is not a
substitute for a complete alarm system.
5.Install a smoke alarm in every room and on every level of the home. Smoke may
not reach the smoke alarm for many reasons. For example, if a fire starts in a
remote part of the home, on another level, in a chimney, wall, roof, or on the
other side of a closed door, smoke may not reach the smoke alarm in time to alert
household members. A smoke alarm will not promptly detect a fire except in
the
area or room in which it is installed.
6.Smoke alarm may not alert every household member every time. The alarm
horn is loud in order to alert individuals to a potential danger. However, there
may be some circumstances where a household member may not hear the alarm
(i.e. outdoor or indoor noise, sound sleepers, drug or alcohol usage, the hard of
hearing, etc.). If you suspect that this smoke alarm may not alert a household
member,
install and maintain specialty smoke alarms. Household member must
hear the alarm’s warning sound and quickly respond to it to reduce the risk of
injury, or death that may result from fire, if a household member is hard of
hearing, install special smoke alarms with lights or vibrating devices to alert
occupants.
7.Smoke alarms can only sound their alarms when they detect smoke or detect
combustion particles in the air. They do not sense he
at, flame, or gas. This smoke
alarm is designed to give audible warning of a developing fire. However, many
fires are fast - burning, explosive, or intentional, and others are caused by
carelessness or safety hazards. In such circumstances, smoke may not reach the
alarm QUICKLY ENOUGH to ensure safe escape. Therefore the installation of
smoke alarms is not a substitute for practicing fire safety in the home.
8.Smoke alarms have limitations. This smoke alarm is not
foolproof and is not
warranted to protect lives or property from fire. Smoke alarms are not a
substitute for insurance. Homeowners and renters should have adequate insure
to protect their lives and property. In addition, it is possible for the smoke alarm
to fail at any time. For this reason, you must test the smoke alarm weekly and
replace them every 10 years.
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 ceiling.
•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 failure to alarm. In
very humid areas (greater than 85% R.H.). Moisture or steam can cause nuisance
alarms.
•In insect-infested areas.
•Smoke alarms should not
be installed within 3 ft (0.9m) of the following: the door
to a kitchen, the door to a bathroom containing 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 “nois
e” 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.
Operation:
Testing
Test the unit weekly to ensure proper operation by pressing the test button. The
alarm will sound if the electronic circuitry, horn, and battery are working properly.
If no alarm sounds, the battery may be depleted or another problem, refer to
“Troub
le shooting” section for a solution.
CAUTION: DO NOT use an open flame to test your alarm, you could damage the
alarm or ignite combustible materials and start a structure fire.
NOTE: WEEKLY TESTING IS REQUIRED LED indicators
This smoke alarm is equipped with red LED indicators.
Standby Condition: The red LED will flash every 48 seconds to indicate that the
smoke alarm is operating properly.
Alarm Condition: When the alarm senses products of combustion and goes into
alar
m, the red LED will flash rapidly (one flash per second).The rapid flashing LED
and pulsating alarm will continue until the air is cleared or the test button is
released.
Silence Condition: The red LED will flash every 8 seconds as long as the alarm is
in Hush mode.
Low battery trouble indication: An intermittent “chirp” accompanied by a red
LED flash every 48 seconds indicates a low battery, you may press the test button
to silence the trouble indication for 10 hours, but it
will reset automatically after
10 hours. During this condition the unit will continue to operate normally and
detect smoke and sound an alarm. This action only temporarily silences the chirp.
NOTE: As the battery in this unit is not replaceable, a low battery signal is an
indication of end of life. Therefore the alarm MUST be replaced as soon as
possible!
Fault indication: This chirp will occur between the flashes of the red LED indicator
light.
Battery discharge Condition: The red LED will always light.
NOTE: When the unit chirps once every 48 seconds, pressing the test button
temporarily silences this warning tone for 10 hours，refer to “Trouble shooting”
section for solutions, if the fault signal reactivates, you MUST replace the unit
with a new alarm at once or contact you retailer during warranty.
SMOKE SENSING CHAMBER OPERATION: This alarm will “chirp” if any of the
components in the smoke sensing chamber fail. This chirp will occur between the
flashes of
the red LED indicator light. (If the chirp occurs at the same time as the
red LED flash, indicating a low battery information).
Alarm silence
When the alarm sounds check for a fire first, after verifying that it is not a fire the
alarm can be silenced by pushing the test button. This will silence the alarm for
approximately 8 minutes. The red LED will flash once every 8 seconds indicating
the smoke alarm is in the silence mode. Smoke ala
rms are designed to minimize
nuisance alarms, but combustion particles from cooking may set off the alarm if
the alarm is located close to the cooking area. To minimize the occurrence of false
alarms, smoke alarms must be installed a minimum of 10 feet(3 meters) from the
nearest cooking appliance. If you accidentally let some smoke into the alarm
causing an alarm, you can open the doors and windows. Use a fan to clear the
smoke. The alarm will s
ilence (test button) is extremely useful in a kitchen area
or other areas prone to nuisance alarms. The silence feature is to be used only
when a known alarm condition, such as smoke from cooking activates the alarm.
The smoke alarm is desensitized by pushing the alarm silence (silence mode) on
the smoke alarm cover, the alarm will silence to indicate that the alarm is in
a temporarily desensitized condition. The smoke alarm will automatically res
et
after approximately 8 minutes, if after this period, particles of combustion are
still present, the alarm will sound again. The alarm silencer (silence mode) can be
repeatedly used until the air has been cleared of the condition causing the alarm.
NOTE: Dense smoke will override the alarm silencer and sound a continuous
alarm.
CAUTION: Before using the alarm silence (silence), identify the source of the
smoke and be certain a safe condition
exists.
DANGER: If the alarm sounds, and it is not being tested, it means the unit is
sensing smoke, THE SOUND OF THE ALARM REQUIRES YOUR IMMEDIATE
ATTENTION AND ACTION.
Low Battery status:
An intermittent "chirp" accompanied by a flashing red LED once every 48 seconds
indicates that the battery has reached a low voltage discharge state. As this is a
non-replaceable battery, you need to replace smoke alarm with a new alarm
within 7 days, to
avoid interruption of protection. The audible chirp can be
temporarily silenced to avoid night time sleeping, by pressing the test button.
This action temporarily silences this warning tone for 10 hours, the chirp will
again prompt you to replace the alarm after 10 hours.
Maintenance and Cleaning
In addition to weekly testing, the alarm requires periodic cleaning to remove dust,
dirt, and debris. Clean the alarm at least once a year to remove dust, dirt,
or
debris. Use a vacuum cleaner with a soft brush, vacuum all sides and covers of
smoke alarm. This alarm has a low battery monitor which will cause the alarm to
“chirp” approximately every 48 seconds and the red LED flash once at the same
time for a minimum of thirty days when the battery gets low. If there is a defective
battery or other failures, you can refer to “Trouble shooting” for a solution, if there
are still failures during warranty,
you can return to your retailer.
WARNING: The battery is sealed and is not replaceable. Please replace with new
alarm if the low battery chirp occurs.
IMPORTANT: Do not attempt to remove the cover to clean inside. This will void
the warranty.
WHAT TO DO WHEN THE ALARM SOUNDS
1. Alert small children in the home
As well as anyone else that might have difficulty leaving the area without help.
2. Leave immediately by your escape plan. Every second counts,
so don’t waste
time getting dressed or picking up valuables.
3. While In leaving, don’t open any inside door without first feeling its surface. If
hot, or if you see smoke seeping through cracks, don’t open that door! Instead,
use your alternate exit. If the inside of the door is cool, place your shoulder
against it, open it slightly and be ready to slam it shut if heat and smoke rush in.
4. Stay close to the floor if the air is smok
y. Breathe shallowly through a cloth, wet
if possible.
5. Once outside, go to your selected meeting place and make sure everyone is
there.
6. Call the fire department from your neighbor’s home -not from yours!
7. Don’t return to your home until the fire officials say that it is all right to do so.
There are situations where a smoke alarm may not be effective to protect against
fire as stated in the NFPA Standard 72.
8. For instance:
a) Smoking in bed
b) Leavin
g children home alone
c) Cleaning with flammable liquids, such as gasoline
Note: These guidelines will assist you in the event of a fire, however, to reduce
the chance that fires will start, practice fire safety rules and prevent hazardous
situations.
Repair:
Caution: Do not attempt to repair the alarm. This will void your warranty. If the
alarm is not operating properly, and is still under warranty, return it to the original
place of purchas
e. Pack it in a well-padded carton, and ship to the original place
of purchase. If the alarm is no longer under warranty, have a licensed electrician
replace it immediately with a comparable alarm.
Trouble shooting:
Trouble condition Action
Smoke alarm does not sound
when tested.
1. Activate alarm before installation.
2. Clean smoke alarm. Please refer to the
“maintenance and cleaning” section.
3. If problems persist and the unit is still
under warranty, you can return to your
retailer.
4. if the unit is out of warranty
，
please
replace another new alarm.
An intermittent “chirp”
accompanied by a red LED
flash every 48 seconds.
The battery is depleted, please replace the
smoke alarm.
Smoke alarm chirp occurs
every 48 seconds only
（
alarm goes into fault mode
）.
.
Clean smoke alarm. Please refer to the
“maintenance and cleaning”section.
Replace smoke alarm if the problem
persists
Smoke alarm sounds
unwanted alarms
intermittently or when
residents are cooking, taking
showers, etc.
1. Press test button to silence alarm.
2. Clean smoke alarm. Please refer to the
“maintenance and cleaning” section.
3. Move smoke alarm to new location and
press test button.
CAUTION: Due to the loudness (85 decibels) of the alarm, always stand an
arms-length away from the unit when testing. Test the alarm weekly to ensure
proper operation. Erratic or low sound coming from your alarm may indicate a
defective alarm. Refer to "Trouble shooting" section for a solution.
Ref: 358-8405 Rev E
8 -7- -6- -5-
The alarm sounds different
from it is used to. It starts
and stops.
1. Clean smoke alarm. Please refer to the
“maintenance and cleaning” section.
2. if the problem persists during warranty,
you can return to your retailer.
3. if the unit is out of warranty，please
replace another new alarm.
DEVELOP AND PRACTICE A PLAN OF ESCAPE
• 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.
• 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
d
o 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.
• 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.
RECOMMENDED LOCATIONS FOR ALARMS
This equipment should be installed in accordance with the National Fire
Protection Association’s 72 (National Fire Protection Association, Batterymarch
Park, Quincy, MA 02269).
• Locate the first alarm in the immediate area of the bedrooms. Try to monitor
the exit path as the bedrooms are usually farthest from the exit. If more than one
sleeping area exists, locate additional alarms in each sleeping area.
• Locate addi
tional alarms to monitor any stairway as stairways act like chimneys
for smoke and heat.
• 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 (Refer to Diagram 2).
• 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 (Refer to Diagram2).
• Put smoke alarms at both ends of a bedroom hallway or large room if the
hallway or room is more than 30 ft (9.1 m) long.
• Install Smoke Alarms on sloped, peaked or cathedral ceilings at or within 3 ft
(0.9m) of the highest point (measured horizontally). NFPA 72 states: “Smoke
alarms in rooms with ceiling slopes greater than 1 ft
in 8 ft (.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” (Refer to Diagram 3).
5. In the living area(s) of a guest suite
6. In the living area(s) of a residential board and care occupancy (small facility)
Diagram 2 Diagram 3
MOBILE HOME INSTALLATION
Modern mobile homes have been designed and built to be energy efficient. Install
smoke alarms as recommended above (Refer to RECO
MMENDED LOCATIONS and
Diagram 2 and 3).
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
minimu
m of 4" (10cm) and a maximum
of 12" (30.5cm) below the ceiling
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 protection, see SINGLE
FLOOR PLAN in Diagram 4 and MULTIPLE
FLOOR PLAN in Diagram 5.
WARNING: TEST YOUR SMOKE
ALARM
OPERATION AFTER RV OR MOBILE
HOME VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN STORAGE,
BEFORE EACH TRIP AND AT LEAST ONCE
A WEEK DURING USE.
ATTENTION: ESTEZ VOTRE DÉTECTEUR
DE FUMÉE APRÈS QUE VOUS RETIREZ
VOTRE CARAVANE OU MOBILE HOME
D’UN ENDROIT DE STOCKAGE, AVANT
CHAQUE VOYAGE ET AU MOINS UNE
FOIS PAR SEMAINE PENDANT
UTILISATION.
Installation:
CAUTION: this unit must be activated prior to
installation. Failure to properly install and
activate this alarm will prevent proper
operation of t
his alarm and will prevent its
response to fire hazards.
• Turn the alarm body counterclockwise and take off the bracket.
• Hold the bracket in the installation position as specified in the recommended
locations, mark installation holes of the bracket with pencil.
• Drill the two marked installation holes with a 3/16 inch
(5mm) drill bit. Tap the two plastic grommets into holes with hammer.
• Remove locking plug from the bracket with screwdr
iver if necessary (Refer to
Diagram 8). This is an optional additional locking in place feature.
• Mount the bracket to the ceiling by inserting and tightening the supplied screws
into plastic grommets. (Refer to Diagram 7).
• Fit the alarm on the bracket and turn the alarm body clockwise, until fully
inserted on the bracket.
Optionally insert locking plug into the gap between bracket and bottom cover for
locking alarm in place (Refer to Diagram 9).
• Pr
ess the button to test the unit. The alarm should then sounds 3 beeps – 1.5
seconds pause, and will repeat until the button is released, if no sound, it
indicates a defective alarm, refer to the ”Trouble shooting” section for a solution
or return to your retailer during warranty.
WARNING:
To prevent injury, this unit must be securely attached to the wall or ceiling in
accordance with the installation instructions.
Diagram 8 Diagram 9
Scrap and disposal:
When the battery is at end of life, an intermittent “chirp” with red LED flashes
once every 48 seconds, indicates that the smoke alarm device is low battery.
Please scrap it according to below following the steps and immediately buy
another new alarm to replace it.
• Counterclockwise remove the pro
duct from bracket.
Take out the screws with a slotted screwdriver and remove smoke alarm from the
bracket.
• Insert a slotted screwdriver into red plastic part on the base cover (Refer to
Diagram 10).
• Rotate a screwdriver from the ON position to the OFF position counterclockwise.
• At this time, a red LED light up and indicating that the battery is discharging.
• Wait for at least One day , allow that the battery inside the product is full
y
exhausted. You can scrap and dispose it according to the local law.
Note:
1. When a red LED is off, it does not mean that the battery is fully exhausted,
rather, it is necessary to also allow the battery to fully discharge for at least seven
days.
2. Use this method to scrap the alarm if it is the end of life during out of
warranty.
3. Please return to retailer and exchange another alarm during the Warranty
period.
4. Cannot install the
smoke alarm again once the battery is discharged.
California State Fire Marshal
Early warning fire detection is best achieved by the installation of fire detection
equipment in all rooms and areas of the household as follows: A smoke alarm
installed in each separate sleeping area (In the vicinity, but outside the bedrooms),
heat or smoke detectors in the living rooms, dining rooms, bedrooms, kitchens,
hall-ways, attics, furnace rooms, closets, utility and st
orage rooms, basements
and attached garages.
Diagram 4
Diagram 5
Diagram 6
Battery pull tab
Diagram 7
Diagram 10
Activation: Pull out the battery tab to activate
your smoke alarm. (Refer to Diagram 6).
(Refer to Diagram 2).
For your information, the National Fire Protection Association's Standard 72
reads: Where required by other governing laws, codes, or standards for a
specific type of occupancy, approved single and multiple-station smoke alarms
shall be installed as follows:
1.In all sleeping rooms and guest rooms
2.Outside of each separate dwelling unit sleeping area, within 21 ft (6.4 m) of
any door to a sleeping room, with the distance measured along a path of travel
3.On every level of a dwelling unit, including basements
4.On every level of a residential board and care occupancy (small facility),
including basements and excluding crawl spaces and unfinished attics
10-YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY:
If this PERFORMAX
TM
product fails to perform to your satisfaction under
normal use within the 10-year limited warranty period, return the product
to a Menards® retail store for a replacement of the same or similar
PERFORMAX
TM
product.
Manufactured by:
SITERWELL ELECTRONICS CO.,LIMITED
No.666 Qingfeng Road, Jiangbei District, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China.
Distributed by:
Menard, Inc.
Eau Claire, WI 54703 U.S.A.
Visit MENARDS.COM
