BRK electronic UL539 User Manual

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MALFUNCTION
(Unit MUST be
replaced)
LED flashes GREEN 
rapidly three times, in
sync with three horn
“chirps”, once every
minute
Horn “chirps” three
times, in sync with
three LED flashes
ALARM CONDITION*
(Initiating Unit)
LED flashes GREEN,
the same pattern as
the horn
Audible alarm: 
3 beeps, pause, 
repeating horn pattern
AC POWER ON
(Normal operation)
LED shines GREEN 
continuously
Silent; no audible 
alarm
RESUME AC POWER
GREEN LED turns ON
Horn “chirps” one time
to signal resumption of
AC power
Condition
LED
Horn
DURING TESTING
LED flashes GREEN,
the same pattern as
the horn
Audible alarm: 
3 beeps, pause, 
repeating horn pattern
UNDERSTANDING THE INDICATOR LIGHTS 
AND ALARM HORN PATTERNS
*When any Heat Alarm in an interconnected series triggers an alarm, its green
LED will flash rapidly. The green LEDs will not flash on any remaining alarms in
the series. This feature helps responders identify which unit(s) triggered the alarm.
IF THIS HEAT ALARM SOUNDS
RESPONDING TO AN ALARM
During an alarm, you will hear a loud, repeating horn pattern: 
3 beeps, pause, 3 beeps, pause.
• If the 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. 
• Never disconnect the AC power to quiet an unwanted alarm.
Disconnecting the power disables the alarm so it cannot sense
heat. This will remove your protection. 
• If the unit alarms and you are not absolutely certain of the source
of the heat, get everyone out of the house immediately.
• ELECTRICAL SHOCK HAZARD: Attempting to disconnect the power
connector from the unit when the power is on may result in electrical
shock, serious injury or death. 
When an interconnected system of units is in alarm, the Green LED on the
unit(s) that initiated the alarm will flash in sync with the horn. The LED will not
flash on any remaining units.
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.
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.
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.
Call the Fire Department as soon as possible from outside. 
Give your address, then your name.
Never go back inside a burning building for any reason.
Contact your Fire Department for ideas on making your home safer.
RECOMMENDED LOCATIONS FOR HEAT ALARMS
In Single-Family Residences.
For minimum coverage, BRK Brands, Inc. recommends you install Heat 
Alarms in any area not suitable for smoke alarms such as garages, kitchens,
utility/laundry rooms, furnace rooms and crawl spaces. Install where tempera-
tures normally remain between –10º F and 100º F (–23º C and 38º C). 
For National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) information, see “Agency
Placement Recommendations for Heat Alarms and Smoke Alarms.”
RECOMMENDED PLACEMENT
Heat Alarms Recommended in New Home Construction
• The recommended location for a Heat Alarm is at the center of the
ceiling. At this location, the Heat Alarm is closest to all areas of the
room.
• If it is not practical to install the Heat Alarm in the center of the room,
use an off-center location not less than 4 inches (102 mm) from the 
sidewall.
• If it is not practical to install the Heat Alarm on the ceiling, the next 
logical location is on a sidewall. A Heat Alarm mounted on a sidewall
should have the top of the unit between 4 and 12 inches (102 mm and
305 mm) from the ceiling.
• The smooth ceiling distance between Heat Alarms shall not exceed
spacings as determined by UL fire tests. This Heat Alarm has a 50 foot
(15 meter) spacing.
• Reduced spacing may be required due to factors such as exposed
joists, drafts, ceiling heights greater than 10 feet (3 meters), and other
structural characteristics that may affect Heat Alarm operation. Walls,
partitions, doorways, and joists interrupt the normal flow of heat 
creating new areas to be protected.
NFPA Standard 72 Appendix A-2-5.2.2.2 part c-d
(c) The Spacing of Detectors: Where a room is too large for protection 
by a single detector, several detectors should be used. It is important
that they be properly located so all parts of the room are covered. 
(d) Where the Distance Between Detectors Should Be Further Reduced:
The distance between detectors is based on data obtained from the
spread of heat across a smooth ceiling. Where the ceiling is not smooth,
the placement of the detector should be tailored to the situation. 
For instance, with open wood joists, heat travels freely down the joist
channels so that the maximum distance between detectors [50 ft (15 m)]
may be permitted to be used. However, heat has trouble spreading
across the joists, so the distance in this direction should be 1/2 the 
distance allowed between detectors, as shown in the illustration above
(“Heat Alarms Recommended in New Home Construction”) and the 
distance to the wall is reduced to 12-1/2 ft. (3.8 m). Since 1/2 x 50 ft. 
(15 m) is 25 ft. (7.6 m), the distance between detectors across open 
wood joists should not exceed 25 ft. (7.6 m), as shown in  “Heat Alarms
Recommended in New Home Construction,” and the distance to the wall
is reduced [1/2 x 25 ft. (7.6 m)] to 12.5 ft. (3.8 m). Paragraph 2-5.2.2.4
requires that detectors be mounted on the bottom of the joists and not
up in joist channels.
Walls, partitions, doorways, ceiling beams, and open joists interrupt the
normal flow of heat, thus creating new areas to be protected.
GARAGE
BEDROOM
BEDROOM
HALL
LIVING ROOM
KITCHEN
BASEMENT
BEDROOM
INTERCONNECTED HEAT ALARMS IN 
GARAGES, KITCHENS, UTILITY/LAUNDRY 
ROOMS, FURNACE ROOMS AND CRAWL 
SPACES AND ONLY AS A SUPPLEMENT TO 
SMOKE ALARMS.
FOR MAXIMUM PROTECTION USE 
INTERCONNECTED SMOKE ALARMS WITH 
BATTERY BACK-UP AS SHOWN.
12.5 ft.
(3.8 m)
25 ft.
(7.8 m)
25 ft.
(7.8 m)
50 ft.
(15 m)
25 ft.
(7.8 m)
25 ft.
(7.8 m)
12.5 ft.
(3.8 m)
Heat Alarms should be mounted on the bottom of the joists 
and not up in the joist channels.
IF YOU SUSPECT A PROBLEM
Heat Alarms may not operate properly because of a build-up of dirt, dust or
grease on the Heat Alarm cover, or installation in an improper location. Clean
the Heat Alarm as described in “Regular Maintenance,” then test the Heat
Alarm again. If it fails to test properly when you use the test button, or if the
problem persists, replace the Heat Alarm immediately.
If you experience frequent non-emergency alarms try relocating the
Heat Alarm.
If the alarm sounds when no smoke is visible, try cleaning or 
relocating the Heat Alarm. The cover may be dirty.
If the alarm does not sound during testing, make sure it is receiving
AC power from the household current.
Always discharge the branch circuit before servicing an AC or AC/DC
Heat Alarm. First, turn off the AC power at the circuit breaker or fuse
box. Next, remove the battery from Heat Alarms with battery back-up.
Finally, press the test button to discharge the branch circuit.
If the Heat Alarm is still not operating properly, and it is still under warranty,
please see “How to Obtain Warranty Service” in the Limited Warranty.
Do not try fixing the alarm yourself – this will void your warranty!