To use this feature, press the Test/Silence button on the cover. If the unit will not silence and no heavy smoke is present, or if it stays in silence mode continuously, it should be replaced immediately. SILENCING THE LOW BATTERY WARNING This Silence Feature can temporarily quiet the low battery warning “chirp” for up to 8 hours. Press the Test/Silence button on the Alarm cover until you hear the acknowledge “chirp”. Once the low battery warning “chirp” silence feature is activated, the unit continues to flash the green light once a minute for approximately 8 hours. After 8 hours, the low battery “chirp” will resume. Replace the batteries as soon as possible; this unit will not operate without battery power! LATCHING FEATURE Alarm Latch is activated after an Alarm is exposed to alarm levels of smoke. After smoke levels drop below alarm levels, the Red LED will begin flashing 2 seconds on, 2 seconds off unless reset by test/silence button. It will continue to flash or “latch” for about 15 minutes, to give you time to determine which unit initiated the alarm. This feature helps emergency responders, investigators, or service technicians identify which unit(s) in your home were exposed to alarm levels of smoke. This can help investigators pinpoint the source of smoke. Low Battery Latch is activated when the Alarm is in the "low battery condition". When this occurs, the Green LED flashes 2 seconds on, 2 seconds off. This feature is designed to help you identify which Alarm needs to have the battery replaced. Although, the Alarm will sound the low battery chirp approximately once every minute, sometimes during the initial stages of "low battery", the Alarm will chirp in greater intervals than one minute, sometimes up to several hours, until the battery reaches a steady low battery level. This innovative feature eliminates the frustration of waiting for and/or identifying which unit is chirping. It will continue to flash or “latch” for about 15 minutes, to give you time to determine which unit has a low battery. IF YOU SUSPECT A PROBLEM Smoke Alarms may not operate properly because of dead, missing or weak batteries, a build-up of dirt, dust or grease on the Smoke Alarm cover, or installation in an improper location. Clean the Smoke Alarm as described in “Regular Maintenance,” and install fresh batteries, then test the Smoke Alarm again. If it fails to test properly when you use the test button, or if the problem persists, replace the Smoke Alarm immediately. • If you hear a “chirp” approximately once a minute, replace the batteries. • If you experience frequent non-emergency alarms (like those caused by cooking smoke), try relocating the Smoke Alarm. • If the alarm sounds when no smoke is visible, try cleaning or relocating the Smoke Alarm. The cover may be dirty. • If the alarm does not sound during testing, try installing new batteries, and make sure they are installed correctly. Do not try fixing the alarm yourself – this will void your warranty! If the Smoke Alarm is still not operating properly, and it is still under warranty, please see “How to Obtain Warranty Service” in the Limited Warranty. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), recommends one Smoke Alarm on every floor, in every sleeping area, and in every bedroom. In new construction, the Smoke Alarms must be AC powered and interconnected. See “Agency Placement Recommendations” for details. For additional coverage, it is recommended that you install a Smoke Alarm in all rooms, halls, storage areas, finished attics, and basements, where temperatures normally remain between 40° F (4.4° C) and 100° F (37.8° C). Make sure no door or other obstruction could keep smoke from reaching the Smoke Alarms. More specifically, install Smoke Alarms: • On every level of your home, including finished attics and basements. • Inside every bedroom, especially if people sleep with the door partly or completely closed. • In the hall near every sleeping area. If your home has multiple sleeping areas, install a unit in each. If a hall is more than 40 feet long (12 meters), install a unit at each end. • At the top of the first-to-second floor stairway, and at the bottom of the basement stairway. Specific requirements for Smoke Alarm installation vary from state to state and from region to region. Check with your local Fire Department for current requirements in your area. It is recommended AC or AC/DC units be interconnected for added protection. INSTALLING SMOKE ALARMS IN MOBILE HOMES & RVS For minimum security install one Smoke Alarm as close to each sleeping area as possible. For more security, put one unit in each room. Many older mobile homes (especially those built before 1978) have little or no insulation. If your mobile home is not well insulated, or if you are unsure of the amount of insulation, it is important to install units on inside walls only. Smoke Alarms should be installed where temperatures normally remain between 40° F (4.4° C) and 100° F (37.8°...