Ei Electronics 230V~ Smoke & Heat Alarms

Product Range

Alkaline Battery Back-Up Models:

• Ei141RC - Ionisation
• Ei144RC - Heat
• Ei146RC - Optical

Rechargeable Lithium Cell Back-Up Models:

• Ei161RC - Ionisation
• Ei164RC - Heat
• Ei166RC - Optical

1. Regular Checks

Look for:

• Constant green light
• Red light flash every 40 seconds

Testing:

• Press test button for 10 seconds. Alarm will sound loudly.
• Vacuum around side vents to clean.

Part Number: P/N B17682 Rev2

2. Alarm Removal

WARNING: DISCONNECT MAINS BEFORE REMOVAL

1. Locate Removal Slot: Find the arrow on the front face of the alarm; the slot is directly above it.
2. Insert Screwdriver: Insert a flat-bladed screwdriver horizontally approximately 1cm into the center of the removal slot.
3. Slide Alarm Off Base: With the screwdriver inserted, push the lower half of the alarm away from the screwdriver in the direction of the arrow on the cover.
4. Remove Alarm: Hold the lower half of the alarm and remove it from the base plate by moving it vertically downwards.

3. Important Information

• Do not paint your alarm. Do not allow paint, water, or dust to contaminate it.
• Your alarm is a mains 230V AC electrical appliance. Do not open or insert anything into the alarm.
• Regularly check that the green mains indicator light on the cover is lit.
• Testing: Press and hold the test button for 10 seconds. The alarm will sound loudly, and the red light will flash rapidly. All interconnected alarms should also sound.
• If the alarm beeps once every 40 seconds for over 20 minutes, the battery is likely depleted (Ei141RC/144RC/146RC models only) and must be replaced. Refer to the "Changing the Battery" section.
• If a nuisance alarm occurs, press the test/hush button to silence the alarm for 10 minutes.
• Clean your alarm regularly to reduce false alarms.
• Remove or cover your alarm completely when decorating to prevent dust or contamination.
• If your alarm sounds for no reason and will not reset, it can be removed by releasing the clip on the base (see "Alarm Removal" section).

4. Changing the Battery (Models Ei141RC / 144RC / 146RC only)

1. Switch off mains power to the alarm (the green light should go out).
2. Remove the unit as shown in the "Alarm Removal" section.
3. Locate the battery slot in the base of the alarm.
4. Unclip the battery from the battery snap connectors.
5. Connect the new battery by clipping it back onto the battery snap connectors. Use only 9V Alkaline batteries (e.g., Duracell MN1604, Energizer 522).
6. Slide the unit back onto the base until it clicks.
7. Press and hold the test button; the horn should sound loudly.
8. Reinstate mains power to the alarm (the green light should come on).

Battery Recommendation: Use batteries with a "use by date" at least 2 years in the future. Replace the battery at least every three years for optimum performance.

5. Testing & Maintaining Your Alarm

Inspection & Testing Procedure:

• Check all alarms weekly, especially after initial installation or re-occupation.
• (i) Check the green mains indicator light is on. If off, check circuit breakers, fuses, and wiring.
• (ii) Check that the red LED on the cover flashes once every 40 seconds to indicate normal operation. If the memory has been set, the red light will flash twice every 40 seconds.
• (iii) Press the test button for up to 10 seconds to ensure the sensor chamber, electronics, and sounder are working. The red light will flash while the horn sounds.
• WARNING: DO NOT TEST WITH FLAME
• (iv) Check for any sign of contamination (cobwebs, dust) and clean as described in the "Cleaning Your Alarm" section.
• (v) Interconnected Alarms only: Test the first unit. All interconnected units should alarm within 10 seconds.
• (vi) Check the mains battery back-up directly after installation and then at least yearly. Turn off mains power, check the green light is off, then press the test button to ensure the horn sounds. Turn mains back on if the test passes.
• Monitor the alarm for any beeps.

Switching off Mains for long periods: If the premises are left without mains power for extended periods, remove alarms from mounting plates to prevent battery depletion. Re-attach when premises are re-occupied.

5.1 If the Unit is Beeping

The alarm monitors the battery every 40 seconds. A short beep every 40 seconds indicates a depleted battery.

Models Ei141RC, Ei144RC & Ei146RC only:

• Check battery snaps are connected properly.
• For Optical Smoke Alarm (Ei146RC), if beeping and red light not flashing, there may be a problem with the smoke chamber (see "Cleaning Your Alarm").
• If beeps continue for over 20 minutes after ruling out other causes, the battery must be replaced (see "Changing the Battery").

Models Ei161RC, Ei164RC & Ei166RC only:

• Check the green mains power light. If off, the alarm is not receiving mains power and is running on depleted back-up cells (which are not replaceable). Re-connect mains, check fuses, circuit breakers, and wiring. Beeps should cease within 2 hours as cells charge. Fully charged cells provide up to 6 months back-up.
• For Optical Smoke Alarm (Ei166RC), if beeping and red light not flashing, there may be a problem with the smoke chamber (see "Cleaning Your Alarm").
• If beeping persists after ruling out all other causes, the rechargeable cells may be defective. Return the alarm to the manufacturer for repair or replacement (see "Getting Your Alarm Serviced").

A unit will operate from mains alone even with a depleted battery, but may not give sufficient warning if mains fails. Consult a qualified electrician for wiring issues. If problems persist, return the unit for examination.

6. Cleaning Your Alarm

WARNING: Electrical shock hazard. Disconnect AC mains at the fuse box or circuit breaker before cleaning.

• Clean regularly, especially in dusty areas. Use a vacuum cleaner with a narrow nozzle attachment to remove dust, insects, and cobwebs from the sides and cover slots.
• Wipe the cover with a damp cloth, then dry thoroughly with a lint-free cloth.
• WARNING: Do not paint your Alarm.

No other customer servicing is required. Repairs must be performed by the manufacturer. Dust and insect ingress can cause false alarms or failure to alarm. Keep alarms clean to prolong life. Promptly remove insects or cobwebs.

Contamination can build up in the smoke sensing chamber, causing the alarm to sound or fail. If this happens, the alarm must be returned for servicing or replacement. Contamination is not covered by the guarantee.

If experiencing persistent nuisance/false alarms, consider the environment. For dust or steam, use an ionisation alarm. For cooking fumes, use an optical alarm.

7. Nuisance/False Alarms

• To silence a nuisance/false alarm, briefly press the test/silence button. The unit will switch to reduced sensitivity for 10 minutes. The red light will flash every 10 seconds.
• If an alarm sounds with no sign of fire, ensure your family is in a safe place before investigating. Check for small fires or sources of smoke/fumes (e.g., cooking fumes).
• If nuisance/false alarms are frequent, consider relocating the device or replacing an ionisation alarm with an optical alarm.
• If the alarm continues to sound without smoke or heat (due to insect infestation or contamination), disconnect mains power and remove the unit (see "Alarm Removal").
• If cleaning does not correct the problem, return the unit for repair or replacement.

Silence Feature:

1. Pressing the Test/Silence Button silences a nuisance alarm for 10 minutes, reducing sensitivity. The red light flashes every 10 seconds. On interconnected alarms, pressing the button on the sensing unit silences all alarms.
2. The unit resets to normal sensitivity after the silenced period.

8. Important Safeguards

• Read all instructions.
• Rehearse emergency escape plans.
• Do not paint or cover the Smoke Alarm. Avoid accumulation of cobwebs, dust, or grease.
• If the unit is damaged or not functioning properly, do not attempt repair. Return it for servicing.
• This appliance is intended for residential type environments only.
• Smoke/Heat Alarms are not a substitute for insurance.
• The chamber in lonisation (Ei141RC/161RC) Smoke Alarms contains a small amount of radioactive material (33kBq of Amercium 241). Do not tamper with the chamber.
• Do not dispose of your Alarm in a fire.

9. Planning Your Escape Route

• Use the Test Buttons to practice fire drills.
• Draw a floor plan with at least 2 escape routes from each room.
• Teach children how to escape, open windows, and use fire ladders/stools.
• 1. Check Room Doors: Check doors for heat or smoke. Do not open a hot door. Use an alternate route. Close doors behind you.
• 2. Heavy Smoke: Crawl out close to the floor, taking short breaths, preferably through a wet cloth.
• 3. Get Out Fast: Do not stop for packing. Have a prearranged meeting place outside. Check everyone is there.
• 4. Call Fire Brigade: Call immediately on a mobile phone or from a neighbor's house. Call for all fires, no matter how small.
• 5. NEVER re-enter a burning house.

Limitations of Smoke / Heat Alarms

• Alarms may not work if mains power is off and the battery is depleted. Batteries should be replaced every three years or if a low battery beep occurs.
• High or low temperatures, or high humidity, may reduce battery life.
• Alarms may not detect fire if smoke/heat does not reach them (e.g., fire is too far away, behind closed doors, in chimneys, or carried away by air currents). Install alarms on both sides of closed doors and use multiple alarms to improve detection probability.
• The alarm may not be heard by everyone (e.g., persons under the influence of drugs or alcohol).
• Alarms may not detect every type of fire for sufficient early warning.
• Optical and Ionisation Smoke Alarms should be fitted for the fastest response to all fire types.
• Alarms do not last indefinitely; contamination can impair performance. Replace alarms after 10 years as a precaution.

10. Alarm Control (Optional)

A System Control Switch (Ei1529RC) is available as an optional accessory for remote functions:

• LOCATE: Identifies the source of an alarm.
• SILENCE: Silences nuisance/false alarms.
• TEST: Operates alarms weekly.
• MAINS CHECK: Tests mains power status.

For RadioLINK interconnect and Alarm control, an Ei168RC Alarm Base and an Ei450 Alarm Controller are required.

11. Getting Your Alarm Serviced

If your alarm fails to work after reading instructions and checking installation, contact Customer Assistance. Package the unit securely and send it to the address provided. State the nature of the fault, purchase location, and date.

Note: Do not attach to the mounting plate before shipping, as this connects the battery and may cause the unit to beep or alarm in transit.

12. Five Year Guarantee

Ei Electronics guarantees this Alarm (excluding batteries in Ei141RC/144RC/146RC models) for five years from the date of purchase against defects due to faulty materials or workmanship under normal conditions of use. The guarantee does not cover damage from accident, neglect, misuse, unauthorised dismantling, or contamination. It excludes incidental and consequential damage.

Return the defective unit to Ei Electronics with proof of purchase, packaged securely, with the problem clearly stated. Tampering with the alarm will invalidate the guarantee and may expose the user to shock or fire hazards.

This guarantee is in addition to your statutory consumer rights.

13. Troubleshooting

1. Frequent Nuisance/False Alarms Occur:

• Close kitchen/bathroom doors when in use.
• Ensure the alarm is sited at least 6m away from sources of fumes.
• Contamination (insects, paint fumes) may have occurred. Clean the alarm (see "Cleaning Your Alarm").
• If the problem persists, consider relocating the unit.

2. Alarm Sounds for No Apparent Reason:

• Identify the alarm source (red light flashes rapidly on the source unit). Use the Locate function on the Ei1529RC Control Switch if installed.
• Check for fumes, steam, etc., from kitchens or bathrooms. Paint and other fumes can cause nuisance/false alarms.
• Press the test/silence button to silence the alarm for 10 minutes.
• If the alarm does not stop, switch off mains and remove the unit (see "Alarm Removal").

3. Low Battery & Other Beeps:

• (On Ei141RC/144RC/146RC only): If the battery is connected and the unit has beeped for over 20 minutes, the battery is likely depleted. Replace the battery.
• (On Ei161RC/164RC/166RC only): Check the green mains power light. If off, check fuses, circuit breakers, and wiring. If the green light is off, lithium cells will deplete after months without mains and need recharging. If mains power fails to stop beeps, a fault may exist. Switch off mains and remove the unit.
• (All Alarms): If the green mains light is on and replacing the battery, recharging lithium cells, or cleaning the unit has not stopped beeps, a fault may exist. Disconnect mains and replace the unit.
• (Optical unit Ei146RC/166RC): If it beeps without the red light flashing, the chamber may be defective. Clean the chamber.

4. Interconnected Alarms Do Not All Sound:

• Hold the test button for 10 seconds after the first alarm sounds to ensure signal transmission.
• Check that one or more connections are not correctly connected. Consult a qualified electrician.

Compliance Information

CE 0086

Ei Electronics, Shannon, Co. Clare, Ireland

DoP No. 13-0001

EN14604:2005 + AC:2008

Smoke Alarm Devices: Ei141RC, Ei146RC, Ei161RC, Ei166RC

Fire Safety Performance:

• Nominal activation conditions/sensitivity, response delay, performance under fire condition: Pass
• Operational reliability: Pass
• Tolerance to voltage supply: Pass
• Response delay and temperature resistance: Pass
• Vibration resistance: Pass
• Humidity resistance: Pass
• Corrosion resistance: Pass
• Electrical stability: Pass

Heat Alarm Devices: Ei144RC, Ei164RC

The Declaration of Performance No. 13-0001 may be consulted at www.eielectronics.com/compliance.

Index

1. Regular Checks - 1
2. Alarm Removal - 2
3. Important Information - 3
4. Changing the Battery - 4
5. Testing & Maintaining Your Alarm - 4
6. Cleaning Your Alarm - 7
7. Nuisance/False Alarms - 8
8. Important Safeguards - 9
9. Planning Your Escape Route - 9
10. Alarm Control - 11
11. Getting Your Alarm Serviced - 11
12. Five Year Guarantee - 11
13. Troubleshooting - 12

Disposal Information

The crossed-out wheelie bin symbol indicates that this product should not be disposed of via normal household waste. Proper disposal prevents harm to the environment or human health. Contact your local government office or retailer for collection and disposal details.

Contact Information

Aico Ltd.
Mile End Business Park, Maesbury Rd,
Oswestry, Shropshire SY10 8NN, U.K.
Tel: 0870 758 4000
www.aico.co.uk

Ei Electronics.
Shannon, Co Clare, Ireland.
Tel: 061 471277
www.eielectronics.com