Q: How is the Silhouette Low-Profile Smoke Alarm different from other smoke alarms?
A: Silhouette is an innovative, low-profile smoke alarm from Kidde with a sleek, new design. Its unique, square shape protrudes less than half an inch from the ceiling, allowing it to effortlessly blend in with its surroundings. Silhouette marks the first dramatic evolution of smoke alarm design since their creation in 1967.
Q: Does the Silhouette Low-Profile Smoke Alarm detect fire the way other smoke alarms will?
A: Silhouette’s Low-Profile alarm uses the same trusted, high-quality technology as Kidde’s other ionization smoke alarms. The encasement containing the alarm’s sensor and other components fits into the electrical box that houses the alarms’ wiring, which allows only the face plate to protrude from the ceiling. Like all Kidde smoke alarms, the Silhouette Low-Profile alarm has the approval of Underwriters Laboratories (UL), an independent third-party testing laboratory that issues the standard to which smoke alarms are listed.
Q: How is the Silhouette Low-Profile Alarm powered?
A: This alarm runs off the home’s electricity, and contains a rechargeable battery for backup power during power outages. This alarm will link with other alarms to create an interconnected system so that when one alarm sounds, all of the alarms sound, offering an earlier warning throughout the home. Today’s building codes usually require that newly constructed homes have hardwired, interconnected smoke alarms with battery backup.
Q: How often do I need to replace the battery?
A: Never. The Silhouette Low-Profile Smoke Alarm contains a rechargeable lithium battery that is sealed inside the unit. If the battery drains due to a power outage, it will recharge automatically once a home’s electricity is restored. The battery lasts for the lifetime of the alarm. Fire experts recommend replacing smoke alarms every ten years.
Q: If all of my alarms sound, how will I or the fire department know which unit initiated the response?
A: Silhouette Low-Profile smoke alarms are equipped with an initiating alarm memory. The smoke alarm that first detects the hazard will have a flashing green LED as well as sounding an alarm. The other smoke alarms triggered by the initiating alarm will also sound, but will not have a red flashing LED.
Q: Is there a way to hush nuisance alarms, such as when I burn toast in the kitchen?
A: The Silhouette Low-Profile smoke alarm has a Smart Hush™ feature that will temporarily silence the smoke alarm if a nonemergency condition – such as smoke from cooking – activates the alarm. Simply push the button on the alarm that initiated the alert to temporarily silence the system for about seven minutes. This button will also test the operation of the alarm and interconnected system. Kidde recommends that you test your smoke alarms monthly.
Q: What is the lifespan of the Silhouette Low-Profile Smoke Alarm?
A: This smoke alarm has a limited 10 year warranty. Fire experts recommend replacing smoke alarms every 10 years.
Q: Is the Silhouette Low-Profile Smoke Alarm UL-Listed?
A: Yes, the alarm is listed to the UL217 smoke alarm standard.
AVAILABILITY
Q: When will the Silhouette Low-Profile Smoke Alarm be available?
A: Spring of 2008. Contact your builder, general contractor or local electrical distributor for details about installing it in your new or remodeled home. For more information, visit www.kidde.com.
Q: Are there plans for any other products in the Silhouette line?
A: Yes. The Silhouette Low-Profile Carbon Monoxide alarm is slated to be available in Fall 2008.