Roost RSA-200 Installation and operating manual

USER MANUAL AND SAFETY GUIDE
Roost Smart Smoke Alarm
For Fire and Smoke Alerts
RSA-200

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applications.
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Sunnyvale, CA 94085
User Guide Version: 1.0
Publication date: May 1, 2016
[email protected]
There are three basic smoke alarm types: Universal Smoke Sensing Technology®, Ionization and
Photoelectric
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Universal Smoke Sensing Technology®is an ionization alarm containing patented Smart Alarm
Technology. Alarms containing Universal Smoke Sensing Technology are effective at detecting fast flaming
fires and slow smoldering fires.

Ionization smoke alarms are typically more effective at detecting fast flaming fires—fires which consume
combustible materials rapidly and spread quickly. Sources of these fires may include paper burning in a
wastebasket, or kitchen grease fires.

Photoelectric smoke alarms, on the other hand, are typically more effective at detecting slow smoldering
fires—fires which burn for hours before bursting into flame. Sources of these fires may include cigarettes
burning in couches or bedding.

Installing alarms containing Universal Smoke Sensing Technology ensures maximum detection of both types
of fires from a single alarm.

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The enclosed alarm is a 2-in-1 Universal Smoke Sensing Technology¨ Smoke & Fire Smart
Alarm
SMOKE ALARMS WILL NOT WORK DURING A LOSS OF POWER. SINCE A SMOKE ALARM WILL NOT
WORK WITHOUT POWER, having an alarm(s) that works from two completely different power sources,
such as an AC direct wire with battery backup smoke alarm, can give you an extra measure of protection
in case of an AC power failure or a dead battery. Battery operated alarms cannot work if the batteries are
missing, disconnected or dead, if the wrong type of batteries are used or if the batteries are not installed
correctly. AC (only) powered alarms cannot work if the AC power is cut off for any reason. If you are
concerned about the limitations of the battery or AC power, install both types of alarms.
• USING AN IONIZATION SMOKE ALARM IN A SMOKY AREA, SUCH AS A KITCHEN, OR IN A HIGH
HUMIDITY AREA NEAR A SHOWER, CAN CAUSE NUISANCE FALSE ALARMS. IT IS PREFERABLE TO
USE PHOTOELECTRIC ALARMS IN THESE AREAS. DO NOT TURN OFF THE AC POWER TO QUIET
THE ALARM. A SMOKE ALARM WILL NOT HELP PROTECT YOU IF IT IS NOT POWERED. Properly
locate your alarm to avoid nuisance alarms.
• SMOKE ALARM MAY NOT ALWAYS WARN YOU ABOUT FIRES CAUSED BY CARELESSNESS
AND SAFETY HAZARDS LIKE SMOKING IN BED, VIOLENT EXPLOSIONS, ESCAPING GAS, IMPROPER
STORAGE OF FLAMMABLE MATERIALS, OVERLOADED ELECTRICAL CIRCUITS, CHILDREN PLAYING
WITH MATCHES, NATURAL CAUSES SUCH AS LIGHTNING, OR ARSON. FIRE PREVENTION IS YOUR
BEST SAFEGUARD.
• INSTALLING SMOKE ALARMS MAY MAKE YOU ELIGIBLE FOR LOWER INSURANCE RATES,
BUT SMOKE ALARMS ARE NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR INSURANCE. Homeowners and renters alike
should continue to insure their lives and properties.
• SMOKE ALARMS CANNOT DETECT FIRES IF THE SMOKE DOES NOT REACH THEM. Smoke
from fires may not reach the sensing chamber and set off the alarm. One alarm should be installed inside
each bedroom or sleeping area. Do not obstruct airflow around the smoke alarm or place in areas of
obstructed airflow.
• BE AWARE OF VARIOUS SITUATIONS AGAINST WHICH THE SMOKE ALARM MAY NOT BE
EFFECTIVE. For example: (1) Fires where the victim is intimate with a flaming initiated fire; for example,
when a person’s clothes catch fire while cooking; (2) Fires where the smoke is prevented from reaching the
alarm due to a closed door or other obstruction or (3) Incendiary fires where the fire grows so rapidly that
an occupant’s egress is blocked even with properly located alarms.
• SMOKE ALARMS MAY NOT DETECT FIRE ON ANOTHER FLOOR OR AREA OF THE HOME.
Recommended minimum protection is at least one smoke alarm in every sleeping area and every bedroom
on every level of your home. Interconnected smoke alarms may provide earlier warning than stand-alone

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smoke alarms since all smoke alarms alarm when one detects smoke.
• SMOKE ALARMS MAY NOT BE HEARD. The alarm horn in this alarm meets or exceeds current
standards, but it may not be heard if: (1) the smoke alarm is located outside a closed or partially closed
door; (2) residents recently consumed alcohol or drugs; (3) the alarm is drowned out by noise from
stereos, TV’s, air conditioners or other appliances; (4) residents are hearing impaired or (5) if residents are
sleeping.
• CURRENT STUDIES HAVE SHOWN SMOKE ALARMS MAY NOT AWAKEN ALL SLEEPING
INDIVIDUALS AND THAT IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF INDIVIDUALS IN THE HOUSEHOLD WHO
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.
• SMOKE ALARMS ARE NOT FOOLPROOF. You must test the smoke alarm weekly to ensure your
continued protection. Smoke alarms cannot prevent or extinguish fires.
• SMOKE ALARMS HAVE A LIMITED LIFE. The smoke alarm should be replaced immediately if it is not
operating properly. You should always replace a smoke alarm after 10 years.
• SMOKE ALARMS ARE NOT TO BE USED WITH DETECTOR GUARDS UNLESS THE
COMBINATION HAS BEEN EVALUATED AND FOUND SUITABLE FOR THAT PURPOSE.
INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS: CAUTION! READ CAREFULLY: Installation of this alarm must
conform to the electrical codes in your area; Article 760 of the National Electrical Code, NFPA 72, 101; SBC
(SBCCI); UBC (ICBO); NBC (BOCA): OTFDC (CABO), and any other local or building codes that may apply.
Wiring and installation must be performed by a licensed electrician. Failure to follow these guidelines may
result in injury or property damage.
This alarm must be powered by a 24-hour, 120V AC 60Hz circuit. Be sure the circuit cannot be turned off
by a switch, dimmer or ground fault circuit interrupter. Failure to connect this alarm to a 24-hour circuit may
prevent it from providing constant protection.
IMPORTANT: Do not subject this alarm to megger, high voltage or high-pot tests. Remove the alarm(s)
before high-potting tests occur on the circuit or system. (Ref. Section 550-17, National Electric Code, 2002
Edition).
ELECTRICAL SHOCK HAZARD: Turn off power to the area where you will install this alarm at the circuit
breaker or fuse box before beginning installation. Failure to turn off the power before installation may result
in serious electrical shock, injury or death.

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CAUTION: THIS SMOKE ALARM IS SEALED. THE COVER IS NOT REMOVABLE!
• A mounting bracket is provided on the back of the alarm.
• Remove the mounting bracket from the back of the alarm by holding the mounting bracket and twisting
the alarm in the direction indicated by the “TWIST TO REMOVE” arrow on the side of the alarm base.
OPTIONAL TAMPER RESISTANT FEATURES: There are two separate tamper resistant locking features
provided for this model. Activating one or both of these features deters someone from removing the smoke
alarm from the mounting bracket or removing the battery from the alarm. The breakaway locking pins are
clearly marked and molded into the mounting bracket. Refer to the diagram on the next page.
TO ACTIVATE THE LOCKING FEATURES: Do not activate the locking features until you have activated
the battery, mounted the smoke alarm to the bracket and tested the smoke alarm. Refer to OPERATION,
TESTING & MAINTENANCE instructions.
1. Detach the breakaway alarm locking pin from the mounting bracket.
2. Insert the pin into the hole for the feature you are activating. Refer to the diagram below for correct
placement.

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TO DEACTIVATE THE LOCKING FEATURES: To remove the alarm for cleaning or servicing or to replace
the battery, you must first remove the appropriate locking pin, if it has been installed.
1. Turn off AC power to the circuit.
2. Use long nose pliers to pull the locking pin out of the hole.
3. It is now possible to remove the alarm or replace the battery.
WIRING INSTRUCTIONS:
1. a. The appropriate power supply is 120 Volt single phase power supplied from a non-switchable circuit
NOT protected by a ground fault circuit interrupter.
b. Turn off AC power to the circuit before wiring the alarm.
c. There are three pigtail wires (black, white and yellow) coming from the AC QUICK
CONNECTOR. The proper wire connection is as follows:
WIRES FROM QUICK CONNECTOR CONNECT TO
BLACK “HOT” side of AC line
WHITE “NEUTRAL” side of AC line
YELLOW Interconnect wires of other alarms
DO NOT TAMPER WITH WIRES WHEN POWER IS ON! For alarms that are used as single smoke
alarms, do not connect the yellow wire to anything. Insulate this wire (tape it) in place to make certain the
yellow wire cannot contact any metal parts.
INTERCONNECTION & COMPATIBILITY: Interconnected alarms can provide earlier warning of fire
than stand-alone alarms, especially if a fire starts in a remote area of the dwelling. When alarms are
interconnected, all alarms will sound when the initiating alarm sounds, providing more time to escape safely.
This alarm may be interconnected with a total of not more than 24 interconnected devices, i.e., as many
as 11 other USI ELECTRIC or UNIVERSAL brand model smoke alarms or combination smoke and carbon
monoxide (CO) or smoke and carbon monoxide/natural gas alarms; 6 other initiating alarms which may
be a combination of USI ELECTRIC or UNIVERSAL brand CO alarms and heat alarms; and six other non-
initiating devices such as USI ELECTRIC brand relay modules.
This alarm can be interconnected with the following compatible models: MDSCN111, MICN109, MCN108,
USI-1103, USI-1203, USI-1204, USI-1208, USI-1209, USI-1213, USI-5204, USI-3204, USI-7795, 5304,
MI106, MDS107, MP117, USI-2430, USI-960, MI106S, MIC1509S.

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When any one of these interconnected models alarms it will trigger the corresponding alarm within the
interconnected system with respect to their sensing capabilities. Natural gas detection is only present in
models MDSCN111, MICN109, and MCN108, therefore a natural gas alarm will NOT trigger the alarm of
non- natural gas sensing models within an interconnected system.
The following alarms cannot reset units on an interconnected system: USI-7795, CD-9795.
The following alarms can trigger Quick Find¨ Alarm Origination, but will not indicate Alarm Origination on an
interconnected system: USI-1103, USI-1203, USI-1204, USI-1208 Part USI-1209, USI-1213, USI-5204,
USI-3204, CD-9795, USI-7795, USI-2430.
The following alarms cannot be reset through an interconnected system: USI-1103, USI-1203, USI-1204,
USI-1208, USI-1209, USI-1213, USI-3204, USI-2430, USI-7795.
Interconnected CO alarms or CO alarm circuit of combination smoke and CO and Natural Gas alarms will
only respond if a CO alarm / event initiates the alarm. All other alarms remain silent.
Interconnected combination Natural Gas Alarms will only respond if a natural gas event initiated the alarm.
All other alarms remain silent. Interconnected smoke alarms, heat alarms and relay modules will only
respond if a smoke alarm /event or heat alarm / event initiates the alarm. All CO and Natural Gas alarms
remain silent. Note that smoke alarms without battery backup will not respond during an AC power failure.
NOTE: Relay Modules/USI-960 will not respond if a CO alarm / event initiates the alarm.
The yellow wire is used only for multiple station operations with USI ELECTRIC or UNIVERSAL Model
alarms only. Connecting this yellow wire to any other circuits may result in damage and alarm malfunction.

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When alarms are interconnected, all alarms must be powered from a single AC branch circuit. If local
codes do not permit, be sure the neutral wire is common to both phases. The maximum wire run distance
between the first and last alarm/device in an interconnected system is 1,000 feet. NOTE: Use standard
household wire (18 gauge or larger, rated at least 300V, as required by local codes) available at all electrical
supply/hardware stores.
The wiring to be used shall be in accordance with the provisions of Articles 210 and 300.3(B) of the National
Electrical Code, ANSI/NFPA 70. In addition, the resistance of the interconnecting wiring shall be a maximum
of 10 Ohms.
1. Attach the mounting bracket to the electrical junction box.
2. To activate 9 volt battery and alarm, hold the QUICK DRAW(R) battery drawer closed, pull and remove
the PULL-TAB. Confirm that the entire PULL-TAB has been completely removed. Discard PULL-TAB.
3. Plug the AC QUICK CONNECTOR into the alarm base. Push and twist the alarm clockwise onto the
mounting bracket.
4. See “OPTIONAL TAMPER RESISTANT FEATURES” and “TO ACTIVATE THE LOCKING FEATURES”
instructions on Page 4.
5. Turn on AC power and check the LED’s for proper operation. The green LED should be on to indicate
AC power. The red LED blinks on once approx. every 40 seconds to indicate proper operation.
IMPORTANT!
The battery backup is designed to provide short-term emergency power to the Smoke Alarm. Actual back-
up time depends on the strength (freshness) of the battery. The battery backup will not work unless a good
battery is properly installed.
NOTE: It is best to “reset” the alarms before initial test is performed.

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RECOMMENDED LOCATION OF ALARMS
• Locate the first smoke alarm in the immediate area of the bedrooms. Try to protect the escape route as
the bedrooms are usually farthest from an exit. If more than one sleeping area exists, locate additional
smoke alarms in each sleeping area. If a hall is more than 40 feet (12 meters) long, install a smoke alarm
at each end.
• Locate additional smoke alarms to protect any stairway as stairways act like chimneys for smoke and
heat.
• Locate at least one smoke alarm on every floor level.
• Locate a smoke alarm in any area where a smoker sleeps or where electrical appliances are operated in
sleeping areas.
• Smoke, heat and other combustion products rise to the ceiling and spread horizontally. Mounting the
smoke alarm on the ceiling in the center of the room places it closest to all points in the room. Ceiling
mounting is preferred in ordinary residential construction. However, in mobile homes, wall mounting on an
inside partition is preferred to avoid the thermal barrier that may form at the ceiling.
• When mounting smoke alarm on the ceiling, locate it a minimum of 4” (10cm) from a side wall or corner
(see Diagram A).
• When mounting smoke alarm on a wall, if local codes allow, use an inside wall with the top edge of the
smoke alarm a minimum of 4” (10cm) and a maximum of 12” (30.5cm) below the ceiling/wall intersections
(See Diagram A).
Existing Homes: The NFPA requires smoke alarms or combination alarms on every level and outside
each sleeping area in existing construction. An existing household with one level and one sleeping area is
required to have one smoke alarm.
New Construction Homes and Manufactured Homes: The NFPA requires AC-powered, interconnected
smoke alarms to be installed inside each bedroom, outside each bedroom area, and on every level of the
home. They also require a minimum of two AC-powered, interconnected smoke alarms or combination

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alarms in any new construction home.
Sloped Ceilings (Peaked Ceilings): Smoke alarms or combination alarms mounted on a peaked ceiling
shall be located within 36 in. (914 mm) horizontally of the peak, but not closer than 4 in. (102 mm) vertically
to the peak.
Sloped Ceilings (Shed Ceilings): Smoke alarms or combination alarms mounted on a sloped ceiling hav-
ing a rise greater than 1 ft. in 8 ft. (1m in 8 m) horizontally shall be located within 36 in. (914 mm) of the high
side of the ceiling, but not closer than 4 in. (102 mm) from the adjoining wall surface.
Tray-Shaped Ceilings: Smoke Alarms or combination alarms shall be installed on the highest portion of the
ceiling or on the sloped portion of the ceiling within 12 in. (305 mm) vertically down from the highest point.
Mobile Home Installation: For minimum protection, smoke alarms should be installed in compliance with
H.U.D. Manufactured Home Construction Safety Standards, Title 24 CFR, Section 3280.208 and Section
3282. For additional protection, see Single Story Residence smoke alarm requirements/recommendations for
Existing Homes and New Construction Homes.
NOTE: For mobile homes built before 1978, install smoke alarms or combination alarms on inside walls
between 4” and 12” from the ceiling (older mobile homes have little or no insulation in the ceiling). This is
especially important if the ceiling is unusually hot or cold. Install smoke alarms or combination alarms inside
each bedroom and in the hallway outside each separate sleeping area.
AVOID THESE LOCATIONS
• The garage – products of combustion are produced when you start your vehicle.
• Near appliances or areas where normal combustion regularly occurs (kitchens, near furnaces, gas hot
water heaters). Use smoke alarms with photoelectric sensors or smoke alarms with Silence Feature for
these areas.
• In areas with high humidity, like bathrooms or areas near dishwashers or washing machines. Install at least
3 feet (0.9 meters) away from these areas.