Counterfeit call points causing increasing concern Released 13 December 2002 KAC invented the ubiquitous break glass call point in 1972; their patented design of operating mechanism is accepted as the global industry standard for manual activation devices in fire systems. Other reputable companies have subsequently entered the call point market, offering their own product designs in competition to KAC. However, in a very worrying trend, it is becoming increasingly common to find call points from several different manufacturers, apparently manufactured in remote low labour cost areas, whose design is so close to that of the KAC device that passing-off and deception can be the only objective. The products bear a striking resemblance to a genuine KAC call point, even down to the recessed area and other styling features on the lid that have no functional purpose. One manufacturer even goes so far as to copy the layout and style of the genuine KAC product leaflet provided with every unit. There are many dangers in using such counterfeit devices. A call point has to work immediately it is needed, often many years after being originally installed. The KAC name is a guarantee of top quality, properly rated components, the use of the correct flame-retardant materials, high quality manufacturing processes and 100% testing during production. KAC has a track record of more than 30 years of successful manufacturing in the UK; the same cannot possibly be said of the imitation products from anonymous operations located somewhere in the Far East. Third party approvals from a reputable test house are the guarantee of quality. All KAC products are Certified to EN 54 part 11 by LPCB and have a yellow LPCB label on the rear of the device. Some of the counterfeit products are CE Marked, although it is not clear to what Directive. Passive components do not have to meet the EMC Directive and the Low Voltage Directive is only applicable above 50V. Genuine KAC products can be identified in a number of ways. KAC is embossed into the mouldings and is visible when the lid is removed; they also have the manufacturing details displayed under the lid area. For safety's sake, always specify a KAC call point and check that it is the genuine article. Lives could depend on it. *** Ends: body copy 369 words *** Notes to Editors. For further information: KAC contact: Jonathan Dipple KAC 15 - 19 Trescott Road Trafford Park Smallwood Redditch B98 7AH Tel: + 44 1527 406655 Fax: + 44 1527 406699 jdipple@kac.co.uk www.kac.co.uk Agency contact: Nigel May Parkfield Parkfield House Damerham Hants SP6 3HQ Tel: + 44 (0)1725 518321 Fax: + 44 (0)1725 518378 nigel.may@parkfield.co.uk www.parkfield.co.uk KAC Alarms is the world's leading manufacturer of manual call points and associated products. The company is a member of the Honeywell Safety and Security Solutions business. Honeywell is a US$24-billion diversified technology and manufacturing leader, serving customers worldwide with aerospace products and services; control technologies for buildings, homes and industry; automotive products; specialty chemicals; fibers; plastics; and electronic and advanced materials. Honeywell employs approximately 115,000 people in 95 countries and is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol HON, as well as on the London, Chicago and Pacific stock exchanges. It is one of the 30 stocks that make up the Dow Jones Industrial Average and is also a component of the Standard & Poor's 500 Index. Additional information on the company is available on the Internet at www.honeywell.com. This release contains forward-looking statements as defined in Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including statements about future business operations, financial performance and market conditions. Such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties inherent in business forecasts as further described in our filings under the Securities Exchange Act.