Symptoms Of Co Poisoning - First Alert PC910 User Manual

User manual (2 pages)

User manual

Table of Contents

SILENCING THE END OF LIFE SIGNAL

This silence feature can temporarily quiet the End of Life warning "chirp" for up to 2 days. You can silence the End of Life warning "chirp" by pressing the Test/Silence

button. The horn will chirp, acknowledging that the End of Life silence feature has been activated. After approximately 2 days, the End of Life "chirp" will resume.

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WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT CO:

CO is an invisible, odorless, tasteless gas produced when fossil fuels do not burn completely, or are exposed to heat (usually fire). Electrical appliances typically do not

produce CO. These fuels include: Wood, coal, charcoal, oil, natural gas, gasoline, kerosene, and propane. Common appliances are often sources of CO. If they are not

properly maintained, are improperly ventilated, or malfunction, CO levels can rise quickly. CO is a real danger now that homes are more energy efficient. "Air-tight"

homes with added insulation, sealed windows, and other weatherproofing can "trap" CO inside.

SYMPTOMS OF CO POISONING

These symptoms are related to CO POISONING and should be discussed with ALL household members.

Mild Exposure: Slight headache, nausea, vomiting, fatigue ("flu-like" symptoms).

Medium Exposure: Throbbing headache, drowsiness, confusion, fast heart rate.

Extreme Exposure: Convulsions, unconsciousness, heart and lung failure. Exposure to Carbon Monoxide can cause brain damage, death.

This CO Alarm measures exposure to CO over time. It alarms if CO levels are extremely high in a short period of time, or if CO levels reach a certain minimum over

a long period of time. The CO Alarm generally sounds an alarm before the onset of symptoms in average, healthy adults. Why is this important? Because you need

to be warned of a potential CO problem while you can still react in time. In many reported cases of CO exposure, victims may be aware that they are not feeling

well, but become disoriented and can no longer react well enough to exit the building or get help. Also, young children and pets may be the first affected. The

average healthy adult might not feel any symptoms when the CO Alarm sounds. However, people with cardiac or respiratory problems, infants, unborn babies,

pregnant mothers, or elderly people can be more quickly and severely affected by CO. If you experience even mild symptoms of CO poisoning, consult your doctor

immediately!

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FINDING THE SOURCE OF CO AFTER AN ALARM

Carbon monoxide is an odorless, invisible gas, which often makes it difficult to locate the source of CO after an alarm. These are a few of the factors that can make it

difficult to locate sources of CO:

• House well ventilated before the investigator arrives.

• Problem caused by "backdrafting."

• Transient CO problem caused by special circumstances.

Because CO may dissipate by the time an investigator arrives, it may be difficult to locate the source of CO. BRK Brands, Inc. shall not be obligated to pay for any

carbon monoxide investigation or service call.

POTENTIAL SOURCES OF CO IN THE HOME

Fuel-burning appliances like: portable heater, gas or wood burning fireplace, gas kitchen range or cooktop, gas clothes dryer.

Damaged or insufficient venting: corroded or disconnected water heater vent pipe, leaking chimney pipe or flue, or cracked heat exchanger, blocked or clogged

chimney opening.

Improper use of appliance/device: operating a barbecue grill or vehicle in an enclosed area (like a

garage or screened porch).

Transient CO Problems: "transient" or on-again-off-again CO problems can be caused by outdoor

conditions and other special circumstances.

The following conditions can result in transient CO situations:

1. Excessive spillage or reverse venting of fuel appliances caused by outdoor conditions such as:

• Wind direction and/or velocity, including high, gusty winds. Heavy air in the vent pipes (cold/humid

air with extended periods between cycles).

• Negative pressure differential resulting from the use of exhaust fans.

• Several appliances running at the same time competing for limited fresh air.

• Vent pipe connections vibrating loose from clothes dryers, furnaces, or water heaters.

• Obstructions in or unconventional vent pipe designs which can amplify the above situations.

2. Extended operation of unvented fuel burning devices (range, oven, fireplace).

3. Temperature inversions, which can trap exhaust close to the ground.

4. Car idling in an open or closed attached garage, or near a home.

These conditions are dangerous because they can trap exhaust in your home. Since these conditions can come and go, they are also hard to recreate

during a CO investigation.

SILENCING THE END OF LIFE SIGNAL

This silence feature can temporarily quiet the End of Life warning "chirp" for up to 2 days. You can silence the End of Life warning "chirp" by pressing the Test/Silence

button. The horn will chirp, acknowledging that the End of Life silence feature has been activated. After approximately 2 days, the End of Life "chirp" will resume.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT CO:

CO is an invisible, odorless, tasteless gas produced when fossil fuels do not burn completely, or are exposed to heat (usually fire). Electrical appliances typically do not

produce CO. These fuels include: Wood, coal, charcoal, oil, natural gas, gasoline, kerosene, and propane. Common appliances are often sources of CO. If they are not

properly maintained, are improperly ventilated, or malfunction, CO levels can rise quickly. CO is a real danger now that homes are more energy efficient. "Air-tight"

homes with added insulation, sealed windows, and other weatherproofing can "trap" CO inside.

WHAT IS CO?

•