Advertisement
WHAT LEVELS OF CO CAUSE AN ALARM?
Underwriters Laboratories Inc. Standard UL2034 requires residential CO
larms to sound when exposed to levels of CO and exposure times as
described below. CO levels are measured in parts per million (ppm) of
CO over time (in minutes).
UL2034 Required larm Points*:
•
If the alarm is exposed to 400 ppm of CO, IT MUST L RM
BETWEEN 4 and 15 MINUTES
•
If the alarm is exposed to 150 ppm of CO, IT MUST L RM
BETWEEN 10 and 50 MINUTES.
•
If the alarm is exposed to 70 ppm of CO, IT MUST L RM
BETWEEN 60 and 240 MINUTES.
* pproximately 10% COHb exposure at levels of 10% to 95% Relative
Humidity (RH).
The unit is designed not to alarm when exposed to a constant level
of 30 ppm for 30 days.
CO larms are designed to alarm before there is an immediate life
threat. Since you cannot see or smell CO, never assume it's not present.
•
n exposure to 100 ppm of CO for 20 minutes may not affect
average, healthy adults, but after 4 hours the same level may
cause headaches.
•
n exposure to 400 ppm of CO may cause headaches in average,
healthy adults after 35 minutes, but can cause death after 2 hours.
This CO larm 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 larm generally
sounds an alarm before the onset of symptoms in average, healthy
adults.
This CO larm is intended for residential use. It is not intended for
use in industrial applications where Occupational Safety and Health
dministration (OSH ) requirements for carbon monoxide detectors
must be met.
CO alarms may not waken all individuals. If children or others do not
readily waken to the sound of the CO alarm, or if there are infants or
family members with mobility limitations, make sure that someone is
assigned to assist them in the event of an emergency.
CO larms will not work without power. This CO larm requires a
continuous supply of C power. Plug into an unswitched 120V C outlet
only.
CO larms for Solar or Wind Energy users and battery backup
power systems: C powered CO larms should only be operated with
true or pure sine wave inverters. Operating this CO larm with most
battery-powered UPS (uninterruptible power supply) products or square
wave or "quasi sine wave" inverters will damage the larm. If you are
not sure about your inverter or UPS type, please consult with the manu-
facturer to verify.
This CO larm will not sense carbon monoxide that does not reach
the sensor. This CO larm will only sense CO at the sensor. CO may be
present in other areas. Doors or other obstructions may affect the rate
at which CO reaches the CO larm. For this reason, if bedroom doors
are usually closed at night, we recommend you install a CO larm in
each bedroom and in the hallway between them.
CO larms may not sense CO on another level of the home. For
example, a CO larm on the second level, near the bedrooms, may not
sense CO in the basement. For this reason, one CO larm may not give
adequate warning. Complete coverage is recommended. Place CO
larms on each level of the home.
PROBLEM...
Red light is OFF. Unit will not alarm when you
press the Test/Silence button.
The light flashes (RED) and the horn sounds 3
"chirps" every minute.
The light flashes (RED) and the horn sounds 5
"chirps" every minute.
CO larm goes back into alarm 4 minutes after
you press the Test/Silence button.
CO larm sounds frequently even though no high
levels of CO are revealed in an investigation.
REGULATORY INFORMATION FOR CO ALARMS
GENERAL LIMITATIONS OF CO ALARMS
TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE
THIS MEANS...
CO larms may not be plugged all the way in, or
is not receiving power.
M LFUNCTION SIGN L. CO larm needs to be
replaced.
END OF LIFE SIGN L. CO larm needs to be
replaced.
CO levels indicate a potentially dangerous
situation.
The CO larm may be improperly located.
Refer to "Where to Install CO larms."
5
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. lso, young children and pets may be the first
affected. The average healthy adult might not feel any symptoms when
the CO larm 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!
Standards: Underwriters Laboratories Inc. Single and Multiple Station
carbon monoxide alarms UL2034.
ccording to Underwriters Laboratories Inc. UL2034, Section 1-1.2:
"Carbon monoxide alarms covered by these requirements are intended
to respond to the presence of carbon monoxide from sources such as,
but not limited to, exhaust from internal-combustion engines, abnormal
operation of fuel-fired appliances, and fireplaces. CO larms are
intended to alarm at carbon monoxide levels below those that could
cause a loss of ability to react to the dangers of Carbon Monoxide
exposure." This CO larm monitors the air at the larm, and is designed
to alarm before CO levels become life threatening. This allows you
precious time to leave the house and correct the problem. This is only
possible if larms are located, installed, and maintained as described in
this manual.
Gas Detection at Typical Temperature and Humidity Ranges: The
CO larm is not formulated to detect CO levels below 30 ppm typically.
UL tested for false alarm resistance to Methane (500 ppm), Butane (300
ppm), Heptane (500 ppm), Ethyl cetate (200 ppm), Isopropyl lcohol
(200 ppm) and Carbon Dioxide (5000 ppm). Values measure gas and
vapor concentrations in parts per million.
udible larm: 85 dB minimum at 10 feet (3 meters).
CO larms may not be heard. The alarm horn loudness meets or
exceeds current UL standards of 85 dB at 10 feet (3 meters). However,
if the CO larm is installed outside the bedroom, it may not wake up a
sound sleeper or one who has recently used drugs or has been drinking
alcoholic beverages. This is especially true if the door is closed or only
partly open. Even persons who are awake may not hear the alarm horn
if the sound is blocked by distance or closed doors. Noise from traffic,
stereo, radio, television, air conditioner, or other appliances may also
prevent alert persons from hearing the alarm horn. This CO larm is
not intended for people who are hearing impaired.
CO larms are not a substitute for a smoke alarm. lthough fire is a
source of carbon monoxide, this CO larm does not sense smoke or
fire. This CO larm senses CO that may be escaping unnoticed from
malfunctioning furnaces, appliances, or other sources. Early warning of
fire requires the installation of smoke alarms.
CO larms are not a substitute for life insurance. Though these CO
larms warn against increasing CO levels, BRK Brands, Inc. does not
warrant or imply in any way that they will protect lives from CO poisoning.
Homeowners and renters must still insure their lives.
CO larms have a limited life. lthough the CO larm and all of its
parts have passed many stringent tests and are designed to be as
reliable as possible, any of these parts could fail at any time. Therefore,
you must test your CO larm weekly.
CO larms are not foolproof. Like all other electronic devices, CO
larms have limitations. They can only detect CO that reaches their
sensors. They may not give early warning to rising CO levels if the CO
is coming from a remote part of the home, away from the CO larm.
YOU SHOULD...
Gently push unit all the way into outlet. Make
sure it is not plugged into an outlet controlled by
a switch.
Make sure unit is plugged in securely.
CO larms under warranty should be returned
to manufacturer for replacement. See "Limited
Warranty" for details.
Immediately replace the CO larm.
IF YOU RE FEELING SYMPTOMS OF CO
POISONING, EV CU TE your home and call 911
or the Fire Department. If not, press the Test/
Silence button again and keep ventilating your
home.
Relocate your larm. If frequent alarms continue,
have home rechecked for potential CO problems.
You may be experiencing an intermittent CO
problem.
Check out the collection of RV appliances we offer.
Advertisement
