How To Know If Your Co Alarm Is Malfunctioning - Kidde KN-COPP-3 User Manual

Part One – Your Kidde CO Alarm
How to Test Your Alarm (continued)
NOTE: Pressing the Test/Reset button tests the functions of the
alarm's internal components, circuitry and micro-computer. YOU DO
NOT NEED TO PRESS THE TEST BUTTON TO TAKE A CO
READING. CO readings are automatically shown on the alarm's digi-
tal display. If the alarm shows zero (0), then no measurable amount of
CO has been sensed by the alarm within the past 15 seconds.
Testing the sensor response
While it is not required, on occasion you may wish to observe and
become familiar with your alarm's response in the actual presence of car-
bon monoxide. The best and safest way to do this is with either a ciga-
rette or an incense stick. To perform this test you will need: your alarm,
matches or a butane lighter, an ashtray, and either a cigarette or an incense
stick.
CAUTION: Please refer to the "Frequently Asked Questions"
section for warnings on how NOT to test the sensor response.
WARNING: This test should be done by adults only. Children should
be warned never to light matches or butane lighters. Please use caution
when performing the test described below. Avoid burns from flame or
hot materials. Avoid inhaling excessive smoke from the cigarette or
incense stick. Extinguish all flames and properly discard all hot materials.
Step 1. With a match or a lighter, light a single cigarette or incense stick.
Extinguish the match or lighter. Make sure an
ashtray is available to discard ashes, matches and the burned
cigarette or incense stick.
Step 2. Hold the smoldering cigarette or incense stick 12 - 15 inches
directly below the bottom air vents of the CO alarm, making sure the
stream of smoke rises into the vents.
Step 3. Continue holding the cigarette or incense stick directly below the
alarm for 3 - 5 minutes. Note: Do not hold the cigarette or incense stick
closer than 12 inches to the alarm as smoke will cause a yellow stain to
develop on the alarm's outer case.
Step 4. If your unit alarms, you can silence it by pressing Test/Reset but-
ton and removing the source of CO.
Step 5. Extinguish the cigarette or incense stick by pressing the smolder-
ing tip into the ashtray.
How to Know If Your Alarm is Malfunctioning
Your alarm performs an internal self-diagnosis every 15 seconds to make
sure that it is functioning properly. The alarm is designed to alert you in the
unusual event of a malfunction.
If the alarm malfunctions.
In the rare event that your alarm malfunctions, it will alert you with one of
these signal groups (depending upon the type of
malfunction that occurs):
Malfunction Signal Group 1 - Component Failure
– An intermittent "chirping" alarm will sound every 20 secs., and
– An "Err" message will appear on the digital display
Malfunction Signal Group 2 - Microprocessor Failure
– The alarm will sound continuously, and
– The digital display will be blank, and
– The alarm cannot be shut off by pushing "Test/Reset" button
Unplug the alarm immediately and return for warranty exchange (see
"Warranty" on back page).
Low Battery Warning
If the 9V battery is missing, or if the battery' s power is low, an "Lb" message
will display which blink' s alternately with the current CO reading every sec-
ond. If this happens, you need to replace the battery. Refer to page 1-5 for
more on low battery warnings.
What to do if you're not sure...
PLEASE familiarize yourself with the malfunction alert, and do not con-
fuse these signals with an alarm. After reading the information above, if
you are still unsure whether your alarm is operating properly, call the
KIDDE toll-free consumer hotline at 800-581-6742 to do a quick diag-
nostic check of the alarm over the phone. The customer service represen-
tative will be able to assist you and answer your questions.
If your alarm sounder is beeping, and you are not sure if it is a CO alarm
or a malfunction alert, reset the alarm, open windows for ventilation, turn
off fuel-burning appliances (like kerosene or oil heaters, furnaces, gas
ranges, wood-burning stoves, water heaters, or other fossil-fuel burning
appliances). For furnaces, you can simply turn down the thermostat to its
lowest setting. Open windows and doors for ventilation. Then call the
KIDDE toll-free consumer hotline at 800-581-6742 for assistance.
Remember, if you call a qualified technician (such as a licensed heating con-
tractor, utility service technician, chimney sweep or fuel provider) to check
your residence for CO, you will most likely be charged for a service call.
KIDDE customer service operators are available to answer your questions
and assist you in non-emergency situations at no charge.
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