Part Three - What You Should Know Before The Alarm Sounds; Learn The Difference Between Dangerous Levels, High Levels, Mid Levels And Low Levels; Determine If Anyone In The Household Is At High Risk For Co Poisoning; Understand The Effects Of Carbon Monoxide Exposure - Kidde KN-COPP-3 User Manual

Part Three – What You Should Know Before the Alarm Sounds
Learn the difference between dangerous levels,
high levels, mid levels and low levels:
Dangerous levels, when someone is experiencing symptoms of
CO poisoning and CO readings are g g e e n n e e r r a a l l l l y y above 100 ppm.
Anytime someone is experiencing the symptoms of carbon monoxide poi-
soning this should be treated as an EMERGENCY. Follow the instructions
on page 4-1.
High levels, generally above 100 ppm, with no one experiencing
symptoms. This should be treated as an URGENT situation. Follow the
instructions on page 4-1.
Mid levels, generally between 50 ppm to 100 ppm. This should be
cause for CONCERN and should not be ignored or dismissed. Follow the
instructions on page 4-1.
Low levels, generally below 50 ppm. This indicates a need to watch the
situation closely to see if it resolves itself or worsens. Follow the instructions
on page 4-2.
Determine if anyone in the household is at high risk
for CO poisoning:
Many cases of reported carbon monoxide poisoning indicate that while vic-
tims are aware they are not well, they become so disoriented they are unable
to save themselves by either exiting the building or calling for assistance.
You should take extra precautions to protect high risk persons from CO

Understand the Effects of Carbon Monoxide Exposure:

Reminder: This chart relates to the exposure of healthy adults. Read the info above for descriptions of those who are at higher risk.
Concentration
of CO in Air
(ppm = parts per million)
50 ppm The maximum allowable concentration for continuous exposure for healthy adults
in any 8-hour period, according to OSHA*.
200 ppm Slight headache, fatigue, dizziness, nausea after 2-3 hours.
400 ppm Frontal headaches within 1-2 hours, life threatening after 3 hours.
800 ppm Dizziness, nausea and convulsions within 45 minutes. Unconsciousness within
2 hours. Death within 2-3 hours.
1,600 ppm
Headache, dizziness and nausea within 20 minutes. Death within 1 hour.
3,200 ppm
Headache, dizziness and nausea within 5-10 minutes. Death within 25-30 minutes.
6,400 ppm
Headache, dizziness and nausea within 1-2 minutes. Death within 10-15 minutes.
12,800 ppm
Death within 1-3 minutes.
exposure because they may experience ill effects from carbon monoxide at lev-
els that would not ordinarily affect a healthy adult.
Are there any infants or small children in the home? Be sure to check them
for signs of possible CO poisoning because they might have trouble explain-
ing their symptoms. Infants and children are more susceptible to CO poi-
soning than a healthy adult.
Pregnant women should be aware that their unborn fetus could be harmed
by exposure to carbon monoxide, even when the mother suffers no ill effect
herself. Any pregnant woman who suspects she may have been exposed to
carbon monoxide should immediately contact her physician.
Is there anyone in the household who is elderly, or who has anemia, heart dis-
ease or respiratory problems, emphysema or chronic bronchitis? These indi-
viduals are at higher risk for CO poisoning and for health problems from
exposure to low levels of carbon monoxide.
If anyone in the household is at high risk for CO poisoning, we urge you to
take extra precaution to prevent possible poisoning. If the unit alarms or if
CO readings are shown on the digital display, remove the at-risk person from
the premises, if possible. Ventilate the area. The high-risk person(s) should
not re-enter the residence until the source of the CO problem has been iden-
tified and corrected.
Approximate Inhalation Time and Symptoms Developed
3-1
* Occupational Safety and Health Administration