What Is Carbon Monoxide - Kidde 4MCO User Manual

2512-7220-03_v4:_ 2016.1.14

2. What is Carbon Monoxide?

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a highly poisonous gas with no taste, colour or smell.
Poten al Sources of CO
•
Wood-burning stoves
•
Gas boilers and fires
•
Gas Hobs
•
Oil and coal burning appliances
•
Portable gas heaters
•
Blocked flues and chimneys
•
Fumes from integral garages
•
Barbecues
•
High concentra ons of tobacco smoke
Carbon monoxide is a cumula ve poison. Longterm exposure to low levels may cause symptoms. This Kidde
alarm is me-weighted – the higher the level of CO, the sooner it will alarm.
NOTE: The apparatus may respond to brief exhaust gas emissions, for example during the ini al start-up of an
appliance. Also, hydrogen acts as an interferent and can arise from some ba ery charging ac vi es and the
curing of concrete or cement under certain circumstances. Vola le Organic Compounds (VOCs), e.g. alcohols,
which may eventually ac vate the alarm, can be generated from use of damp-proofing materials or other coat-
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ings containing alkylalkoxysilanes.
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This CO alarm is not a subs tute for the correct maintenance of your
appliances.
Carbon monoxide can be produced from poorly burning appliances
or from blocked flues and chimneys.
If your alarm has sounded and you have ven lated the room the CO
may have dispersed before help arrives. It is crucial that the source
of CO is determined and appropriate maintenance carried out.