family first FFCM9VH Product Manual

CARBON MONOXIDE ALARM
FFCM9VH
PRODUCT MANUAL
Family First Carbon Monoxide Alarm with
test and hush button, operated by a 9 volt battery.
Conforms to standard EN50291:2001.
THIS UNIT IS NOT A SMOKE ALARM
SPECIFICATIONS
Detection type Electrochemical
Power source 9V DC battery
Standby current <10uA
Alarm current <10mA
Alarm level (ppm)* 50ppm – in 60-90 minutes
100ppm – in 10-40 minutes
300ppm – within 3 minutes
(*ppm = parts per million)
Alarm sound level 85 decibels at 3 metres
Operation temperature 0°C to 49°C
Ambient humidity 30% to 90% relative humidity
Compliant to standard EN50291:2001
FEATURES
 DC-operated carbon monoxide alarm
 Test and hush button
 Quick-fix mounting bracket for easy installation
 LED operation indicator
 Low-battery warning indicator
 Auto-reset after the carbon monoxide is clear
INFORMATION ABOUT CARBON
MONOXIDE
Carbon monoxide is a colourless, odourless and tasteless
poisonous gas that can be fatal when inhaled. CO binds to the
hemoglobin in the blood and inhibits its capacity to carry
oxygen. It is difficult to be detected with the human senses.
In high concentrations, CO can kill in minutes.
Sources of carbon monoxide
Inside your home, appliances used for heating and cooking
are the most likely sources of CO. Vehicles running in
attached garages can also produce dangerous levels of CO.
CO can be produced when burning any fossil fuel, such as
gasoline, propane, natural gas, oil and wood. It can be
produced by any fuel-burning appliance that is malfunctioning,
improperly installed, or not ventilated correctly, such as:
 Automobiles, furnaces, gas ranges/stoves, gas clothes
dryers, water heaters, portable fuel burning space heaters
and generators, fireplaces, wood-burning stoves and
certain swimming pool heaters.
 Blocked chimneys or flues, back drafts and changes in air
pressure, corroded or disconnected vent pipes, loose or
cracked furnace exchangers.
 Vehicles and other combustion engines running in an open
or closed garage, attached or near a home.
 Burning charcoal or fuel in grills and hibachis in an
enclosed area.
Conditions that can result in transient carbon monoxide
situation in the home
 Excessive spillage or reverse venting of fuel-burning
appliances caused by outdoor ambient conditions, such as
wind direction and/or velocity, including high gusts of wind,
heavy air in the vent pipes (cold/humid air with extended
periods between cycles).
 Negative pressure resulting from the use of exhaust fans.
 Simultaneous operation of several fuel-burning appliances
competing for limited internal 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.
 Extended operation of unvented fuel-burning devices
(range, oven, fireplace, etc.).
 Temperature inversions which can trap exhaust gases near
the ground.
 Vehicle idling in an open or closed garage, or near a home.
Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning
To be safe, know the possible sources of CO in your home.
Keep fuel-burning appliances and their chimneys and vents in
good working condition. Learn the early symptoms of
exposure, and if you suspect CO poisoning, move outside to
fresh air and get emergency help. Your first line of defence is
installing CO alarms and having an annual inspection and
regular maintenance of your appliances. Contact a licensed
contractor or call your local utility company for assistance.
35ppm: The maximum allowable concentration for continuous
exposure for healthy adults in any 8 hour period.
200ppm: Slight headaches, fatigue, dizziness, nausea after
2-3 hours.
400ppm: Frontal headaches within 1-2 hours, life-threatening
after 3 hours.
800ppm: Dizziness, nausea and convulsions within 45 minutes,
unconsciousness within 2 hours and death within 3 hours.
1600 ppm: Headache, dizziness and nausea within 20
minutes and death within 1 hour.
6400 ppm: Headache dizziness and nausea within 1-2 minutes.
The following symptoms are related to carbon monoxide
poisoning and should be discussed with all members of your
household:
Mild exposure: Slight headache, nausea, vomiting and
fatigue – often described as 'flu-like' symptoms.
Medium exposure: Severe throbbing headache, drowsiness,
confusion and fast heart rate.
Extreme exposure: Unconsciousness, convulsions, cardio
respiratory failure and death.
Many cases of reported carbon monoxide poisoning indicate
that, while victims are aware they are not well, they become
so disoriented that they are unable to save themselves by
either exiting the building or calling for assistance. Young
children and household pets are typically the first affected.
Important safeguards
The installation of your CO alarms is only one step in your
safety plan. Educate yourself and your family to the sources
and symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning and how to use
the CO alarms:
 Test them weekly by only pressing the test button.
 Replace battery yearly and immediately once depleted.
 Buy appliances accepted by a recognized testing laboratory.
 Install the appliances properly, following the manufacturer's
instructions.
 Have installations performed by professionals.
 Have your appliances checked regularly by a qualified
service technician.
 Clean chimneys and flues yearly.
 Make regular visual inspections of all fuel-burning
appliances.
 Check appliances for excessive rust and scaling.
 Open windows when a fireplace or wood-burning stove is
in use.
 Be aware of carbon monoxide poisoning symptoms.
For your safety, do not:
 Burn charcoal inside your home, RV, camper, tent or cabin.
 Install, convert or service fuel burning appliances without
proper knowledge, skill and expertise.
 Use a gas range, oven or clothes dryer for heating.
 Operate unvented gas burning appliances using kerosene
or natural gas in closed room.
 Operate gasoline-powered engines indoors or in confined
areas.
 Ignore a safety device when it shuts an appliance.
 Ignore any warning from your CO alarms.
 Barbecue indoors or in an attached garage.
Register for free test reminders: www.testalarm.com.au
CARBON MONOXIDE ALARM
PLACEMENT
As carbon monoxide is of similar density to air and mixes and
moves with it, the optimum placement of a carbon monoxide
alarm is on a wall. If fitted to a wall, it should be at least
1.5 metres above the floor level, and at least 1.85 metres from
fuel-burning appliances to ensure maximum effectiveness.
Typical single-storey home
For minimum protection, you should fit a CO alarm in the
bedrooms or in the hallway of sleeping areas. Place it as near
to sleeping areas as possible, and ensure the CO alarms are
audible when bedrooms are occupied.
BEDROOM
KITCHEN
BEDROOM
SINGLE-STOREY RESIDENCE, APARTMENT, MOBILE HOME
Typical multi-storey or split level home
For minimum protection, fit at least one CO alarm on each
floor, especally in hallways and as near to sleeping areas as
possible, and ensure the CO alarms are audible when
bedrooms are occupied.
BEDROOM HALL
LIVING ROOM
BASEMENT
MULTI-STOREY RESIDENCE
Minimum required CO alarm locations
Recommended additional CO alarm locations
NOTE: For maximum protection, CO alarms should be fitted
in or near every room that contains a fuel-burning appliance
such as any central heating boilers, gas fires, room heaters,
water heaters, cookers, grills, etc.
CAUTION: CO alarms can only sense carbon monoxide that
reaches the unit's sensor. It's possible that CO may be
present in other areas without reaching the CO alarm. This
CO alarm is designed to detect carbon monoxide gas from
ANY source of combustion. It is NOT designed to detect
smoke, fire or any other gas.
Where not to install carbon monoxide alarms
Improper location can affect the sensitive electronic
components in this CO alarm. To avoid causing damage to
the unit, provide optimum performance, and prevent
unnecessary nuisance alarms:
1. The CO alarms are not to be located within 1.5 metres of
any cooking appliance.
2. Situations where the temperature may fall below 0°C or
rise above 49°C, or where humidity may fall below 30% or
rise above 90%.
3. In damp or humid areas such as near bathrooms or in
shower areas.
4. Any area where high levels of dusty, dirty or greasy
emissions could contaminate or clog the sensor.
5. Behind drapes or furniture.
6. In the path of air discharged from a furnace,
air-conditioning vent or ceiling fan.
7. Outside the building.
8. Directly above a sink or cooker.
WARNING: This CO alarm is designed for indoor use only.
DO NOT expose to rain or moisture. It will not protect against
the risk of CO poisoning when the battery has drained or been
removed. DO NOT open or tamper with the CO alarm as this
could cause malfunction.
DINING ROOM
LIVING ROOM
BEDROOM
KITCHEN