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Thank you for choosing BRK Brands, Inc. for your Carbon Monoxide Alarm needs. You have purchased a state-of-the-art Carbon Monoxide Alarm designed to provide you with early warning of carbon monoxide.
Key features include:
Most Accurate Carbon Monoxide Sensor*
Advanced electrochemical CO sensor technology.
Intelligent Sensing Technology is designed to help reduce unwanted or nuisance alarms.
Two Silence Features.
Temporarily silence low battery chirp for up to eight hours before replacing low battery or silence an unwanted alarm for several minutes.
Two Latching Features.
Alarm Latch: Easily identifies initiating alarm even after alarm condition has subsided. Low Battery Latch: Identifies which unit is in low battery condition.
Smart Interconnect interconnects with most First Alert® and BRK branded smoke, CO and heat alarms. When interconnected with alarming smoke alarms, unit will sound smoke horn pattern.
Dust Cover is included to keep the alarm clean during construction.
Easy Installation/Maintenance features include a large opening in the mounting bracket for easy access to wiring. A battery pull tab keeps the battery fresh until the home is occupied. A Side Load Battery Drawer allows for easy battery replacement without removing the alarm from the ceiling or wall.
End of Life Signal. Provides audible and visual confirmation alarm needs to be replaced.
WITH BATTERY BACK-UP
Model CO5120BN
WITH BATTERY BACK-UP AND DIGITAL DISPLAY
Model CO5120PDBN
PLEASE READ CAREFULLY AND SAVE.
This user's manual contains important information about your CO larm's operation. If you are installing this CO larm for use by others, you must leave this manual—or a copy of it—with the end user.
The Cover Of Your CO Alarm
Condition | LED (Red Light) | Horn |
POWER UP | On continuously with AC Flash a minute with battery | Silent |
DURING TESTING | LED flashes approximating the horn pattern. | Horn pattern: 4 beeps, pause, 4 beeps, pause |
LOW OR MISSING BATTERY | Low battery Latch Pattern | Horn "chirps" once a minute |
ALARM CONDITION Single CO Alarm (Stand alone Alarm) | LED flashes approximating the horn pattern. | Horn pattern: 4 beeps, pause, 4 beeps, pause, repeating |
ALARM CONDITION (Interconnected Series of CO Alarms) | LED flashes rapidly on the unit(s) that triggered the alarm. LEDs on the other Alarms in the series will not flash | Horn pattern: 4 beeps, pause, repeating on all CO Alarms |
ALARM SILENCE | LED flashes approximating the horn pattern. | Horn stays quiet for 4 minutes |
LOW BATTERY SILENCE | LED flashing approximately every minute | Horn is Silent for up to 8 hours. |
ALARM LATCH | Audio Off and LED flashing 2 seconds On, 2 seconds Off after local alarm unless reset by Test/Silence button. | Horn is Silent |
LOW BATTERY LATCH | LED flashing 4 seconds On, 2 seconds Off. | Horn is Silent |
NOTE: Latching features are not active during battery backup mode operation | ||
MALFUNCTION | LED flashes 3 times synchronized with 3 chirps | Horn sounds 3 chirps every minute |
END OF LIFE | LED flashes 5 times synchronized with 5 chirps | Horn sounds 5 chirps every minute |
When the AC power is Off, if the battery is dead or missing, the CO Alarm cannot work. |
Alarm operating on AC power
Alarm operating on emergency battery back-up
Low / missing battery warning
Alarm, Low Battery or End of Life silence
Malfunction – Replace Alarm
End of Life – Replace Alarm
Levels of CO shown in ppm if present.
During Testing, the display flashes "30, 70, 150, 400" briefly.
During initial power up display flashes "888" briefly.
USING THE PEAK CO MEMORY
The CO Memory Feature lets you check the highest level of CO recorded during an alarm.
To check CO Memory:
To clear CO Memory:
NOTE: The highest CO level will be saved for 24 hours. DO NOT clear the CO Memory reading if you plan to call someone to investigate a CO problem! Clear the CO Memory reading only after the investigator has checked your home. If the investigator will not arrive within the 24 hour time period before the unit automatically resets, be sure to write down the peak level.
This CO Alarm includes "Smart Interconnect" which enables the Alarm to be interconnected with other BRK Smoke and CO Alarms. When interconnected to Smoke Alarms that go into alarm, this CO Alarm will sound the smoke horn pattern.
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends that a CO Alarm should be centrally located outside of each separate sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of the bedrooms. For added protection, install additional CO Alarms in each separate bedroom, and on every level of your home.
If your bedroom hallway is longer than 40 feet (12 meters), install a CO Alarm at BOTH ends of the hallway.
REQUIRED TO MEET NFPA RECOMMENDATIONS
SUGGESTED AREAS FOR INSTALLING ADDITIONAL CO ALARMS
In a Single-level Home:
In a Multi-level Home—(same as above plus):
DO NOT locate this CO Alarm:
This unit is designed to be mounted on any standard wiring junction box up to a 4-inch (10 cm) size, on either the ceiling or wall. Read "Where to Install CO Alarms" and "Where Not To Install CO Alarms" before you begin installation.
Find the pair of self-adhesive labels included with this CO Alarm.
NOTE: A qualified appliance technician is defined as "a person, firm, corporation, or company that either in person or through a representative, is engaged in and responsible for the installation, testing, servicing, or replacement of heating, ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC) equipment, combustion appliances and equipment, and/or gas fireplaces or other decorative combustion equipment."
*Not Included
Tools you will need: Standard Flathead screwdriver.
ELECTRICAL SHOCK HAZARD. Turn off power to the area where you will install this unit at the circuit breaker or fuse box before beginning installation. Failure to turn off the power before installation may result in serious electrical shock, injury or death.
To install this unit:
Improper wiring of the power connector or the wiring leading to the power connector will cause damage to the Alarm and may lead to a non-functioning Alarm.
STAND ALONE ALARM ONLY:
INTERCONNECTED ALARMS ONLY:
Strip off about 1/2" of the plastic coating on the orange interconnect wire on the power connector.
STAND ALONE ALARM ONLY:
INTERCONNECTED ALARMS ONLY:
ELECTRICAL SHOCK HAZARD. Do not restore power until all larms are completely installed. Restoring power before installation is complete may result in serious electrical shock, injury or death.
If any unit in the series does not alarm during testing, TURN OFF POWER and recheck connections. If it does not alarm when you restore power, replace it immediately.
Interconnected units can provide earlier warning of a CO problem than standalone units, especially if the problem starts in a remote area of the dwelling. If any unit in the series senses CO, all CO and Smart Interconnect units will alarm. To determine which CO Alarm initiated an alarm, refer to the table.
On Initiating CO Alarm | Red LED Flashes the alarm pattern |
On All Other CO Alarms | Red LED Does Not Flash the alarm pattern |
Interconnect units within a single family residence only. Otherwise all households will experience unwanted alarms when you test any unit in the series. Interconnected units will only work if they are wired to compatible units and all requirements are met. This unit is designed to be compatible with: BRK Electronics® and First Alert® Models 7010, 7010B, 7020B, SC7010B, SA520B, 9120, 9120B, SC9120B, 100S, SL177, SC7010BV, CO5120BN, CO5120PDBN, HD6135F, HD6135FB.
Interconnected units must meet ALL of the following requirements:
The optional locking features are designed to prevent unauthorized removal of the battery or alarm. It is not necessary to activate the locks in single-family households where unauthorized battery or alarm removal is not a concern.
These CO larms have two separate locking features: one locks the battery compartment, and the other locks the CO larm to the mounting bracket. You can choose to use either feature independently, or use them both.
Tools you will need:
Both locking features use locking pins, molded into the mounting bracket. Using needle nose pliers remove one or both pins, depending on which locking features you use.
TO LOCK THE BATTERY COMPARTMENT:
Do not lock the battery compartment until you have activated the battery and tested the battery back-up.
TO UNLOCK THE BATTERY COMPARTMENT:
Once the CO larm is installed, you must disconnect it from the C power before unlocking the battery compartment.
ELECTRICAL SHOCK HAZARD. Turn off the power to the area where the CO larm is installed before removing it from the mounting bracket. Failure to turn off the power first may result in serious electrical shock, injury or death.
When replacing the battery, always test the CO Alarm before relocking the battery compartment.
Tools you will need:
TO ACTIVATE THE BRACKET LOCK:
TO DEACTIVATE THE BRACKET LOCK:
ELECTRICAL SHOCK HAZARD. Turn off the power to the area where the CO larm is installed before removing it from the mounting bracket. Failure to turn off the power first may result in serious electrical shock, injury or death.
Always discharge the branch circuit before servicing an AC or AC/DC CO larm. First, turn off the AC power at the circuit breaker or fuse box. Next, remove the battery from larms with battery back-up. Finally, press and hold the test button.
TO PERMANENTLY REMOVE THE BRACKET LOCK:
Insert the flathead screwdriver between the locking pin and the lock, and pry the pin out of the lock.
Actuation of your CO Alarm indicates the presence of carbon monoxide (CO) which can kill you. When your CO Alarm sounds, you must not ignore it!
IF THE ALARM SOUNDS:
Alarms have various limitations. See "General Limitations of CO Alarms" for details.
NEVER disconnect the power to your CO Alarm to silence the horn— use the silence feature. Disconnecting the CO Alarm removes your protection! See previous page for details on responding to an alarm.
The Silence Feature is intended to temporarily silence your CO Alarm's alarm horn while you correct the problem—it will not correct a CO problem. While the Alarm is silenced, it will continue to monitor the air for CO. When CO reaches alarm level, the unit will sound— repeating horn pattern: 4 beeps, a pause, 4 beeps, etc. Press and hold the Test/Silence button until the horn is silent. The Silence cycle will last approximately 4 minutes.
To silence an interconnected series of Alarms, you must press the Test/ Silence button on the initiating alarm (the unit with the flashing red light). If you press the Test/Silence on any other Alarm, it will only silence that unit, not the whole interconnected series.
NOTE: After the 4-minute silence cycle, the CO Alarm re-evaluates present CO levels and responds accordingly. If CO levels remain potentially dangerous—or start rising higher—the horn will start sounding again.
While the CO Alarm is silenced:
If the CO Alarm...is silent for only 4 minutes, then starts sounding loudly—4 beeps, then a pause, 4 beeps, then a pause. Red light (LED) continues flashing...
This means...CO levels are still potentially dangerous.
If the CO Alarm...remains silent....
This means...unit has returned to normal operation.
This silence feature can temporarily quiet the low battery warning "chirp" for up to 8 hours if AC power is present. Press the Test/Silence button on the alarm cover. Once the low battery warning "chirp" silence feature is activated, the unit continues to flash the red light once a minute for 8 hours. After 8 hours, the low battery "chirp" will resume. Replace the battery as soon as possible, to maintain protection in the event of a power outage.
This silence feature can temporarily quiet the End of Life warning "chirp" for up to 2 days. You can silence the End of Life warning "chirp" by pressing the Test/Silence button. The horn will chirp, acknowledging that the End of Life silence feature has been activated.
After approximately 2 days, the End of Life "chirp" will resume.
After approximately 2-3 weeks the End of Life warning cannot be silenced.
Alarm Latch is activated after an Alarm is exposed to alarm levels of carbon monoxide. This feature will only work with AC power. After CO levels drop below alarm levels, the Red LED will begin to flash On for 2 seconds and Off for 2 seconds. It will continue to flash or "latch" until you clear it by testing the Alarm.
This feature helps emergency responders, investigators, or service technicians identify which unit(s) in your home were exposed to alarm levels of carbon monoxide. This can help investigators pinpoint the source of CO.
Interconnected Alarms. Latching Alarm Indicator shows which Alarm(s) in the series were exposed to alarm levels of carbon monoxide.
The Latching Alarm Indicator stays ON until you clear it, so it can alert you to a CO Alarm that occurred while you were away from home, even though CO present in the air has dropped below alarm levels.
Low Battery Latch is activated when the Alarm is in the "low battery condition". When this occurs, the red LED flashes 4 seconds On/2 seconds Off. This feature is designed to help you identify which Alarm needs to have the battery replaced. Although, the Alarm will sound the low battery chirp approximately once every minute, sometimes during the initial stages of "low battery", the Alarm will chirp in greater intervals than one minute, sometimes up to several hours, until the battery reaches a steady low battery level. This innovative feature eliminates the frustration of waiting for and/or identifying which unit is chirping.
Push and hold the Test/Silence button until you hear an acknowledge chirp and a loud alarm sounds — 4 beeps, pause, 4 beeps. This sequence should last for 10 seconds. If the Alarm ever fails to test properly, replace it immediately.
To keep the CO Alarm working properly:
The Low (or Missing) Battery Warning (CO5120PDBN):
The horn will "chirp" once a minute and the word "bat" will flash on and off on the display.
Choosing a replacement battery: This unit requires one standard 9V alkaline battery. The following alkaline batteries are acceptable as replacements:
Duracell MN1604, Energizer 522, Ultralife U9VL-J, and Ultralife U9VL-J-P.
These replacement batteries are commonly available at local retail stores.
WHAT IS CO?
CO is an invisible, odorless, tasteless gas produced when fossil fuels do not burn completely, or are exposed to heat (usually fire). Electrical appliances typically do not produce CO.
These fuels include: Wood, coal, charcoal, oil, natural gas, gasoline, kerosene, and propane.
Common appliances are often sources of CO.
If they are not properly maintained, are improperly ventilated, or malfunction, CO levels can rise quickly. CO is a real danger now that homes are more energy efficient. "Air-tight" homes with added insulation, sealed windows, and other weatherproofing can "trap" CO inside.
These symptoms are related to CO POISONING and should be discussed with ALL household members.
Mild Exposure: Slight headache, nausea, vomiting, fatigue ("flu-like" symptoms).
Medium Exposure: Throbbing headache, drowsiness, confusion, fast heart rate.
Extreme Exposure: Convulsions, unconsciousness, heart and lung failure. Exposure to Carbon Monoxide can cause brain damage, death.
This CO Alarm 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 Alarm generally sounds an alarm before the onset of symptoms in average, healthy adults.
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. Also, young children and pets may be the first affected. The average healthy adult might not feel any symptoms when the CO Alarm 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!
Carbon monoxide is an odorless, invisible gas, which often makes it difficult to locate the source of CO after an alarm. These are a few of the factors that can make it difficult to locate sources of CO:
Because CO may dissipate by the time an investigator arrives, it may be difficult to locate the source of CO. BRK Brands, Inc. shall not be obligated to pay for any carbon monoxide investigation or service call.
Fuel-burning appliances like:
portable heater, gas or wood burning fireplace, gas kitchen range or cooktop, gas clothes dryer.
Damaged or insufficient venting:
corroded or disconnected water heater vent pipe, leaking chimney pipe or flue, or cracked heat exchanger, blocked or clogged chimney opening.
Improper use of appliance/ device:
operating a barbecue grill or vehicle in an enclosed area (like a garage or screened porch).
Transient CO Problems:
"transient" or on-again-off-again CO problems can be caused by outdoor conditions and other special circumstances.
The following conditions can result in transient CO situations:
These conditions are dangerous because they can trap exhaust in your home. Since these conditions can come and go, they are also hard to recreate during a CO investigation.
A CO Alarm is an excellent means of protection. It monitors the air and sounds a loud alarm before carbon monoxide levels become threatening for average, healthy adults.
A CO Alarm is not a substitute for proper maintenance of home appliances.
To help prevent CO problems and reduce the risk of CO poisoning:
WHAT LEVELS OF CO CAUSE AN ALARM?
Underwriters Laboratories Inc. Standard UL2034 requires residential CO Alarms to sound when exposed to levels of CO and exposure times as described below. They are measured in parts per million (ppm) of CO over time (in minutes).
UL2034 Required Alarm Points*:
* Approximately 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 Alarms are designed to alarm before there is an immediate life threat. Since you cannot see or smell CO, never assume it's not present.
Standards: Underwriters Laboratories Inc. Single and Multiple Station carbon monoxide alarms UL2034.
According 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 Alarms 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 Alarm monitors the air at the Alarm, 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 Alarms are located, installed, and maintained as described in this manual.
Gas Detection at Typical Temperature and Humidity Ranges: The CO Alarm 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 Acetate (200 ppm), Isopropyl Alcohol (200 ppm) and Carbon Dioxide (5000 ppm). Values measure gas and vapor concentrations in parts per million.
Audible Alarm: 85 dB minimum at 10 feet (3 meters).
This CO Alarm is intended for residential use. It is not intended for use in industrial applications where Occupational Safety and Health Administration (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 Alarms will not work without power. This CO Alarm requires a continuous supply of AC power, and a fresh, correctly installed 9V battery to power the battery back-up. The battery back-up is for emergency use only!
CO Alarms for Solar or Wind Energy users and battery backup power systems: AC powered CO Alarms should only be operated with true or pure sine wave inverters. Operating this CO Alarm with most battery-powered UPS (uninterruptible power supply) products or square wave or "quasi sine wave" inverters will damage the Alarm. If you are not sure about your inverter or UPS type, please consult with the manufacturer to verify.
This CO Alarm will not sense carbon monoxide that does not reach the sensor. This CO Alarm 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 Alarm. 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 Alarms may not sense CO on another level of the home. For example, a CO Alarm on the second level, near the bedrooms, may not sense CO in the basement. For this reason, one CO Alarm may not give adequate warning. Complete coverage is recommended. Place CO Alarms on each level of the home.
CO Alarms 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 Alarm 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 Alarms are not a substitute for a smoke alarm. Although fire is a source of carbon monoxide, this CO Alarm 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 Alarms are not a substitute for life insurance. Though these CO Alarms 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 Alarms have a limited life. Although the CO Alarm and all of its parts ahve 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 Alarms are not foolproof. Like all other electronic devices, CO Alarms 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.
ELECTRICAL SHOCK HAZARD. Turn off the power to the area where the CO Alarm is installed BEFORE removing it from the mounting bracket or checking any electrical connections! Failure to turn off the power first may result in serious electrical shock, injury or death.
The following guide can help you identify a potential problem with the installation or operation of your CO Alarm. NOTE: It is not meant to be an all-inclusive list of all CO Alarm conditions. If you are experiencing a condition not covered in the next several pages, please contact Consumer ffairs.
Problem... | If the Alarm.. | You should... |
Red light is OFF. Unit will not alarm when you press the Test/Silence button. | Unit may not be receiving any power. | Check the AC power supply. Make sure the power connector is securely attached to the Alarm. Make sure a fresh 9V battery is installed to power the battery back-up. |
Red light flashes once a minute (horn is silent). (CO5120PDBN display reads "bat"). | Alarm is not receiving AC power. | Unit is operating on DC battery back-up. Check the C power supply. |
The red light flashes and the horn "chirps" once a minute. (CO5120PDBN display flashes "bat"). | Low battery warning. | Replace the 9V battery in the battery back-up. Disconnect AC power before changing the battery. |
Once a minute, the alarm sounds 3 "chirps", and the red light flashes three times. (CO5120PDBN display reads "Err"). | MALFUNCTION SIGNAL. Based on its Self Test diagnostics, the unit has detected a malfunction. The unit needs to be replaced. | Make sure a fresh 9V battery is installed. If unit still isn't functioning– REPLACE IT. Units under warranty should be returned to manufacturer for replacement. |
The light flashes (Red) and the horn sounds 5 "chirps" every minute. (CO5120PDBN display reads "End"). | END OF LIFE SIGNAL. CO Alarm needs to be replaced. | Immediately replace the CO Alarm. |
CO Alarm goes back into alarm 4 minutes after you press the Test/Silence button. | CO levels are still potentially dangerous. | Refer to "If Your CO Alarm Sounds" for details on how to respond to an alarm. If anyone is feeling ill, EVACUATE your home immediately and call 911. |
CO Alarm sounds frequently even though no high levels of CO are revealed in an investigation. | The CO Alarm may be improperly located. Refer to "Where to Install CO larms." | Relocate your larm. If frequent alarms continue, have home rechecked for potential CO problems. You may be experiencing an intermittent CO problem. |
© 2012 BRK Brands, Inc. All rights reserved.
Distributed by BRK Brands, Inc.
3901 Liberty Street Road, Aurora, IL 60504-8122
Consumer Affairs: (800) 323-9005
Here you can download full pdf version of manual, it may contain additional safety instructions, warranty information, FCC rules, etc.
Download First Alert CO5120BN, CO5120PDBN - Ac Powered Carbon Monoxide Alarm Manual
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