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Information about carbon monoxide
Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless poison gas
that can be fatal when inhaled. CO inhibits the blood's capacity to
carry oxygen.
Periodically review this alarm manual and discuss your CO alarm
emergency procedure with all members of your family. Never
ignore a CO alarm. A true alarm is an indication of potentially
dangerous levels of CO. CO alarms are designed to alert you to the
presence of CO before an emergency - before most people would
experience symptoms of CO poisoning, giving you time to resolve
the problem calmly.
Determine if anyone in the household is experiencing symptoms
of CO poisoning. Many cases of reported CO poisoning indicate
that while victims are aware they are not well, they become so
disoriented they are unable to save themselves either by exiting
the building or calling for assistance. Also, young children and
household pets may be the first affected. You should take extra
precautions to protect high-risk persons from CO exposure
because they may experience ill effects from CO at levels that
would not ordinarily affect a healthy adult.
Symptoms of CO poisoning
The following common symptoms are related to CO poisoning and
should be discussed with ALL members of the household:
•
Mild exposure = Slight headache, nausea, vomiting, fatigue
(often described as "flu-like" symptoms).
•
Medium exposure = Severe throbbing headache, drowsiness,
confusion, fast heart rate.
•
Extreme exposure = Unconsciousness, convulsions, cardio-
respiratory failure, death.
If you experience even mild symptoms of CO poisoning, consult
your doctor immediately.
Conditions that can produce carbon monoxide
•
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 differential resulting from the use of
exhaust fans.
•
Simultaneous operation of several fuel burning
appliances competing for limited internal air.
•
Vent pipe connection vibrating loose from clothes dryers,
furnaces, or water heaters.
•
Obstructions in or unconventional vent pipe designs
which amplify the above situations.
•
Extended operation of unvented fuel burning devices (range,
oven, fireplace, etc.).
•
Temperature inversions which can trap exhaust gasses near
the ground.
6 / 8
•
Car idling in an open or closed attached garage, or near a
home.
What CO alarms can and cannot do
CO alarms provide early warning of the presence of CO, usually
before a healthy adult would experience symptoms. This early
warning is possible however, only if your CO alarm is located,
installed, and maintained as described in this manual.
Because carbon monoxide is a cumulative poison, long-term
exposures to low levels may cause symptoms, as well as short-
term exposures to high levels. This unit has a time-weighted
alarm, the higher the level of CO present, the sooner the alarm will
be triggered.
This CO alarm can only warn you of the presence of CO. It does
not prevent CO from occurring, nor can it solve an existing CO
problem. If your unit has alarmed and you've provided ventilation
by leaving your windows and doors open, the CO buildup may
have dissipated by the time help responds. Although your problem
may appear to be temporarily solved, it is crucial that the source
of the CO is determined and that the appropriate repairs are
made.
CO alarm have limitation. Like any other electronic device, CO
alarms are not fool-proof. CO alarms have a limited operational
life. You must test your CO alarm weekly, because it could fail to
operate at any time.
If your CO alarm fails to test properly, or if its self-diagnostic test
reveals a malfunction, immediately have the unit replaced. This
alarm will not monitor CO levels while in an trouble condition.
CO alarm can only sense CO that reaches the unit's sensor. It is
possible that CO may be present in other areas without reaching
the alarm. The rate and ability with which CO reaches the alarm
may be affected by:
•
Doors or other obstructions.
•
Fresh air from a vent, an open window, or other source.
•
CO being present on one level of the home and not reaching
a CO alarm installed on a different level. (For example, CO in
the basement may not reach an alarm on the second level,
near the bedrooms).
For these reasons, we recommend you provide complete
coverage by placing a CO alarm on every level of the home.
CO alarms should not be used to detect the presence of natural
gas (methane), propane, butane, or other combustible fuels.
Instruct children never to touch or otherwise interfere with the
alarm. Warn children of the dangers of CO poisoning.
P/N 466-2393 • REV 00.15 • ISS 07DEC10
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