Weekly Testing; Regular Maintenance; What You Need To Know About Co; What Is Co - First Alert CO615 User Manual

WEEKLY TESTING

• NEVER use an open flame of any kind to test this unit. You might
accidentally damage or set fire to the unit or to your home. The
built-in test switch accurately tests the unit's operation as required
by Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. (UL). NEVER use vehicle exhaust!
Exhaust may cause permanent damage and voids your warranty.
• DO NOT stand close to the Alarm when the horn is sounding.
Exposure at close range may be harmful to your hearing. When
testing, step away when horn starts sounding.
It is important to test this unit every week to make sure it is working
properly. You can test this CO Alarm two ways:
1. Manually: Press the Test/Silence button on the Alarm
cover until alarm sounds.
2. Remote Control: Aim your remote control at the Alarm
and press the CHANNEL or VOLUME button.
If the Alarm does not test properly:
1. Make sure the AC power is applied and batteries are
fresh and installed correctly.
2. Test the unit again.
If the Alarm is still not working properly, replace it immediately. Refer to the
"Limited Warranty" at the end of this manual.
If there is still a problem, do not try to fix the Alarm yourself. This will
void your warranty!

REGULAR MAINTENANCE

Use only the replacement batteries listed below. The unit may not operate
properly with other batteries. Never use rechargeable batteries since they
may not provide a constant charge.
This unit has been designed to be as maintenance-free as possible, but there
are a few simple things you must do to keep it working properly:
• Test it at least once a week.
• Clean the Alarm at least once a month; gently vacuum the outside of the
Alarm using your household vacuum's soft brush attachment. Test the
Alarm. Never use water, cleaners or solvents since they may damage the
unit.
• Relocate the unit if it sounds frequent unwanted alarms. See "Where This
Alarm Should Not Be Installed" for details.
• When the battery back-up becomes weak, the Alarm will "chirp" about
once a minute (the low battery warning). You should replace the battery
immediately to continue your protection. This Alarm must have AC or
battery power to operate. If AC power fails, and the battery is dead
or missing, the Alarm cannot operate.
DO NOT spray cleaning chemicals or insect sprays directly on or near the
Alarm. DO NOT paint over the Alarm. Doing so may permanently damage the
Alarm.
CHOOSING A REPLACEMENT BATTERY:
This CO Alarm requires two standard AA batteries. The following batteries are
acceptable as replacements: Energizer E91. These batteries are available at
many local retail stores.
Actual battery service life depends on the Alarm and the environment in which
it is installed. All the batteries specified above are acceptable replacement
batteries for this unit. Regardless of the manufacturer's suggested battery life,
you MUST replace the battery immediately once the unit starts "chirping" (the
"low battery warning").

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT CO

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 main-
tained, 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.

SYMPTOMS OF CO POISONING

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 impor-
tant? 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!

FINDING THE SOURCE OF CO AFTER AN ALARM

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:
• House well ventilated before the investigator arrives.
• Problem caused by "backdrafting."
• Transient CO problem caused by special circumstances.
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.

POTENTIAL SOURCES OF CO IN THE HOME

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:
1. Excessive spillage or reverse venting of fuel appliances caused by outdoor
conditions such as:
• Wind direction and/or velocity, including high, gusty winds. Heavy air in
the vent pipes (cold/humid air with extended periods between cycles).
• Negative pressure differential resulting from the use of exhaust fans.
• Several appliances running at the same time competing for limited fresh
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.
2. Extended operation of unvented fuel burning devices (range, oven, fireplace).
3. Temperature inversions, which can trap exhaust close to the ground.
4. Car idling in an open or closed attached garage, or near a home.
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.
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