Kidde Nighthawk 900-0081 User Manual page 16

900-0081 Benelux Manual
Part Six – Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What happens if the power goes out?
A. If the power goes out, your alarm will sound a fading alarm to alert
you that power has been disconnected. When the power is restored,
the CO alarm will automatically reset and will sound a brief alarm to
indicate it is receiving power.
In the event of a power cut, it is important to remember never to use
alternative sources of heat indoors such as charcoal, a gas oven or
unvented space heaters. These heat sources can cause extremely
dangerous amounts of carbon monoxide.
Q. My unit has never alarmed. Is it really working?
A. If the green operate light is always on and the alarm operates as
described on page 1-9 when you test it, your CO alarm is constantly
monitoring for the presence of CO.
Q. You say the alarm should last eight years. How will I know
when it doesn't work anymore and I need to buy a new one?
A. In any event of malfunction, your alarm should alert you with
malfunction signals. These signals are described in detail on page
1-10.
Q. I called in someone to inspect my home for CO after my unit
alarmed, and he couldn't find anything wrong. Why? Does that
mean this alarm "false alarmed"?
A. No. Please read the information explaining why a CO problem can
be difficult to diagnose on page 4-4. Also, please read the information
on page 1-10 to make sure you experienced an alarm and not a
malfunction alert.
Q. How much electricity does it take to run the CO alarm?
A. The CO alarm uses less than one watt of electricity. A typical night
light uses four watts.
Q. Will the CO alarm last longer if I unplug it during the
summer months and only use it during the winter?
A. No. Some components of the CO alarm can deteriorate over time
if not used regularly. We recommend the CO alarm be plugged in
continuously for maximum alarm life.
29/8/01 9:54 am Page 31
6-2
Part Six – Frequently Asked Questions
Q. I use the CO alarm in a holiday home that isn't always
occupied and can have temperature extremes when no one is
there (no heat or no air conditioning). Will that affect the CO
alarm? Should I leave it plugged in all the time?
A. We recommend that your CO alarm not be installed in areas where
temperatures fall below 40˚F (4.4˚C) or rise above 100˚F (37.8˚C). Your
CO alarm was designed to be constantly plugged in for maximum
performance.
Q. I plugged in the CO alarm at my house (my parents', my
neighbours', etc.) and the alarm hasn't sounded. Does that
mean everything is OK? (I'm thinking I can return the CO alarm
since everything checks out OK.)
A. This CO alarm is designed to act as a continuous monitor, it is not
designed for use as a short-term testing device to perform a quick
check for the presence of CO.
Remember, a carbon monoxide problem can occur at any time, even
after a professional inspection has determined that everything is in
proper working order. Examples of problems that can develop are a
crack in a furnace heat exchanger, a leak in a water heater vent, or a
bird's nest blocking a flue.
That's why you need the 24-hour protection provided by a CO alarm.
6-3