Sometimes It Is Difficult To Find The Source Of Co - Kidde KN-COPP-3 User Manual

Part Four – What to Do When the Alarm Sounds
LOW LEVEL READING,
Unit will not alarm when Peak Level Button is Pressed
Unit reads below 50 ppm of carbon monoxide.
Remember to determine if anyone is at high risk for CO poisoning. If so,
you should use precaution not to expose the at-risk person to low levels for
more than eight hours.
If no one is experiencing symptoms of CO poisoning, press the reset button
on the alarm. Under normal operation, the alarm will not display CO concen-
trations detected between 1 and 29 ppm. By pressing the peak level button, you
can see if any concentration from 11 to 999 has been detected including low
levels of 11 to 29 ppm.
Then, consider whether the following could be sources of the low CO lev-
els:
• Cigarette smoke? Gas oven or range? Attached garage?
Fuel-burning appliances?
• Has anyone used chemicals that could affect the sensor?
(See page 1-7 or a list of chemicals that can have a temporary
or permanent affect on the sensor.)
• Has there been a temperature inversion in the area?
• Do you live in an area with air pollution or heavy traffic?
Test the alarm to verify that it is working properly, following the instructions
on page 1-5, 6.
If the alarm appears to be functioning properly, ventilate your home and turn
fuel-burning appliances to the "off " position until the digital display returns to
"0." Then, turn appliances back on and take note of any further readings at
one hour intervals. Note if the turning on of appliances has caused any change
in CO alarm readings.
Sometimes conditions may develop that are not caused by malfunctioning
appliances or structural problems that need to be repaired. These conditions
can create a temporary build-up of low CO levels that will dissipate and may
not return. (For example: weather conditions or backdrafts caused by differ-
ences in air pressure between the inside and outside of the home). This is why
we suggest you ventilate the home and then monitor to see if any CO levels
reappear.
Treatment for CO Poisoning
Any person who is suspected to have carbon monoxide poisoning should
leave the potentially dangerous environment, get fresh air immediately and
seek care from a physician. CO poisoning can be determined by a simple
blood test, called a "carboxyhemoglobin" test. This test measures the amount
of carbon monoxide in the bloodstream. For this test to be accurate, it must
be done immediately after CO exposure. Acute CO poisoning is usually treat-
ed by breathing in oxygen. When CO poisoning is severe, (for example, when
there is an altered state of consciousness), high pressure oxygen therapy in a
special "hyperbaric chamber" may be used. A physician will make this deter-
mination and administer treatment if necessary.
Calling a Qualified Technician to Find and Repair
the Problem
If you call a qualified service technician (such as a licensed heating con-
tractor, utility service technician, chimney sweep or fuel provider) to
inspect your home for possible sources of CO, tell the technician what
the digital readings were and have them press the peak level memory but-
ton. This way they can see how big a problem they are dealing with. Do
not restart these appliances until the problem is corrected. Request ser-
vice for as soon as possible, like TODAY.
Please be aware that some service technicians may charge a fee to inspect
your home, even if the source of CO is not found. You may wish to find
out if you will be charged for the service and the amount of the fee
before you request service. Some public utilities do not charge for inspec-
tion. Some service technicians do not charge if you purchased your
appliance from them. To know for sure, you need to ask before the tech-
nician comes to your home. Repair work or replacement of appliances
may be necessary to fix the problem that is creating the CO in your home.
Remember, a 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.
Because 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's crucial
that the source of the CO is determined and appropriate repairs are
made.
Sometimes it's Difficult to Find the Source of
CO in a Home
It can be difficult for responders to locate the source(s) of CO if:
• The house was ventilated before they arrived and the fresh
air caused the CO to dissipate. The peak level function on
your Kidde CO alarm helps the responders know
how severe the problem was before they arrived.
• The CO problem was caused by a source that fluctuates on
and off, sometimes creating CO and sometimes not. Such a
situation makes it nearly impossible to pinpoint the source
of CO in a short period of time.
• The cause of CO problem was backdrafting – when air in
a chimney or flue is sucked into the home instead of
venting outside. The exact situation that created a negative
air pressure inside the home (the cause of backdrafting) is
difficult to recreate during an investigation for CO.
Sometimes the CO problem disappears when a door or
window is opened. Backdrafting may or may not
happen again.
4-2