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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:
•
Clean chimneys and flues yearly. Keep them free of debris, leaves, and
nests for proper air flow. Also, have a professional check for rust and
corrosion, cracks, or separations. These conditions can prevent proper air
movement and cause backdrafting. Never "cap" or cover a chimney in
any way that would block air flow.
•
Test and maintain all fuel-burning equipment annually. In the case of gas
appliances, this must be a CORGI registered installer. Many local gas or
oil companies and heating companies offer appliance maintenance and
inspection contracts. When service technicians/engineers come to service
your heating and cooking appliances, ensure the following checks are
carried out if you are unable to do them yourself.
Fuel-burning appliances like: portable heater, gas or wood burning fireplace,
gas kitchen cooker, 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.
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*:
•
If the alarm is exposed to 400 ppm of CO, IT MUST ALARM BETWEEN
4 and 15 MINUTES.
•
If the alarm is exposed to 150 ppm of CO, IT MUST ALARM BETWEEN
10 and 50 MINUTES.
•
If the alarm is exposed to 70 ppm of CO, IT MUST ALARM BETWEEN
60 and 240 MINUTES.
* Approximately 10% COHb exposure at levels of 15% 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.
•
An exposure to 100 ppm of CO for 20 minutes may not affect average,
healthy adults, but after 4 hours the same level may cause headaches.
•
An exposure to 400 ppm of CO may cause headaches in average, healthy
adults after 35 minutes, but can cause death after 2 hours.
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 mini-
mum over a long period of time. The CO Alarm generally sounds an alarm
before the onset of symptoms in average, healthy adults.
HOW CAN I PROTECT MY FAMILY?
POTENTIAL SOURCES OF CO IN THE HOME
UNDERWRITERS LABORATORIES INC. UL2034
•
Make regular visual inspections of all fuel-burning appliances. Check
appliances for excessive rust and scaling. Also check the flame on the
burner and pilot lights. The flame should be blue. A yellow flame means fuel
is not being burned completely and CO may be present. Keep the blower
door on the boiler closed. Use vents or fans when they are available on all
fuel-burning appliances. Make sure appliances are vented to the outside.
Do not grill or barbecue indoors, or in garages or on screen porches.
•
Check for exhaust backflow from CO sources. Check the draft hood
on an operating boiler for a backdraft. Look for cracks on boiler heat
exchangers.
•
Check the house or garage on the other side of shared wall.
•
Keep windows and doors open slightly. If you suspect that CO is escaping
into your home, open a window or a door. Opening windows and doors
can significantly decrease CO levels.
In addition, familiarize yourself with all enclosed materials. Read this
manual in its entirety, and make sure you understand what to do if your
CO Alarm sounds.
If you have any questions, call the freephone helpline on 0500 719720.
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, boilers, 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.
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!
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 threaten-
ing. This allows you precious time to leave the house and correct the prob-
lem. 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: 85dB minimum at 3 metres (10 feet).
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