Firex pmn Symptoms of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning, Conditions That Can Cause CO Levels to Change

Troubleshooting (cont.)

Solution: Press the TEST/RESET button to allow the alarm to recheck itself internally. If the amber LED continues to flash, the alarm must be returned to Maple Chase Company for service (see warranty).

Symptoms of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Carbon monoxide poisoning has many symptoms. Some symptoms are very similar to the flu, the effects of intoxication, or drug usage. In many CO cases, people feel ill and stay home to rest. This only compounds the CO poisoning because they stay in the home where CO is present.

As CO levels rise, the symptoms become more extreme. At low levels people will suffer headaches and mild nausea. At higher levels unconscious- ness, heart failure, and even death can occur.

The following symptoms are related to CARBON MONOXIDE 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.

Many cases of reported carbon monoxide poisoning indicate that while victims are aware they are not well, they become so disoriented they are unable to save themselves by either exiting the building or calling for assistance. Also, young children, the elderly, and household pets may be the first affected by CO poisoning.

The important factor with any CO poisoning, however, is time. At high levels, CO can cause death in just minutes. At lower levels, it could take from hours to days of constant CO exposure to have the same life-threatening effect.

The chart below illustrates the symptoms of CO poisoning by concentration of CO and its effect over time.

Slight headache within 2-3 hours.

Frontal headache within 1-2 hours.

Dizziness, nausea, and convulsions within 45 minutes.

Insensible within 2 hours.

Headache,dizziness and nausea within 20 minutes.

Death within 2 hours.

Headache,dizziness and nausea within 5-10 minutes.

Death within 30 minutes.

Headache,dizziness 1-2 minutes.

Death in less than 15 minutes.

D e a t h i n l e s s t h a n 3 m i n u t e s .

0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 1000 1100 1200

Concentration of CO in air (ppm)

Conditions That Can Cause CO Levels to Change

The following conditions can result in transient CO situations in the home.

1.Excessive spillage or reverse venting of fuel burning appliances caused by outdoor ambient conditions, such as:

a.Wind direction and/or velocity, including high gusts of wind. Heavy air in the vent pipes (cold/humid air with extended periods between cycles).

b.Negative pressure differential resulting from the use of exhaust fans.

c.Simultaneous operation of several fuel burning appliances compet- ing for limited internal air.

d.Vent pipe connections vibrating loose from clothes dryers, furnaces, or water heaters.

e.Obstruction in the vent pipe or unconventional vent pipe designs which can amplify the above situations.

2.Extended operation of unvented fuel burning devices (range, oven, fire- place, etc.).

3.Temperature inversions which can trap exhaust gasses near the ground.

4.Car idling in an open or closed attached garage, or near a home.

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•Directamente sobre un lavadero, tina o lavamanos.

•Directamente por encima o por debajo de conductos de inter- cambio de aire o calefacción.

•Detrás de cortinas, muebles o artefactos que puedan obstruir el flujo de aire hacia la alarma de CO.

!ADVERTENCIA

Esta unidad no debe usarse en vehículos recreacionales.

Cómo instalar la alarma de CO

Una vez que haya escogido el mehor lugar donde instalar la(s) alarma(s) de CO, siga los siguientes pasos:

!ADVERTENCIA

PELIGRO DE ELECTROCUCIÓN. Desconecte la corriente; para hacerlo, saque el fusible de la caja principal o abra el interruptor de circuitos, llevándolo a la posición de desconexión (OFF).

!CUIDADO

Consulte los códigos locales sobre los requisitos específicos de instalación de su área.

1. Deslice la placa de montaje que está en la parte posterior de la alarma de CO y levántela de la base. Vea la Figura 1.

2. Conecte la nueva pila de 9 V a su conector que está dentro del compartimiento y cierre la puerta deslizándola hasta que encaje en su sitio. La nueva pila de 9 V viene de fábrica al revés dentro del compartimiento de la pila.

Para reemplazarla, use una pila Eveready 216,

522, 1222 o una equivalente que la puedeFIGURA 1 comprar en un minorista local.

3.Alinee la placa de montaje con los orificios respectivos de la caja de empalmes.

4.Haga pasar con suavidad los alambres de la casa a través del orificio central de la placa de montaje.

5.Asegure la placa de montaje a la caja de empalmes.

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