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 maintained, 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 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 disorient- ed 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.
HOW CAN I PROTECT MY FAMILY?
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. Many local gas or oil companies and HVAC companies offer appliance inspections for a nominal fee.
•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 furnace closed. Use vents or fans when they are available on all fuel-burning appliances. Make sure appliances are vented to the outside. Do not use grills or barbecue indoors, or in garages or on screen porches.
•Check for exhaust backflow from CO sources. Check the draft hood on an operating furnace for a backdraft. Look for cracks on furnace 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.
UNDERWRITERS LABORATORIES INC. UL2034
WHAT LEVELS OF CO CAUSE AN ALARM?
Underwriters Laboratories Inc. Standard UL2034 requires residential CO Alarms to sound when exposed to lev- els 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.
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 threatening. This allows you precious time to leave the house and correct the problem. 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 10 feet.
