BRK electronic GCO1 user manual USER’S Manual Table of Contents, Basic Safety Information

PLUG-IN EXPLOSIVE GAS AND CARBON MONOXIDE

ALARM WITH BATTERY BACK-UP AND SILENCE FEATURE

120VAC ~ 60Hz, 0.25 A

IMPORTANT! PLEASE READ CAREFULLY AND SAVE.

This unit was shipped with a user’s manual that contains important

information about its operation. If you are installing this unit for use by others,

you must leave this manual—or a copy of it—with the end user.

Printed in Mexico		Model GCO1
M08-0123-000	Q 05/05

All Rights Reserved. © 2005 BRK Brands, Inc.

BRK Brands, Inc., 3901 Liberty Street Road, Aurora, IL 60504-8122 Consumer Affairs: (800) 323-9005 • www.brkelectronics.com

USER’S MANUAL

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Basic Safety Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1

Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-3

Where To Install This Alarm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-2

Where This Alarm Should Not Be Installed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Before You Begin Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 How To Install This Gas/CO Alarm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-3

How Your Alarm Works	. .3
If Your Gas/CO Alarm Sounds	3-4
What To Do if CO is Detected	. .3
What To Do if Explosive Gas is Detected	. .3
Using the Silence Feature	. .3
Using the Remote Control Test/Silence Feature	. .3
Using the Peak CO Memory	. .4
Understanding the Light, Horn, and Display Patterns	. .4
Weekly Testing	. .5
Regular Maintenance	. .5
What You Need To Know About CO	5-6
What is CO?	. .5
Symptoms of CO Poisoning	. .5
Finding the Source of CO After an Alarm	. .5
Potential Sources of CO in the Home	. .5
How Can I Protect My Family From CO Poisoning?	. .6

Regulatory Information For Explosive Gas/CO Alarms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 Regulatory Information for CO Alarms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

Regulatory Information for Explosive Gas Alarms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

General Limitations Of Explosive Gas/CO Alarms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

Troubleshooting Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

Limited Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

BASIC SAFETY INFORMATION

•Dangers, Warnings, and Cautions alert you to important operating instructions or to potentially hazardous situations. Pay special attention to these items.

•This combination Explosive Gas/Carbon Monoxide Alarm has two separate alarms. The CO Alarm is not designed to detect fire or any other gas. It will only indicate the presence of carbon monoxide gas at the sensor. Carbon monoxide gas may be present in other areas. The Explosive Gas Alarm will only indicate the presence of explosive gas that reaches the sensor. The Explosive Gas Alarm is not designed to sense smoke, heat or flames.

•Do not stand too close to the unit when the alarm is sounding. It is loud to wake you in an emergency. Exposure to the horn at close range may harm your hearing.

•Do not paint over the unit. Paint may clog the openings to the sensing chambers and prevent the unit from operating properly.

•This unit must be powered by a 24-hour circuit. Be sure the circuit cannot be turned off by a switch, dimmer, or ground fault circuit interrupter. Failure to connect this unit to a 24-hour circuit may prevent it from providing constant protection.

•This Alarm must have AC or battery power to operate. If AC power fails and the battery is dead or missing, the alarm cannot operate.

•The Alarm will check for the presence of explosive gas at the sensor less frequently when powered by the back-up battery. Explosive gas could be present during the period between checks without going into alarm, especially during a condition that results in a rapid buildup of explosive gas.

•Test the Alarm once a week. If the Alarm ever fails to test correctly, have it replaced immediately! If the Alarm is not working properly, it cannot alert you to a problem.

•This combination Carbon Monoxide and Explosive Gas Alarm is intended for residential use and is not suitable for use in hazardous locations as defined in the National Electrical Code.

•This product is intended for use in ordinary indoor locations of family living units. It is not designed to measure CO levels in compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) commercial or industrial standards. Individuals with medical conditions that may make them more sensitive to carbon monoxide may consider using warning devices which provide audible and visual signals for carbon monoxide concentrations under 30 ppm. For additional information on carbon monoxide and your medical condition contact your physician.

INSTALLATION

WHERE TO INSTALL THIS ALARM

For Gas Alarms, mounting depends on the type of explosive gas you intend to detect.

Natural Gas (methane) is typically supplied through a main utility line connected to your home. If you do not live in a rural area you are likely to be a user of natural gas. Natural gas is a fossil fuel consisting mainly of Methane. Methane is much lighter than air and will rise rapidly in air. If you are a user of natural gas, the Alarm should be mounted between 6 and 12 inches (152mm and 305 mm) away from the ceiling (using cord feature) to ensure the earliest opportunity to detect a leak.

Propane is typically supplied to homes by delivery truck in liquid form and stored near the home in propane tanks. Propane is used by homes in rural areas that do not have natural gas service. Since propane is the most commonly used Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), propane and LP-Gasare often used synonymously. Unlike natural gas, propane is heavier than air and will collect at lower levels. If you are a user of propane, the Alarm should be mounted near the floor (using the direct plug-in feature) to ensure the earliest opportunity to detect a leak.

Both propane and natural gas are colorless and odorless. For safety reasons, an ordorant (Mercaptan) is added so that any leak can be detect- ed by smell. The common detection threshold for smelling the gases is around 20% of the Lower Explosion Limit (LEL). This can vary greatly depending on the individuals sense of smell and how long they have been exposed to it. The LEL of each of these gases defines the bottom range of flammability for the gas. Your Alarm is calibrated to sound before 25% of the LEL of either gas detected.

Therefore, it is possible that you may smell gas before the Alarm is activated. If you are not sure which gas your home uses, contact your utility company.

For CO Alarms, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends that a CO Alarm should be centrally located outside of each separate sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of the bedrooms. For added protection, install additional CO Alarms in each separate bedroom, and on every level of your home.

In general, install combination Explosive Gas and Carbon Monoxide Alarms:

•WHERE YOU CAN HEAR THE ALARM FROM ALL SLEEPING AREAS

•In or near bedrooms and living areas or wherever you suspect a gas or CO exposure is likely.

•On each level of a multi-level home.

Improper location can affect the sensitive electronic components in this Alarm. Please see “Where this Alarm Should Not Be Installed”.

Recommended Placement

DINING ROOM KITCHEN BEDROOM BEDROOM

LIVING ROOM

1

BEDROOM

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