HOW CAN I PROTECT MY FAMILY FROM CO POISONING?
A Gas/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 Gas/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 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 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.
In addition, familiarize yourself with all enclosed materials. Read this manual in its entirety, and make sure you understand what to do if your Gas/CO Alarm sounds.
REGULATORY INFORMATION FOR EXPLOSIVE GAS/CO ALARMS
REGULATORY INFORMATION FOR CO ALARMS
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 if 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.
Audible Alarm: 85dB minimum at 10 feet (3 meters).
REGULATORY INFORMATION FOR EXPLOSIVE GAS ALARMS
Standards: Underwriters Laboratories Inc. UL1484.
According to Underwriters Laboratories Inc. UL1484, this unit meets the alarm response time for gas as follows: This unit shall alarm before 25% of the LEL of either natural gas or propane is detected. In all cases, the unit will detect gas as a priority over carbon monoxide. If the device is detecting CO, then detects an amount of gas to cause an alarm, the device will stop alarming for CO and begin to alarm for gas.
GENERAL LIMITATIONS OF EXPLOSIVE GAS/CO ALARMS
This Gas/CO Alarm is intended for residential use. It is not intended for use in industrial applications where Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requirements for Carbon Monoxide Alarms must be met. This device is not intended to alert hearing impaired residents.
Gas/CO Alarms may not waken all individuals. If children or others do not readily waken to the sound of the Gas/CO Alarm, or if there are infants or family members with mobility limitations, make sure that someone is assigned to assist them in the event of an emergency.
This Gas/CO Alarm will not sense gas or CO that does not reach the sensors. It will only sense gas or CO at the sensor. Gas or CO may be present in other areas. Doors or other obstructions may affect the rate at which CO or gas reaches the sensors.
Gas/CO Alarms may not be heard. The alarm horn loudness meets or exceeds current UL standards of 85 dB at 10 feet (3 meters). However, if the Gas/CO Alarm is installed outside the bedroom, it may not wake up a sound sleeper or one who has recently used drugs or has been drinking alcoholic beverages. This is especially true if the door is closed or only partly open. Even persons who are awake may not hear the alarm horn if the sound is blocked by distance or closed doors. Noise from traffic, stereo, radio, television, air conditioner, or other appliances may also prevent alert persons from hearing the alarm horn. This Gas/CO Alarm is not intended for people who are hearing impaired.
This Gas/CO Alarm is not a substitute for life insurance. Though this Gas/CO Alarm warns against increasing CO levels or the presence of gas, BRK Brands, Inc. does not warrant or imply in any way that they will protect lives. Homeowners and renters must still insure their lives.
This Gas/CO Alarm is not foolproof. Like all other electronic devices, this Gas/CO Alarm has limitations. It can only detect gas or CO that reaches the sensors. It may not give early warning of the source of gas or CO is in a remote part of the home, away from the alarm device.
This Gas/CO Alarm has a limited life. Although this Gas/CO Alarm and all of its parts have passed many stringent tests and are designed to be as reliable as possible, any of these parts could fail at any time. Therefore, you must test this device weekly. The unit should be replaced immediately if it is not operating properly.
