Kidde KN-COSM-B General Maintenance, Carbon Monoxide Safety Information, General CO Information

General Maintenance

•Never use detergents or other solvents to clean the unit.

•Avoid spraying air fresheners, hair spray, or other aerosols near the Smoke/CO Alarm.

Do not paint the unit. Paint will seal the vents and interfere with the sensor’s ability to detect smoke and CO. Never attempt to disassemble the unit or clean inside. This action will void your warranty.

Move the Smoke/CO Alarm and place in another loca- tion prior to performing any of the following:

•Staining or stripping wood floors or furniture

•Painting

•Wall papering

•Using adhesives

Storing the unit in a plastic bag during any of the above projects will protect the sensors from damage. Do not place near a diaper pail.

WARNING: Reinstall the Smoke/CO Alarm as soon as possible to assure continuous protection.

When household cleaning supplies or similar contami- nates are used, the area must be well ventilated. The fol- lowing substances can effect the CO sensor and may cause false readings and damage to the sensor: Methane, propane, iso-butane, iso-propanol, ethyl acetate, hydrogen sulfide, sulfide dioxides, alcohol based products, paints, thinner, solvents, adhesives, hair spray, after shave, perfume, and some cleaning agents.

Carbon Monoxide Safety Information

General CO Information

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless poison gas that can be fatal when inhaled.

Carbon Monoxide Safety Information

CO inhibits the blood’s capacity to carry oxygen.

Possible Sources

CO can be produced when burning any fossil fuel: gaso- line, propane, natural gas, oil and wood. It can be pro- duced by any fuel-burning appliance that is malfunction- ing, improperly installed, or not ventilated correctly. Possible sources include furnaces, gas ranges/stoves, gas clothes dryers, water heaters, portable fuel burning space heaters, fireplaces, wood-burning stoves and cer- tain swimming pool heaters. Blocked chimneys or flues, back drafting and changes in air pressure, corroded or disconnected vent pipes, and a loose or cracked furnace exchanger can also cause CO. Vehicles and other com- bustion engines running in an attached garage and using a charcoal/gas grill or hibachi in an enclosed area are all possible sources of CO.

The following conditions can result in transient CO situations:

Excessive spillage or reverse venting of fuel-burning appliances caused by outdoor ambient conditions such as: Wind direction and/or velocity, including high gusts of wind, heavy air in the vent pipes (cold/humid air with extended periods between cycles), negative pressure dif- ferential resulting from the use of exhaust fans, simulta- neous operation of several fuel-burning appliances com- peting for limited internal 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, extend- ed operation of unvented fuel-burning devices (range, oven, fireplace, etc.), temperature inversions which can trap exhaust gasses near the ground, car idling in an open or closed attached garage, or near a home.

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