OWNER’S MANUAL
Model 12RV-D
Carbon Monoxide Alarm
Power 12Vdc, Current Draw: 50mA max.
For Recreational Vehicle Use
CSA 6.19-01
ATTENTION: PLEASE READ,
FOLLOW AND SAVE!
Dear New COSTAR
®
12RV-D Owner,
Congratulations as you have taken steps to help insure the health and life safety of you and your family. We are
proud to offer you our unique, patented CO Sensor technology that detects CO in a manner similar to the human
body’s response. The COSTAR
®
12RV-D is an ideal and low-cost way of warning you of both the acute and chronic
effects of CO poisoning.
Please read this owner’s manual carefully so you will have a better understanding of the effects of CO poison-
ing and the COSTAR
®
12RV-D Alarm, as we work together pursuing a safer, healthier indoor air quality for us all.
To your good health and safety,
Mark Goldstein, Ph.D.
President
Quantum Group Inc.
WARNING:
Failure to replace this product by the “REPLACE BY DATE” printed on the alarm cover
may result in death by Carbon Monoxide poisoning. Replace By Date is six (6) years from date of
manufacture.
1.0 WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT CO
Carbon monoxide (CO) is an insidious poison. It is a colorless, odorless and tasteless gas. It is a cumulative
poison. Even low levels of CO have been shown to cause brain and other vital organ damage in unborn infants
with no effect on the mother.
The following symptoms may be related to CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING and should be discussed
with ALL members of the household:
MILD EXPOSURE:
Headaches, running nose, sore eyes, nausea, vomiting, fatigue (often described as “flu”-like symptoms);
MEDIUM EXPOSURE:
Severe throbbing headache, dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, fast heart rate;
EXTREME EXPOSURE:
Unconsciousness, convulsions, brain damage, 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 and household pets may be the first affected. Your CO alarm is designed to
detect the toxic CO fumes that result from incomplete combustion, such as fuel burning appliances (e.g. space
heater, furnace, water heater, range, oven, clothes dryer), or other sources of combustion (e.g. kerosene-burning
stove or heater or gas log fireplace) or internal combustion engines (e.g. automobile exhaust). Furthermore,
installation of this device is not a substitute for proper installation, use, and maintenance of fuel-burning appli-
ances, including appropriate ventilation and exhaust systems. This carbon monoxide alarming device is
designed to detect carbon monoxide gas from ANY source of combustion. It is NOT designed to detect smoke,
fire, or any other gases.
CAUTION:
This alarm will only indicate the presence of carbon monoxide gas at the sensor. Carbon monox-
ide gas may be present in other areas.
WARNING:
This product is intended for use in ordinary indoor locations of family living units. It is not
designed to measure compliance with commercial or industrial standards, such as Occupational Safety and
Health Administration (OSHA). This device is designed to protect individuals from the acute effects of carbon
monoxide exposure. It will not fully safeguard individuals with specific medical conditions. Individuals with
medical problems may consider using warning devices which provide audible and visual signals for carbon
monoxide concentrations under 30 ppm. If in doubt, consult a medical practitioner.
2.0 WHAT YOU SHOULD DO IF THE ALARM SOUNDS
WARNING:
Actuation of your CO alarm indicates the presence of carbon
monoxide (CO), which can KILL YOU. If alarm signal sounds (flashing red
light and pulsating horn):
* For users in the United States, follow the protocol in steps 1 through 4 below:
1) Operate reset/silence button;
2) Call your emergency services (______ - _______) [fire department or 911];
3) Immediately move to fresh air – outdoors or by an open door or window. Do a
head count to check that all persons are accounted for. Do not reenter the prem-
ises nor move away from the open door/window until emergency services
responders have arrived, the premises have been aired out, and your alarm
remains in its normal condition.
4) After following steps 1– 3, if your alarm reactivates within a 24-hour period, repeat
steps 1– 3 and call a qualified repair technician (______ - _______) to investigate
the sources of CO from fuel burning equipment and appliances, and inspect for
proper operation of this equipment. If problems are identified during this inspec-
tion, have the equipment serviced immediately. Note any combustion equipment
not inspected by the technician and consult the manufacturer’s instructions, or
contact the manufacturers directly, for more information about CO safety and this
equipment. Make sure motor vehicles are not, and have not been, operating in an
attached garage or adjacent to the residence.
* For users in Canada, follow the protocol in steps 1 and 2 below:
1) Immediately move to fresh air – outdoors or by an open door or window. Check
that all persons are accounted for. Do not reenter the premises or move away
from the open door/window until the emergency services responders have
arrived, the premises have been aired out, and your alarm remains in its normal
condition;
2) Call your emergency services (______ - _______) [fire department or 911]; If
“service” signal sounds (red light flashes and horn beeps every 30 seconds),
contact the manufacturer for troubleshooting and/or instructions to return the unit:
Quantum Group, Inc. Customer Service: 1-800-432-5599
2.1 IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS:
The 12RV-D has been designed and is warranted to operate for six
years
WARNING:
TEST ALARM OPERATION AFTER VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN STORAGE, BEFORE EACH
TRIP, AND AT LEAST ONCE PER WEEK DURING USE.
2.2 The alarm will automatically sense when the level of CO in the air falls below the danger level. You should
stay outside the vehicle in fresh air until the alarm is silenced. When the alarm sounds, do not stand too close
to the alarm. The sound produced by the alarm is loud because it is designed to awaken a person in an emer-
gency. Prolonged exposure to the alarm at a close distance may be harmful to your hearing.
3.0 DEVELOPING YOUR OWN CO SAFETY PLAN
This CO alarm can quickly alert you to the presence of CO - it cannot prevent toxic CO emissions. Please note
that there are hazards against which CO detection may not be effective, such as natural gas leaks or explosions.
The ultimate responsibility for protection against toxic CO gas rests solely on you. Installing CO alarms is just
the first step in protecting your family from toxic CO poisoning. We also suggest that you create an effective,
comprehensive safety program as outlined below.
3.1 Install CO alarms properly following the instructions in this manual.
3.2 Develop a family escape plan and practice it with your entire family, especially small children.
• Draw a floor plan of your RV and find two ways to exit. There should be one way to get out of your RV with-
out opening the door.
• Make sure that all occupants know what the CO alarm signal means and how they must be prepared to leave
the RV by themselves if necessary.
• Decide on a meeting place a safe distance from your RV and make sure all occupants understand where they
should go and wait if there is a dangerous CO condition.
• Conduct CO safety drills at least every 6 months to make sure that everyone, even small children, know
what to do in order to escape safely.
• Know where to go to call the Fire Department from outside your RV.
4.0 IMPORTANT: WHAT YOUR CO ALARM CAN AND CANNOT DO
4.1 This unit is designed to detect carbon monoxide (CO) entering its sensing chamber. It does not sense
combustible gas (such as natural gas, propane or butane), heat, smoke or flames.
4.2
NOTE:
This CO alarm is designed for use within a single recreational vehicle. The alarm may not provide
early warning for occupants if it is placed outside of the recreational vehicle, such as on outside porches.
4.3 When properly located, installed, and maintained, this CO alarm is designed to provide early warning of devel-
oping poisonous CO conditions at a reasonable cost. This alarm monitors the air, and when it senses CO, it
activates its built-in alarm. It can provide precious time for you and your family to escape from your RV before
CO can seriously injure or kill. However, such an early warning is possible only if the alarm is located,
installed, and maintained as specified in the Owner’s Manual.
4.4 If your RV has an interior room divider or door it is recommended to place a CO alarm on both sides of the
divider or door. If the alarm is located outside of a bedroom, it may not wake up a sound sleeper, especially if
the bedroom door or divider is closed or only partly open.
WARNING:
The COSTAR® Model 12RV-D CO Alarm is not designed for marine use.
5.0 INSTALLING THE COSTAR
®
12RV-D ALARM FOR RECREATIONAL VEHICLE USE
Figure 1:
Suggested Mounting Locations for RVs
5.1 RECOMMENDED MOUNTING LOCATIONS
One of the most important considerations in any CO alarm system is the location of the alarms. Statistics of the
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) show that most of the fatal CO occurrences happen at night while
people are sleeping. Early warning of CO is best achieved by the correct installation of CO alarms. Placement of
an alarm in a garage may cause an alarm due to CO from engine exhaust.
5.2 Put a CO alarm in a central location inside the vehicle, near sleeping areas. A closed door can block particulate
smoke, but CO gas is likely to get through.
5.3 This CO alarm may be mounted on the wall or ceiling.
5.4
WALL LOCATIONS:
Mount alarm at least 3 feet (usually 5-6 feet) from the floor.
5.5
CEILING LOCATION:
Alarm should be mounted as close as possible to the center of a hallway or room. If
this is not possible, the edge of the alarm should be at least 4 inches from any wall.
5.6 LOCATIONS TO AVOID
• Within 5 feet (1.5 meters) of any cooking appliance
• Near an open window or door, because the fresh air entering the opening may delay CO from reaching the
alarm
• In damp or very humid areas or next to bathrooms with showers. Install detectors at least 5 feet (1.5 meters)
away from bathrooms
• Locations where normal ambient temperatures are not met. Normal ambient temperature limits are 40°F to
100°F (4.4°C to 37.8°C)
• Accommodation spaces should be well ventilated when household cleaning supplies or similar contaminants
are stored or used.
5.7 CONDITIONS WHICH CAN RESULT IN TEMPORARY CO SITUATIONS:
5.7.1 Excessive spillage or reverse venting of fuel burning appliances caused by:
i) Outdoor ambient conditions, such as wind direction and/or velocity, including high gusts of wind,
and insufficient draft in the vent pipes (cold/humid air with extended periods between cycles);
ii) Negative pressure differential resulting from the use of exhaust fans;
iii) Simultaneous operation of several fuel burning appliances competing for limited internal air;
iv) Loose vent pipe connections from fuel-fired appliances such as clothes dryers, furnaces, or water
heaters;
v) Obstructions, or unconventional vent pipe designs that can amplify the above situations;
vi) Poorly designed or maintained chimneys and/or vents;
5.7.2 Extended operation of unvented fuel-burning devices (range, oven, fireplace, etc.);
5.7.3 Temperature inversions that can trap exhaust gasses near the ground; and
5.7.4 RV, truck or car idling in an open or closed attached garage, or near a home.
