Information about carbon monoxide
Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless poison
gas that can be fatal when inhaled. CO inhibits the blood’s
capacity to carry oxygen.
Periodically review this alarm manual and discuss your CO
alarm emergency procedure with all members of your family.
Never ignore a CO alarm. A true alarm is an indication of
potentially dangerous levels of CO. CO alarms are designed to
alert you to the presence of CO before an emergency - before
most people would experience symptoms of CO poisoning,
giving you time to resolve the problem calmly.
Determine if anyone in the household is experiencing
symptoms of CO poisoning. Many cases of reported CO
poisoning indicate that while victims are aware they are not
well, they become so disoriented they are unable to save
themselves either by exiting the building or calling for
assistance. Also, young children and household pets may be
the first affected. You should take extra precautions to protect
high-risk persons from CO exposure because they may
experience ill effects from CO at levels that would not ordinarily
affect a healthy adult.
Symptoms of CO poisoning
The following common symptoms are related to CO poisoning
and should be discussed with ALL members of the household:
•
Mild exposure
= Slight headache, nausea, vomiting,
fatigue (often described as “flu-like” symptoms).
•
Medium exposure
= Severe throbbing headache,
drowsiness, confusion, fast heart rate.
•
Extreme exposure
= Unconsciousness, convulsions,
cardio-respiratory failure, death.
If you experience even mild symptoms of CO poisoning,
consult your doctor immediately.
Conditions that can produce carbon monoxide
•
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 differential resulting from the use
of exhaust fans.
•
Simultaneous operation of several fuel burning
appliances competing for limited internal air.
•
Vent pipe connection vibrating loose from clothes
dryers, furnaces, or water heaters.
•
Obstructions in or unconventional vent pipe designs
which amplify the above situations.
•
Extended 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.
What CO alarms can and cannot do
CO alarms provide early warning of the presence of CO,
usually before a healthy adult would experience symptoms.
This early warning is possible however, only if your CO alarm
is located, installed, and maintained as described in this
manual.
Because carbon monoxide is a cumulative poison, long-term
exposures to low levels may cause symptoms, as well as
short-term exposures to high levels. This unit has a time-
weighted alarm, the higher the level of CO present, the sooner
the alarm will be triggered.
This CO alarm can only warn you of the presence of CO. It
does not prevent CO from occurring, nor can it solve an
existing CO problem. If your unit has alarmed and you’ve
provided ventilation by leaving your windows and doors open,
the CO buildup may have dissipated by the time help
responds. Although your problem may appear to be
temporarily solved, it is crucial that the source of the CO is
determined and that the appropriate repairs are made.
CO alarm have limitation. Like any other electronic device, CO
alarms are not fool-proof. CO alarms have a limited operational
life. You must test your CO alarm weekly, because it could fail
to operate at any time.
If your CO alarm fails to test properly, or if its self-diagnostic
test reveals a malfunction, immediately have the unit replaced.
This alarm will not monitor CO levels while in an trouble
condition.
CO alarm can only sense CO that reaches the unit’s sensor. It
is possible that CO may be present in other areas without
reaching the alarm. The rate and ability with which CO reaches
the alarm may be affected by:
•
Doors or other obstructions.
•
Fresh air from a vent, an open window, or other source.
•
CO being present on one level of the home and not
reaching a CO alarm installed on a different level. (For
example, CO in the basement may not reach an alarm on
the second level, near the bedrooms).
For these reasons, we recommend you provide complete
coverage by placing a CO alarm on every level of the home.
CO alarms should not be used to detect the presence of
natural gas (methane), propane, butane, or other combustible
fuels.
Instruct children never to touch or otherwise interfere with the
alarm. Warn children of the dangers of CO poisoning.
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P/N 466-2393 • REV A • ISS 14FEB11
