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MOUNTING LOCATION
This CO alarm can be mounted on the wall or ceiling.
WALL LOCATION: Locate the top of the alarm not more than 6 feet from the floor.
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.
LOCATIONS TO AVOID
Nuisance alarms are caused by placing alarms where they will not operate properly.
To avoid nuisance alarms, do not place alarms:
– Within 1 foot (.3m) from fluorescent lights. Electronic noise may cause false alarms.
– Within 5 feet (1.5m) 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 alarms at
least 10 feet (3m) away from bathrooms.
– In very cold or very hot environments or in unheated buildings or outdoor rooms
where the temperature can go below or above the operating range of the alarm.
Temperature limits for proper operation are 40
o
to 100
o
F (4.4
o
to 37.8
o
C).
– Good ventilation is recommended when household cleaning supplies or similar
contaminants are used.
– 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 connections vibrating loose from clothes dryers, furnaces, or water
heaters.
– Obstructions in or unconventional vent pipe designs which can 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 Levels of CO Cause an Alarm?
Underwriters Laboratories Inc. UL2034 defines three specific alarm points by which
all residential CO alarms must alarm. 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
of CO, IT MUST ALARM BETWEEN 60 and 240
MINUTES.
