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Alarm sounder

••••   ••••   ••••

A repeating series of
4 beeps with red light –

FULL ALARM

••••   ••••   ••••

A repeating series of
4 beeps WITHOUT LIGHTS –
An interconnected alarm is 
in 

FULL ALARM

•••

•••

Three short beeps every
60 seconds – 

REPLACE 

CO ALARM/END OF LIFE

••

••

Two short beeps every 60 
seconds with yellow light –

FAULT

A single beep every minute 
with a yellow light flash –

LOW BATTERY

••••    ••••

Two sets of four beeps with 
red Light – 

WHEN TESTED

WITH TEST BUTTON

Indicator lights

The Green (power) Light

– 

When the alarm is powered by

the mains supply the green light will remain on all the time.
If your mains power has failed and your alarm has a standby
battery (MRLi, MBXi) then the green light will blink every
minute.

The Red (Alarm) Light

– 

This light will be on if the alarm

is detecting carbon monoxide. It will be accompanied by a
repeating series of four beeps followed by a 5 second pause.

The Yellow (fault) Light

– 

In low battery mode the yellow

light will flash with a short beep once every 60 seconds.  If a
circuitry or sensor fault occurs, the yellow light will stay
permanently on and accompanied by 2 short beeps every 60
seconds.  Call Customer Services on +44 (0) 1452 887570
if this should happen.

NOTE:

On interconnected alarm system with more than one

alarm, only the originating alarm will show the red light. All
the others will just sound the alarm.

If harmful levels of carbon monoxide are detected, your
alarm will emit a series of four beeps followed by a short
pause; this will be accompanied by a flashing red light. This
pattern will be repeated until the alarm is successfully reset.
If the alarm is emitting a different pattern of beeps see
section A above.

If the alarm sounds, respond as follows:

1.   If anyone is experiencing the effects of carbon monoxide

poisoning–headache, dizziness, nausea or other ‘flu-
like’ symptoms:–

2.   Open the doors and windows to ventilate.

3.   Turn off any fuel-burning appliances where possible and

stop using them.

4.   Evacuate the property leaving the doors and windows

open.

5.   Ring your gas or other fuel supplier on their emergency

number. Record those numbers here:-

6.   Do not re-enter the property until the alarm has stopped.

7.   Get medical help immediately for anyone suffering the

effects of carbon monoxide poisoning (headache,
nausea), and advise that carbon monoxide poisoning is
suspected.

8.   Do not use the fuel-burning appliances again until they

have been checked by an expert. In the case of gas
appliances this must be a Capita/Gas Safe registered
installer.

9.   If no symptoms exist, operate the Test/Reset button and

immediately ventilate the home by opening the windows
and doors.

10. The alarm can be silenced by pressing the Test/Reset

button.

11. If you have interconnected CO alarms in the system, you

have to reset the initiating alarm which can be identified
by the red alarm light being 'on'.

What to do after resetting the alarm

A full continuous alarm within six minutes after reset
confirms ongoing presence of harmful levels of carbon
monoxide. If this occurs follow instructions 2 to 8 as per
above.

What to do after a carbon monoxide problem has
been corrected?

After a carbon monoxide problem has been corrected reset
your alarm by pushing the Test/Reset button as per the
following instructions.

How to reset the alarm

The alarm will reset once the carbon monoxide has
dispersed. Should you wish to attempt to do a manual reset
press the test/reset button. The unit will re-alarm if the levels
of carbon monoxide are still hazardous. To reset after an
alarm, press the Test/Reset.

C. What are the possible symptoms of

carbon monoxide poisoning?

Carbon monoxide (CO) is odourless, colourless, tasteless
and very toxic. When inhaled, it produces an effect known as
chemical asphyxiation.

Injury is due to the combining of CO with the available
haemoglobin in the blood, which lowers the oxygen-carrying
capacity of the blood. In the presence of carbon monoxide,
the body is quickly affected by oxygen starvation.
The following symptoms are related to carbon monoxide
poisoning and should be discussed with all members of the
household so that they know what to look for:

Extreme Exposure (A-C) below. Unconsciousness,
convulsions, cardio respiratory failure, death.

Medium Exposure (D-G below) Severe throbbing headache,
drowsiness, confusion, vomiting, fast heart rate

Mild Exposure (H-J below) Slight headache, nausea, fatigue
(often described as ‘flu-like’ symptoms)

A - 50% COHb (Permanent Brain Damage – Death)

B - 45% COHb (Coma and Permanent Brain Damage)

C - 40% COHb (Collapse)

D - 35% COHb (Vomiting)

E - 30% COHb (Drowsy)

F - 25% COHb (Headache and Nausea)

G - 20% COHb (Headache)

H - 15% COHb (Slight Headache)

I - 10% COHb (None)

J - 5% COHb (None)

Many cases of reported CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING
indicate that while the victims are aware they are not well,
they become so disorientated they are unable to exit the
building or call for assistance. Young children and
household pets may be the first affected. Exposure during
sleep is particularly dangerous because the victim usually
does not awaken. For most people, mild symptoms
generally will be felt after several hours of exposure to 100
ppm of carbon monoxide. Higher levels will lead to more
severe symptoms or death.

D. What is carbon monoxide and why

should you be concerned?

Carbon monoxide is a dangerous, poisonous gas. It is often
referred to as the Silent Killer because it has no odour or
taste and it can’t be seen. The presence of carbon monoxide
inhibits the blood’s capacity to transport oxygen throughout
the body, which can eventually lead to brain damage. In any
enclosed space (home, office, recreational vehicle or boat)
even a small accumulation of carbon monoxide can be
dangerous.

E. What are the potential sources of

carbon monoxide?

Although many products of combustion can cause
discomfort and adverse health effects, it is carbon monoxide
(CO) that presents the greatest threat to life. CO is produced
by the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels such as natural
gas, propane, heating oil, paraffin, coal, charcoal, petrol or
wood. The incomplete combustion of fossil fuel can occur in
any device that depends on burning for energy or heat such
as gas fires, central heating boilers, room heaters, water
heaters, cookers or grills and in any petrol-powered vehicle
or engine (e.g. generator set or lawnmower). Tobacco smoke
also adds CO to the air you breathe.

When properly installed and maintained, your natural gas
boiler and hot water heater do not pollute your air space with
carbon monoxide. Natural gas is known as a ‘clean burning’
fuel because under correct operating conditions the
combustion products are water vapour and carbon dioxide,
which are not toxic. Carbon dioxide (CO2) is also present in
the air we exhale and is necessary for plant life). The
products of combustion are vented from boilers and water
heaters to the outside by means of a flue, duct or chimney.

Correct operation of fuel-burning equipment requires two
key conditions. There must be:

• An adequate supply of air for complete combustion.

• Proper venting of the products of combustion from the

boiler through the chimney, vent or duct to the outside.

Typical Carbon Monoxide Problems

1. Equipment problems, due to defects, poor maintenance,

damaged or cracked heat exchangers

2. Collapsed or blocked chimneys or flues, dislodged,

disconnected or damaged vents

3. Downdraught in chimneys or flues; this can also be

caused by very long or circuitous flue runs, improper
location of flue outlets or wind conditions

4. Improper installation or operation of equipment, chimneys

or vents

5. Short stays in rented accommodation (e.g. flats, holiday

cottages etc)

6. Air tightness of house envelope resulting in a lack of air

for the combustion process

7. Inadequate exhaust of space heaters or fuel-burning

appliances

8. Vent fans/chimneys competing for air supply

Potential sources of carbon monoxide in your
home/office:

F. How can you maintain your alarm?

An alarm is useful only if it works. The following illustration
explains proper maintenance.

NOTE 

If a fault warning is shown after a manual or automatic

self test contact our helpline on +44 (0)1452 887570

Mains alarms with 9V PP3 style Alkaline battery
back up. i.e. CO850MBXi

The battery is expected to last at least 12 months.

Changing the battery (CO850MBXi).

Mains units with a replaceable battery backup the alarm will
beep once every minute.

If this happens change the battery as follows:-

• 

WARNING:

Battery replacement should only be done by a

competent person.

• Turn off the electricity supply to the alarm.

• Remove it from the pattress or backplate by removing the

screws at the top and bottom of the alarm.

• Undo the screw on the battery door and remove the door

and the battery from the alarm. (see below) Replace the
battery with a GP 1604A, Energiser 522, Duracell
MN1604 or MX1604. Place the new battery inside the
battery bay and refit the door and screw removed above.

• Test the alarm for correct operation using the test facility

whenever the battery is replaced. Do this before turning
on the main electricity supply.

NOTE:

The CO850MRLi has sealed Lithium Rechargeable

battery backup.  These batteries are not replaceable.

G. How can you test the alarm?

A green power light indicates that power is supplied. (See
previous section).To test the alarm, press, hold and then
release the Test/Reset button. A flashing red light will be
accompanied by a repeating series of four beeps followed by
a 5 second pause. Test weekly.

Test button will only function when alarm is fully installed on
the pattress.  This applies to all models Mi, MBXi and MRLi.

A. Audible and visual warnings

B. What to do if the alarm sounds

Yellow – Fault
Green – Power
Red – ALARM

Important:

Not suitable as a smoke, fire, or combustible

gas alarm. This device is not suitable for installation in a
hazardous location, as classified in BSEN 60079-10:1996.

WARNING: APPARATUS CONFORMING TO THIS
STANDARD (BSEN50291:2001) MAY NOT PROTECT
PEOPLE WHO ARE AT SPECIAL RISK FROM CARBON
MONOXIDE EXPOSURE BY REASON OF AGE,
PREGNANCY OR MEDICAL CONDITION. IF IN ANY
DOUBT, CONSULT YOUR MEDICAL PRACTITIONER.

Warning:

Do not attempt to open the unit or tamper

with the internal circuitry as this may result in the risk
of electric shock and/or unit malfunction.

Gas Supplier

Capita/Gas Safe Engineer

Hospital/Doctor

Warning

This device will only alarm if carbon monoxide

is detected. If not responded to, the presence of carbon
monoxide can be fatal.

Caution

This alarm will only indicate the presence of

carbon monoxide at the sensor. Carbon monoxide may be
present in other areas. 

BRK Brands Europe Ltd shall

not be obligated to pay for any carbon monoxide
investigation or service call.

Test/Reset Button

Test the alarm by
pressing the 
Test /Reset button
once a week. 

Vacuum the
outside of the
alarm including
the air vent on the
front and base.

Battery Access Door

This Carbon Monoxide alarm shall not be seen as a
substitute for proper servicing of fuel-burning appliances,
or sweeping of chimneys, or as a substitute for either a
smoke alarm or a combustible gas alarm.

OWNER’S
MANUAL

For more information
please write to:

BRK Brands Europe Ltd
Unit 6, Carter Court
Davy Way
Waterwells Business Park
Quedgeley
Gloucester
GL2 2DE
United Kingdom

BS EN 14604: 2005

Licence No. KM99052

2502-B0008 RevA

BS EN 50291: 2001

Licence No. KM57514

C

ARBON

M

ONOXIDE 

a

larm

When installing this alarm for use by others, please

leave this manual or a copy with the end user.

IMPORTANT: 

PLEASE READ

AND RETAIN THIS OWNERS MANUAL

MAINS POWERED MODELS,

230-240 VAC (

), 50-60 Hz, 7W:

CO850Mi, CO850MBXi, CO850MRLi

COVERS

•Simple Fitting

Instructions

•Location Guide
•Operating Guide
•Basic Safety Tips
•Simple

Maintenance
Instructions

PLEASE KEEP THIS MANUAL IN A SAFE PLACE

Car and

Garage

Gas or Oil

Boiler

Gas Water

Heater

Gas Appliances

Wood Burning

Stove

Wood or Gas

Fireplace

Portable Gas or 

Paraffin Heater

Clogged 

Chimney Flue

Cigarette Smoke

Battery Access Door Screw

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