The CO Alarm will automatically reset once the CO has
cleared. Pressing the test/hush button resets the CO
Alarm immediately. If CO is still present the red light and
horn will turn on again after about 4 minutes.
The CO Alarm is no substitute for keeping chimneys
and flues clear and in good condition, and all of your
appliances serviced regularly according to the
manufacturer s instructions.
Do not fit alarm until all building work is completed to
avoid contamination.
2. CARBON MONOXIDE - THE SILENT KILLER
2.1 What is Carbon Monoxide ?
Congratulations on becoming the owner of an Ei Carbon
Monoxide Alarm. This will help protect you and your
household from the dangerous effects of Carbon Monoxide -
the silent killer. (CO is the chemical symbol).
Many are killed each year, and many more suffer ill health
from Carbon Monoxide (CO) poisoning. CO is an invisible,
odourless, tasteless and extremely toxic gas. It is produced
MAINS POWERED
CARBON MONOXIDE ALARMS
WITH RECHARGEABLE LITHIUM CELL BACK-UP
INSTRUCTION LEAFLET
Read and retain carefully for as long as the product is being
used. It contains vital information on the operation and instal-
lation. The leaflet should be regarded as part of the product.
If you are just installing the unit, the leaflet must be given to
the householder. The leaflet is to be given to any subsequent
user.
1. READ THIS FIRST
WARNINGS
(1) The Alarm should be permanently wired to the mains by a
qualified electrician in accordance with IEE wiring
regulations.
(2) Do not locate the CO Alarm where it could be exposed to
dripping, splashing or condensation (e.g. bathroom,
above an electric kettle etc).
Install the Carbon Monoxide Alarm (CO Alarm) in or
near every room that contains a fuel burning appliance,
particularly rooms where people spend a lot of time e.g.
bedrooms, kitchens and sitting rooms.
Install preferably on the ceiling (300mm from walls) in
rooms with an appliance. Install between 1.85m to 3m
horizontally from appliance. In rooms remote from the
appliance install about 1.5 to 2m above floor level, at
breath level.
Regularly check that the green power light is on, so
standby rechargeable cells will fully charge.
Important:
The CO Alarm will not work if the mains supply is off and
the rechargeable cells are depleted.
Test the unit weekly by pressing the test/hush button-
the horn will sound.
Replace sensor module after 5 years operation (see
page 16).
What to do when the alarm sounds:
(1)
Open the doors and windows to ventilate.
(2)
Turn off the appliance where possible and stop
using the appliance. (The alarm can be silenced
immediately by pushing the test/hush button).
(3)
Evacuate the property leaving the doors and
windows open.
(4)
Ring your gas or other fuel supplier on their
emergency number; keep the number in a promi-
nent place.
(5)
Do not re-enter the property until the alarm
has stopped. (If the alarm has been silenced by
pressing the test/hush button, wait at least 5 min-
utes so the alarm can check that the CO has
cleared).
(6)
Get medical help immediately for anyone suf-
fering the effects of Carbon Monoxide poisoning
(headache, nausea), and advise that Carbon
Monoxide poisoning is suspected.
(7)
Do not use the appliance again until it has
been checked by an expert. In the case of gas
appliances this must be a CORGI registered
installer.
When the CO Alarm detects abnormal levels of CO
(above 150ppm CO for 30 minutes) the horn sounds
and the
red light
starts to flash. At higher levels of CO
the alarm will turn on sooner (see table B). When it
detects levels of CO above 50ppm the red light flashes
every 5 seconds but the horn does not sound.
by appliances or vehicles burning fuels, such as coal, oil,
natural/bottled gas, paraffin, wood, petrol, diesel, charcoal
etc. CO is absorbed by red blood cells in the lungs in
preference to oxygen - this results in rapid damage to the
heart and brain from oxygen starvation.
High levels of CO in a house can be caused by:
¥
Incorrectly or poorly installed fuel-burning appliances.
¥
Blocked or cracked chimneys/flues.
¥
Blocked vents or draught-proofing which makes areas
¥
with fuel burning appliances or fireplaces airtight.
¥
Engines of cars, lawnmowers etc. left running in confined
¥
spaces.
¥
Portable paraffin or gas heaters in badly ventilated
¥
rooms.
2.2 Symptoms of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Most people know that high levels of CO are harmful, howev-
er the period of exposure is also important.
The following symptoms are related to Carbon Monoxide poi-
soning 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, car-
diorespiratory failure, death.
A high level of CO for a short period (e.g. 350 ppm CO for 30
minutes) will cause the same symptoms, a slight headache,
as a lower level for a longer time (e.g. 150 ppm for 90 min-
utes). Table A shows how exposure to different concentrations
of CO generally affects people.
Many cases of reported Carbon Monoxide poisoning indicate
that while victims are aware they are not well, they become
so disorientated they are unable to save themselves by either
leaving the building or calling for assistance. Young children
and household pets may be the first affected.
Table A: Effects of Cumulative CO Exposure
35
The maximum allowable concentration for continuous exposure
in any 8 hour period according to OSHA *.
150
Slight headache after 1.5 hours.
200
Slight headache, fatigue, dizziness, nausea after 2-3 hours.
400
Frontal headaches within 1-2 hours, life threatening after 3 hours,
also maximum parts per million in flue gas (on an air free basis)
according to US Environmental Protection Agency.
800
Dizziness, nausea and convulsions within 45 minutes.
Unconsciousness within 2 hours. Death within 2-3 hours.
1,600
Headache, dizziness and nausea within 20 minutes.
Death within 1 hour.
3,200
Headache, dizziness and nausea within 5-10 minutes.
Death within 25-30 minutes.
6,400
Headache, dizziness and nausea within 1-2 minutes.
Death within 10-15 minutes.
12,800
Death within 1-3 minutes.
ppm = parts per million
*OSHA Occupational Safety & Health Association
2.3 What happens when your CO Alarm detects Carbon
Monoxide ?
When the Alarm detects dangerous levels of CO, it sounds a
loud alarm and flashes the red alarm light. The digital display
indicates the CO level in parts per million, ppm CO, (Model
Ei261D only).
Table B: CO Alarm Response
*
Slight Headache
Table B shows how the built in microprocessor reacts to dif-
ferent levels of CO gas and exposure time. At higher levels of
CO the alarm turns on sooner. The rate of flashing of the red
light indicates the level of CO.
If your CO Alarm sounds follow the instructions on
page 2.
When ventilation is provided by leaving the window and doors
open, the CO build up may have dissipated by the time help
arrives and the alarm may have stopped sounding. Although
your problem may appear temporarily solved it is crucial that
the source of the CO is determined and appropriate repairs
made.
NEVER IGNORE THE ALARM.
Pre-Alarm:
When the alarm detects over 50ppm CO the red
light flashes every 5 seconds. This helps locate CO leaks as
the unit gives an indication straight away. (Without this feature
the CO level would need to be at 150ppm CO for 30 minutes
for an indication to be given). Note the Pre-Alarm signal may
be triggered by CO coming for example, from cooking with
gas, from car engines or from nearby barbecues. This is usu-
ally not a concern unless the Pre-Alarm signal persists for
over an hour and the CO source is unknown.
NOTE
: The CO Alarm may sound if cigarette smoke is blown
into it, or aerosols are released nearby.
CO ALARM MEMORY.
When the test button is pressed the horn sounds and the indi-
cator lights flash as follows:-
- Red Light is Off
if no CO is detected since reset or power-
up.
- Slow Flashing Red Light
(every 2 seconds) if 150ppm
CO has been detected since power-up.
- Fast Flashing Red Light
(every 0.5 second) if 350ppm
CO has been detected since power-up.
This tells you if the unit has detected CO in your absence
and helps to detect and locate leaks, monitor premises etc.
Reset Memory
by holding down the test button for over 20
seconds until the red light stops flashing. cover the horn
with a cloth to muffle the alarm.
Ei261-D Only
When the test button is held the display shows the previous
peak reading. This tells you if the unit has detected CO in your
absence and helps to detect and locate leaks, monitor
premises etc.
When the test button is held for 20 seconds the peak reading
resets to zero. (Cover the horn with a cloth to muffle the loud
alarm).
Please note the memory will also be reset when the unit is
removed from the mounting plate.
3. WHERE TO PLACE CO ALARMS
3.1 Suitable Locations
Ei Electronics recommends that the advice of the
Health &
Safety Executive (HSE) UK
is followed as this is based on
research done at the BRE subsequent to the issuing of the
BS 7860 : 1996 standard.
The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) UK
give the following
recommendations for rooms where CO alarms should be
located — these are in order of priority:
- In rooms with flueless or open flued appliances.
- In rooms where the occupant spends most time
- In bedrooms
British Standard BS 7860:1996 give the following advice:
Ideally you should have a detector in or near every room that contains a fuel-
burning appliance.
However, if you have more than one appliance, but only one detector, you should
take the following into consideration when deciding where best to put the detec-
tor.
(1)
If there is an appliance in the room where you sleep, you should put the
detector in that room.
(2)
If there is an appliance in a room that you use a lot, e.g. a sitting room, you
should put it in that room.
(3)
If you live in a bedsit, put the detector as far away from the cooking appli-
ances as possible, but near to the place where you sleep.
(4)
If the appliance is in a room not normally used (e.g. a boiler room), put the
detector just outside the room so that you will be able to hear the alarm
more easily.
3.2 Unsuitable Locations
Do not place the CO Alarm in any of the following areas.
(1)
Within 1.85 metres (6 feet) of the appliance.
(2)
Outside the building.
(3)
In or below a cupboard.
(4)
In a damp or humid area.
(5)
Directly above a sink or cooker.
(6)
Next to a door or window or anywhere that it would be
affected by draughts.
(7)
Where it would be obstructed, e.g. by curtains
or furniture.
(8)
In an area where the temperature could drop below
—5¡C or rise above 40¡C.
(9)
Where dirt or dust could block the sensor and stop it
working.
(10) Where it could be easily knocked or damaged, or where
it could be accidentally turned off or removed.
(11) In a bathroom or where the CO alarm may be exposed
to water splashes or condensation (e.g. above an elec-
tric kettle).
(12) Near paint, thinners, solvent fumes or air fresheners.
1
2
3
5
6
7
8
4
Model Ei 261
Model Ei 261D
WITH DIGITAL DISPLAY
DIGITAL DISPLAY
Ei261D ONLY
' Ei ELECTRONICS 2001
P/N. B14332 R1
?
?
?
LOCATION FOR
TAMPERPROOF SCREW
PUSH SMALL
SCREWDRIVER
STRAIGHT IN
TO RELEASE.
PUSH COVER
BACK
WARNING
: DISCONNECT MAINS BEFORE REMOVING ALARM FROM
CEILING OR WALL
TAMPERPROOF CATCH
MOUNTING PLATE
SIDE VIEW
GAS ENTRY HOLES
Figure 1
ppm
Concentration
of CO in Air
Inhalation Time (approx)
and Symptoms Developed
CO Level
ppm
Horn On
within
Red
Alarm Light
Time to first
Symptom*
0 ppm
50ppm
150 ppm
350 ppm
Off
Off
30 min
6 min
-
-
90 min
30 min
Off
Flashes every 5 sec
Flashes every 2 sec
Flashes every 0.5 sec
* If they contain or are near a fuel-burning appliance
Figure 2
Kitchen *
Bedroom *
Sitting Room *
?
