POTENTIAL SOURCES OF CO IN THE HOME
Fuel-burning appliances like: portable heater, gas or wood burning
fireplace, gas kitchen range or cooktop, gas clothes dryer.
Damaged or insufficient venting: corroded or disconnected water
heater vent pipe, leaking chimney pipe or flue, or cracked heat
exchanger, blocked or clogged chimney opening.
Improper use of appliance/device: operating a barbecue grill or
vehicle in an enclosed area (like a garage or screened porch).
Transient CO Problems: “transient” or on-again-off-again CO problems
can be caused by outdoor conditions and other special circumstances.
The following conditions can result in transient CO situations:
1. Excessive spillage or reverse venting of fuel appliances caused by
outdoor conditions such as:
• Wind direction and/or velocity, including high, gusty winds.
Heavy air in the vent pipes (cold/humid air with extended periods
between cycles).
• Negative pressure differential resulting from the use of exhaust
fans.
• Several appliances running at the same time competing for
limited fresh 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.
2. Extended operation of unvented fuel burning devices (range, oven,
fireplace).
3. Temperature inversions, which can trap exhaust close to the ground.
4. Car idling in an open or closed attached garage, or near a home.
These conditions are dangerous because they can trap exhaust in your
home. Since these conditions can come and go, they are also hard to
recreate during a CO investigation.
HOW CAN I PROTECT MY FAMILY FROM
CO POISONING?
A CO Alarm is an excellent means of protection. It monitors the air and
sounds a loud alarm before Carbon Monoxide levels become threatening
for average, healthy adults.
A CO Alarm is not a substitute for proper maintenance of home
appliances.
To help prevent CO problems and reduce the risk of CO poisoning:
• Clean chimneys and flues yearly. Keep them free of debris,
leaves, and nests for proper air flow. Also, have a professional
check for rust and corrosion, cracks, or separations. These
conditions can prevent proper air movement and cause back-
drafting. Never “cap” or cover a chimney in any way that would
block air flow.
• Test and maintain all fuel-burning equipment annually. Many local
gas or oil companies and HVAC companies offer appliance
inspections for a nominal fee.
• Make regular visual inspections of all fuel-burning appliances.
Check appliances for excessive rust and scaling. Also check the
flame on the burner and pilot lights. The flame should be blue. A
yellow flame means fuel is not being burned completely and CO
may be present. Keep the blower door on the furnace closed.
Use vents or fans when they are available on all fuel-burning
appliances. Make sure appliances are vented to the outside. Do
not grill or barbecue indoors, or in garages or on screen porches.
• Check for exhaust backflow from CO sources. Check the draft
hood on an operating furnace for a backdraft. Look for cracks on
furnace heat exchangers.
• Check the house or garage on the other side of shared wall.
• Keep windows and doors open slightly. If you suspect that CO
is escaping into your home, open a window or a door. Opening
windows and doors can significantly decrease CO levels.
In addition, familiarize yourself with all enclosed materials. Read
this manual in its entirety, and make sure you understand what to
do if your CO Alarm sounds.
REGULATORY INFORMATION FOR
SMOKE/CO ALARMS
REGULATORY INFORMATION FOR CO ALARMS
WHAT LEVELS OF CO CAUSE AN ALARM?
Underwriters Laboratories Inc. Standard UL2034 requires residential CO
Alarms to sound when exposed to levels of CO and exposure times as
described below. 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 if CO, IT MUST ALARM
BETWEEN 60 and 240 MINUTES.
* Approximately 10% COHb exposure at levels of 10% to 95% Relative
Humidity (RH).
The unit is designed not to alarm when exposed to a constant level
of 30 ppm for 30 days.
CO Alarms are designed to alarm before there is an immediate life
threat. Since you cannot see or smell CO, never assume it’s not present.
•
An exposure to 100 ppm of CO for 20 minutes may not affect
average, healthy adults, but after 4 hours the same level may cause
headaches.
•
An exposure to 400 ppm of CO may cause headaches in average,
healthy adults after 35 minutes, but can cause death after 2 hours.
Standards: Underwriters Laboratories Inc. Single and Multiple Station
carbon monoxide alarms UL2034.
According to Underwriters Laboratories Inc. UL2034, Section 1-1.2:
“Carbon monoxide alarms covered by these requirements are intended
to respond to the presence of carbon monoxide from sources such as,
but not limited to, exhaust from internal-combustion engines, abnormal
operation of fuel-fired appliances, and fireplaces. CO Alarms are intended
to alarm at carbon monoxide levels below those that could cause a loss
of ability to react to the dangers of Carbon Monoxide exposure.” This CO
Alarm monitors the air at the Alarm, and is designed to alarm before CO
levels become life threatening. This allows you precious time to leave
the house and correct the problem. This is only possible if Alarms are
located, installed, and maintained as described in this manual.
Gas Detection at Typical Temperature and Humidity Ranges: The
CO Alarm is not formulated to detect CO levels below 30 ppm typically.
UL tested for false alarm resistance to Methane (500 ppm), Butane (300
ppm), Heptane (500 ppm), Ethyl Acetate (200 ppm), Isopropyl Alcohol
(200 ppm) and Carbon Dioxide (5000 ppm). Values measure gas and
vapor concentrations in parts per million.
Audible Alarm: 85 dB minimum at 10 feet (3 meters).
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