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What You Need to Know About CO
CO cannot be seen, smelled or tasted and can be fatal. The build-up of CO in the blood is called the
carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) level and interferes with the body’s ability to supply itself with oxygen.
Depending on the concentration, CO can kill in minutes. The most common sources of CO are
malfunctioning gas appliance used for heating and cooking, vehicles running in an attached garage,
blocked chimneys or fl ues, portable fuel burning heaters, fi replaces, fuel powered tools and operating a
grill in an enclosed space.
Indications of carbon monoxide poisoning include symptoms similar to the fl u, but with no fever. Other
symptoms include dizziness, fatigue, weakness, headache, nausea, vomiting, sleepiness and confusion.
Everyone is susceptible to the danger of CO, but experts agree that unborn babies, small children,
pregnant women, senior citizens and people with heart or respiratory problems are at the highest
risk for serious injury or death. Every year a qualifi ed technician should inspect and clean your heating
system, vents, chimney, and fl ues.
The following symptoms are related to carbon monoxide 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, fast heart rate.
Extreme exposure:
Unconsciousness, cardiorespiratory failure, death.
The above levels of exposure relate to healthy adults. Levels diff er for those at high risk. Exposure to
high levels of carbon monoxide can be fatal or cause permanent damage and disabilities. Many cases
of reported carbon monoxide poisoning indicate that while victims are aware they are not well, they
become so disoriented they are unable to save themselves by either exiting the building, or calling for
assistance. Also, young children and household pets may be the fi rst aff ected. Familiarization with the
eff ects of each level is important.
Following Conditions Can Result in Transient CO Situations:
•
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 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, fi replace, etc.).
•
Temperature inversions which can trap exhaust gases near the ground.
•
A car idling in an open or closed attached garage, or near a home.
Troubleshooting
Problems
Solutions
The alarm does not sound during a test.
Check whether the alarm is properly attached to the mounting
bracket.
Make sure you have pushed the Test button fi rmly.
False alarms are triggered intermittently
when residents are cooking, taking
showers, etc.
Check the location of your alarm (see “Installation Locations”).
Clean the alarm (see “Maintenance”).
LED fl ashes yellow once every 60 seconds
with one beep.
The battery is low. Push Test/Silence button once to silence for 10
hours.
Replace the alarm immediately.
LED fl ashes yellow 2 times every 40 or 60
seconds with 2 beeps.
The alarm is malfunctioning. Please clean your alarm or push Test/
Silence button once to attempt to reset the unit. If the problem still
occurs,
replace the alarm immediately.
LED flashes yellow 3 times every 60
seconds with 3 beeps.
The maximum lifetime (10 years) is reached. Push Test/Silence
button once to silence for 22 hours.
Replace the alarm immediately.
Environmental Protection
Waste electrical products should not be disposed of with household waste. Please
recycle where facilities exist. Check with Local Authority or retailer for recycling advice.
Manufacturer and Service Information
X-Sense Innovations Co., Ltd.
Address: B4-503-D, Tower B, Kexing Science Park, No. 15 Keyuan Road, Nanshan District, Shenzhen,
Guangdong, China
Email: [email protected]
