User's Manual

2533-7222-00 7 / 8
Information about carbon monoxide:
Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless poison
gas that can be fatal when inhaled. CO inhibits the blood’s
capacity to carry oxygen.
Periodically review this detector user guide and discuss your
CO Alarm emergency procedure with all members of your
family. Never ignore a CO Alarm. A true alarm is an indication
of potentially dangerous levels of CO. CO detectors are
designed to alert you to the presence of CO before an
emergency - before most people would experience symptoms
of CO poisoning, giving you time to resolve the problem calmly.
Determine if anyone in the household is experiencing
symptoms of CO poisoning. Many cases of reported CO
poisoning indicate that while victims are aware they are not
well, they become so disoriented they are unable to save
themselves either by exiting the building or calling for
assistance. Also, young children and household pets may be
the first affected. You should take extra precautions to protect
high-risk persons from CO exposure because they may
experience ill effects from CO at levels that would not ordinarily
affect a healthy adult.
Symptoms of CO poisoning
The following common symptoms are related to CO 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, confusion, fast heart rate.
• Extreme exposure = Unconsciousness, convulsions,
cardio-respiratory failure, death.
If you experience even mild symptoms of CO poisoning,
consult your doctor immediately.
Conditions that can produce carbon
monoxide
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 connection vibrating loose from clothes dryers,
furnaces, or water heaters.
• Obstructions in or unconventional vent pipe designs which
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
What CO detectors can and cannot do
CO Alarms provide early warning of the presence of CO,
usually before a healthy adult would experience symptoms.
This early warning is possible however, only if your CO
detector is located, installed, and maintained as described in
this user guide.
Because carbon monoxide is a cumulative poison, long-term
exposures to low levels may cause symptoms, as well as
short-term exposures to high levels. This unit has a time-
weighted alarm; the higher the level of CO present, the sooner
the alarm will be triggered.
This CO detector can only warn you of the presence of CO. It
does not prevent CO from occurring, nor can it solve an
existing CO problem. If your unit has alarmed and you’ve
provided ventilation by leaving your windows and doors open,
the CO buildup may have dissipated by the time help responds.
Although your problem may appear to be temporarily solved, it
is crucial that the source of the CO is determined and that the
appropriate repairs are made.
CO detectors have limitation. Like any other electronic device,
CO detectors are not fool-proof. CO detectors have a limited
operational life. You must test your CO detector weekly,
because it could fail to operate at any time.
If your CO detector fails to test properly, or if its self-diagnostic
test reveals a malfunction, immediately have the unit replaced.
This detector will not monitor CO levels while in a trouble
condition.
Caution: This CO detector can only sense CO that
reaches the unit’s sensor. It is possible that CO may be
present in other areas without reaching the detector. The rate
and ability with which CO reaches the detector may be affected
by:
• Doors or other obstructions.
• Fresh air from a vent, an open window, or other source.
• Fresh air from a vent, an open window, or other source.
• CO being present on one level of the home and not
reaching a CO detector installed on a different level. (For
example, CO in the basement may not reach a detector on
the second level, near the bedrooms).
For these reasons, we recommend you provide complete
coverage by placing a CO Detector on every level of the home.
CO Detectors should not be used to detect the presence of
natural gas (methane), propane, butane, or other combustible
fuels.
Instruct children never to touch or otherwise interfere with the
alarm. Warn children of the dangers of CO poisoning.
Important warning statements
This CO detector is designed to detect carbon monoxide from
ANY source of combustion. It is NOT designed to detect
smoke, fire, or any other gas.