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Standards: Underwriters Laboratories Inc. Single and Multiple Station carbon
monoxide alarms UL2034.
Accor
ding 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 fr
om inter
nal-combustion engines, abnormal operation of fuel-fir
ed
appliances, and fireplaces. CO Alarms are intended to alarm at carbon
monoxide levels below those that could cause a loss of ability to r
eact 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 pr
ecious time to leave the house and corr
ect the pr
oblem.
This is only possible if Alarms are located, installed, and maintained as
described in this manual.
Gas Detection at T
ypical T
emperatur
e and Humidity Ranges:
The CO Alarm
is not formulated to detect CO levels below 30 ppm typically. UL tested for false
alarm r
esistance 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).
FINDING THE SOURCE OF CO AFTER AN ALARM
Carbon monoxide is an odorless, invisible gas, which often makes it dif
ficult
to locate the source of CO after an alarm. These are a few of the factors that
can make it difficult to locate sources of CO:
•
House well ventilated before the investigator arrives.
• Problem caused by “backdrafting.”
• Transient CO problem caused by special circumstances.
Because CO may dissipate by the time an investigator arrives, it may be
difficult to locate the source of CO.
BRK Brands, Inc. shall not be obligated
to pay for any carbon monoxide investigation or service call.
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 pr
essur
e differential resulting from the use of exhaust fans.
•
Several appliances running at the same time competing for limited fr
esh air
.
•
V
ent pipe connections vibrating loose fr
om clothes dryers, fur
naces, 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 ar
e danger
ous 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.
UNDERWRITERS LABORATORIES INC. UL2034
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 measur
ed 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 of 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.
SYMPTOMS OF CO POISONING
These symptoms are related to CO POISONING and should be discussed
with ALL household members.
Mild Exposure: Slight headache, nausea, vomiting, fatigue (“flu-like” symptoms).
Medium Exposure: Throbbing headache, drowsiness, confusion, fast heart rate.
Extreme Exposure: Convulsions, unconsciousness, heart and lung failure.
Exposur
e to Carbon Monoxide can cause brain damage, death.
This CO Alarm measur
es exposure to CO over time. It alarms if CO levels
are extremely high in a short period of time, or if CO levels reach a certain
minimum over a long period of time. The CO Alarm generally sounds an alarm
befor
e the onset of symptoms in average, healthy adults.
Why is this important? Because you need to be war
ned of a potential CO
problem while you can still react in time. In many reported cases of CO
exposur
e, victims may be aware that they are not feeling well, but become
disoriented and can no longer r
eact well enough to exit the building or get
help. Also, young children and pets may be the first affected. The average
healthy adult might not feel any symptoms when the CO Alarm sounds.
However
, people with cardiac or respiratory problems, infants, unborn babies,
pregnant mothers, or elderly people can be more quickly and severely affected
by CO. If you experience even mild symptoms of CO poisoning, consult your
doctor immediately!
HOW CAN I PROTECT MY F
AMILY?
A CO Alarm is an excellent means of pr
otection. It monitors the air and sounds
a loud alarm befor
e carbon monoxide levels become threatening for average,
healthy adults.
A CO Alarm is not a substitute for proper maintenance of home appliances.
T
o 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
corr
osion, cracks, or separations. These conditions can prevent proper
air movement and cause backdrafting. 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 HV
AC 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 bur
ned completely and CO may be present. Keep the
blower door on the fur
nace closed. Use vents or fans when they are
available on all fuel-burning appliances. Make sure appliances are vented
to the outside. Do not use grills or barbecue indoors, or in garages or
on scr
een 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.
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