First Alert Carbon Monoxide Alarm User Manual
4
WEEKLY TESTING
• NEVER use an open flame of any kind to test this unit. You might
accidentally damage or set fire to the unit or to your home. The
built-in test switch accurately tests the unit’s operation as required
by Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. (UL). If you choose to use an
aerosol smoke product to test the Smoke Alarm, be certain to use
one that has been Listed to Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. Safety
Standards, and use it only as directed. Use of non-UL Listed prod-
ucts or improper use of UL Listed products may affect the Smoke
Alarm’s sensitivity, and may void your warranty. NEVER use vehicle
exhaust! Exhaust may cause permanent damage and voids your
warranty.
built-in test switch accurately tests the unit’s operation as required
by Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. (UL). If you choose to use an
aerosol smoke product to test the Smoke Alarm, be certain to use
one that has been Listed to Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. Safety
Standards, and use it only as directed. Use of non-UL Listed prod-
ucts or improper use of UL Listed products may affect the Smoke
Alarm’s sensitivity, and may void your warranty. NEVER use vehicle
exhaust! Exhaust may cause permanent damage and voids your
warranty.
• DO NOT stand close to the Alarm when the horn is sounding.
Exposure at close range may be harmful to your hearing. When
testing, step away when horn starts sounding.
testing, step away when horn starts sounding.
It is important to test this unit every week to make sure it is working prop-
erly. Using the test button is the recommended way to test this Smoke/CO
Alarm. Push and hold the Test/Silence button on the cover until you hear a
“chirp.” The “chirp” marks the start of the self-test sequence.
erly. Using the test button is the recommended way to test this Smoke/CO
Alarm. Push and hold the Test/Silence button on the cover until you hear a
“chirp.” The “chirp” marks the start of the self-test sequence.
• First, the BATTERY (green) and SERVICE (yellow) lights will flash
briefly—this is normal.
• Next, the Smoke Alarm will sound. The smoke symbol will flash, and
you will hear this horn pattern: 3 beeps, pause, 3 beeps, pause.
• Finally, the CO Alarm will sound. The CO symbol will flash, and you will
hear this horn pattern: 4 beeps, pause, 4 beeps, pause.
If the unit does not alarm, make sure the battery is correctly installed, and test
again. If the unit still does not alarm, replace it immediately.
again. If the unit still does not alarm, replace it immediately.
NOTE: During testing, if the yellow service light comes on and the horn
“chirps” 3 times, the device should be serviced or replaced. After test-
ing, if the horn starts to “chirp” every 30 seconds, replace the battery
immediately.
ing, if the horn starts to “chirp” every 30 seconds, replace the battery
immediately.
REGULAR MAINTENANCE
Use only the replacement batteries listed below. The unit may not
operate properly with other batteries. Never use rechargeable batteries
since they may not provide a constant charge.
operate properly with other batteries. Never use rechargeable batteries
since they may not provide a constant charge.
This unit has been designed to be as maintenance-free as possible, but there
are a few simple things you must do to keep it working properly:
are a few simple things you must do to keep it working properly:
•
Test it at least once a week.
•
Clean the Smoke/CO Alarm at least once a month; gently vacuum the
outside of the Smoke/CO Alarm using your household vacuum’s soft
brush attachment. Test the Smoke/CO Alarm. Never use water, cleaners or
solvents since they may damage the unit.
outside of the Smoke/CO Alarm using your household vacuum’s soft
brush attachment. Test the Smoke/CO Alarm. Never use water, cleaners or
solvents since they may damage the unit.
•
If the Smoke/CO Alarm becomes contaminated by excessive dirt, dust
and/or grime, and cannot be cleaned to avoid unwanted alarms, replace
the unit immediately.
and/or grime, and cannot be cleaned to avoid unwanted alarms, replace
the unit immediately.
•
Relocate the unit if it sounds frequent unwanted alarms. See “Where This
Alarm Should Not Be Installed” for details.
Alarm Should Not Be Installed” for details.
Choosing a replacement battery:
Your Smoke/CO Alarm requires one standard 9V battery. The following batter-
ies are acceptable as replacements: Duracell #MN1604, (Ultra) #MX1604;
Eveready (Energizer) #522. You may also use a Lithium battery like the Ultralife
U9VL-J for longer service life between battery changes. These batteries are
available at many local retail stores.
ies are acceptable as replacements: Duracell #MN1604, (Ultra) #MX1604;
Eveready (Energizer) #522. You may also use a Lithium battery like the Ultralife
U9VL-J for longer service life between battery changes. These batteries are
available at many local retail stores.
Actual battery service life depends on the Smoke/CO Alarm and the environ-
ment in which it is installed. All the batteries specified above are acceptable
replacement batteries for this unit. Regardless of the manufacturer’s suggest-
ed battery life, you MUST replace the battery immediately once the unit starts
“chirping” (the “low battery warning”).
ment in which it is installed. All the batteries specified above are acceptable
replacement batteries for this unit. Regardless of the manufacturer’s suggest-
ed battery life, you MUST replace the battery immediately once the unit starts
“chirping” (the “low battery warning”).
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT CO
WHAT IS CO?
CO is an invisible, odorless, tasteless gas produced when fossil fuels do not
burn completely, or are exposed to heat (usually fire). Electrical appliances
typically do not produce CO.
These fuels include: Wood, coal, charcoal, oil, natural gas, gasoline,
kerosene, and propane.
Common appliances are often sources of CO. If they are not properly main-
tained, are improperly ventilated, or malfunction, CO levels can rise quickly.
CO is a real danger now that homes are more energy efficient. “Air-tight”
homes with added insulation, sealed windows, and other weatherproofing can
“trap” CO inside.
burn completely, or are exposed to heat (usually fire). Electrical appliances
typically do not produce CO.
These fuels include: Wood, coal, charcoal, oil, natural gas, gasoline,
kerosene, and propane.
Common appliances are often sources of CO. If they are not properly main-
tained, are improperly ventilated, or malfunction, CO levels can rise quickly.
CO is a real danger now that homes are more energy efficient. “Air-tight”
homes with added insulation, sealed windows, and other weatherproofing can
“trap” CO inside.
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.
Exposure to Carbon Monoxide can cause brain damage, death.
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.
Exposure to Carbon Monoxide can cause brain damage, death.
This CO Alarm measures 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 mini-
mum over a long period of time. The CO Alarm generally sounds an alarm
before the onset of symptoms in average, healthy adults. Why is this impor-
tant? Because you need to be warned of a potential CO problem while you
can still react in time. In many reported cases of CO exposure, victims may be
aware that they are not feeling well, but become disoriented and can no longer
react 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 respi-
ratory 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!
extremely high in a short period of time, or if CO levels reach a certain mini-
mum over a long period of time. The CO Alarm generally sounds an alarm
before the onset of symptoms in average, healthy adults. Why is this impor-
tant? Because you need to be warned of a potential CO problem while you
can still react in time. In many reported cases of CO exposure, victims may be
aware that they are not feeling well, but become disoriented and can no longer
react 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 respi-
ratory 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!
FINDING THE SOURCE OF CO AFTER AN ALARM
Carbon monoxide is an odorless, invisible gas, which often makes it difficult 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:
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.
• Problem caused by “backdrafting.”
• Transient CO problem caused by special circumstances.
Because CO may dissipate by the time an investigator arrives, it may be diffi-
cult to locate the source of CO. BRK Brands, Inc. shall not be obligated to
pay for any carbon monoxide investigation or service call.
cult 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 vent-
ing: 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.
portable heater, gas or wood
burning fireplace, gas kitchen
range or cooktop, gas clothes
dryer.
Damaged or insufficient vent-
ing: 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
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
• 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.
Since these conditions can come and go, they are also hard to recreate during
a CO investigation.