First Alert Carbon Monoxide Alarm User Manual

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 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 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.

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).

•   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 15% 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 moni-
tors 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 cor-
rect 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: 85dB minimum at 10 feet (3 meters).

INSTALLING SMOKE ALARMS IN MOBILE HOMES
For minimum security install one Smoke Alarm as close to each sleeping area as
possible. For more security, put one unit in each room. Many older mobile homes
(especially those built before 1978) have little or no insulation. If your mobile
home is not well insulated, or if you are unsure of the amount of insulation, it is
important to install units on inside walls only. Smoke Alarms should be installed
where temperatures normally remain between 40˚F (4˚C) and 100˚F (38˚C).

This equipment should be installed in accordance with NFPA (National Fire
Protection Association) 72 and 101. National Fire Protection Association, 
One Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02269-9101. Additional local building and
regulatory codes may apply in your area. Always check compliance require-
ments before beginning any installation.

Standards: Underwriters Laboratories Inc. Single and Multiple Station Smoke
Alarms 217.

NFPA 72 (National Fire Code)
Smoke Alarms shall be installed in each separate sleeping room, outside each
sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of the bedrooms and on each additional
story of the family living unit, including basements and excluding crawl spaces
and unfinished attics.
In new construction, Alarms shall be so arranged that operation of any one
Alarm shall cause the operation of all Alarms within the dwelling.

Smoke Detection-Are More Smoke Alarms Desirable? The required number
of Smoke Alarms might not provide reliable early warning protection for those
areas separated by a door from the areas protected by the required Smoke
Alarms. For this reason, it is recommended that the householder consider the
use of additional Smoke Alarms for those areas for increased protection. The
additional areas include the basement, bedrooms, dining room, furnace room,
utility room, and hallways not protected by the required Smoke Alarms. The
installation of Smoke Alarms in kitchens, attics (finished or unfinished), or
garages is not normally recommended, as these locations occasionally experi-
ence conditions that can result in improper operation.

California State Fire Marshal (CSFM)
Early warning detection is best achieved by the installation of fire detection
equipment in all rooms and areas of the household as follows: A Smoke Alarm
installed in each separate sleeping area (in the vicinity, but outside bedrooms),
and Heat or Smoke Alarms in the living rooms, dining rooms, bedrooms,
kitchens, hallways, finished attics, furnace rooms, closets, utility and storage
rooms, basements, and attached garages.

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), recommends one Smoke
Alarm on every floor, in every sleeping area, and in every bedroom. In new
construction, the Smoke Alarms must be AC powered and interconnected.
See “Agency Placement Recommendations” for details. For additional cover-
age, it is recommended that you install a Smoke Alarm in all rooms, halls, stor-
age areas, finished attics, and basements, where temperatures normally
remain between 40˚F (4˚C) and 100˚F (38˚C). Make sure no door or other
obstruction could keep smoke from reaching the Smoke Alarms.

More specifically, install Smoke Alarms:
•

On every level of your home, including finished attics and basements.

•

Inside every bedroom, especially if people sleep with the door partly or
completely closed.

•

In the hall near every sleeping area. If your home has multiple sleeping
areas, install a unit in each. If a hall is more than 40 feet long (12 meters),
install a unit at each end.

•

At the top of the first-to-second floor stairway, and at the bottom 
of the basement stairway.

Specific requirements for Smoke Alarm installation vary from state to state and
from region to region. Check with your local Fire Department for current
requirements in your area. It is recommended AC or AC/DC units be inter-
connected for added protection.