BRK electronic C O250 Carbon Monoxide Alarm User Manual


 
CO Alarm goes back into alarm 4 minutes after you
press the Test/Silence button.
CO levels indicate a potentially dangerous situation. IF YOU ARE FEELING SYMPTOMS OF CO
POISONING, EVACUATE your home and call 911 or
the Fire Department. If not, press the Test/Silence
button again and
keep ventilating your home.
T
he light flashes (RED) and the horn sounds
3 “chirps” every minute.
M
ALFUNCTION SIGNAL.
C
O Alarm needs to be
r
e
placed.
C
O Alarms under warranty should be returned to
manufactur
e
r for re
placement. See “Limited
W
arranty” for details.
PROBLEM...
THIS MEANS... YOU SHOULD...
T
he light continues to flash (RED) and the horn
chirps” once every minute.
L
ow battery warning.
Install a new 9V alkaline battery
*.
WHERE TO INSTALL CO ALARMS
T
he National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends that a CO Alarm
should be centrally located outside of each separate sleeping area in the
i
mmediate vicinity of the bedrooms. For added pr
otection, install additional
C
O Alarms in each separate bedroom, and on every level of your home.
I
f your bedro
om hallway is longer than 40 feet (12 meters), install a CO Alarm
at BOTH ends of the hallway.
This alarm can be installed on the wall or ceiling. If the alarm is to be wall
m
ounted it is recommended that the unit be mounted with hinge down so
t
he words "Carbon Monoxide Alarm" is readable.
I
n a Single-level Home:
Install at least one CO Alarm near or within each separate sleeping area.
For added protection, install an additional CO Alarm at least 20 feet
(
6 meters) away fro
m the furn
ace or fuel burn
ing heat source.
In a Multi-level Home:
Install at least one CO Alarm near or within each separate sleeping ar
e
a.
F
or added pro
tection, install at least one CO Alarm on each level of the
home.
For added protection, install an additional CO Alarm at least 20 feet
(6 meters) away from the furnace or fuel burning heat source.
In Mobile Homes:
Install CO Alarms on inside walls ONL
Y
. Uninsulated outside walls and
roofs of mobile homes often transfer heat and cold from outdoors. The
Alarm should be located at least 152 mm (6 inches) from all exterior walls
and at least 305 mm (12 inches) from supply or return vents.
WHERE CO ALARMS SHOULD NOT BE
INST
ALLED
DO NOT LOCA
TE THIS CO ALARM:
In garages, kitchens, furnace rooms, or in any extremely dusty, dirty or
gr
easy ar
eas.
Within 5 feet (1.5 meters) of any cooking appliance.
In extremely humid areas. This alarm should be at least 10 feet (3 meters)
from a bath or shower, sauna, humidifier, vaporizer, dishwasher, laundry
room, utility room or other source of high humidity.
In areas where temperature is colder than 40˚ F (4˚ C) or hotter than 100˚ F
(38˚ C). These areas include unconditioned crawl spaces, unfinished
attics, uninsulated or poorly insulated ceilings, porches, and garages.
In turbulent air
, like near ceiling fans, heat vents, air conditioners,
fresh air returns, or open windows. Blowing air may prevent CO from
reaching the sensors.
Outside the Mobile Home.
In direct sunlight.
This CO Alarm is designed for use inside a single-family home or
apartment. It is not meant to be used in common lobbies, hallways,
or basements of multi-family buildings unless working CO Alarms
are also installed in each family living unit. CO Alarms in common
ar
eas may not be hear
d fr
om inside individual family living units.
This CO Alar
m alone is not a suitable substitute for complete
detection systems in places which house many people, like hotels
or dormitories, unless a CO Alarm is also placed in each unit.
DO NOT use this CO Alarm in warehouses, industrial or commercial
buildings, special-purpose non-residential buildings, or airplanes.
This CO Alarm is specifically designed for residential use, and may
not provide adequate protection in non-residential applications.
CO ALARM
Sensor has detected enough CO to trigger an alarm. Light flashes rapidly
and horn sounds loudly (repeating
4 beeps, pause)
. See “If Your CO Alarm
Sounds” for details.
During an alar
m, move ever
yone to a sour
ce of fr
esh
air. DO NOT move the CO Alarm!
DURING TESTING
Light flashes Red with the horn pattern
(4 beeps, pause, 4 beeps)
, simulating
a CO Alarm condition.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
I
ntroduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
Basic Safety Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
H
ow Your CO Alarm Works . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
Understanding Your CO Alarm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
How To Install This CO Alarm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-3
Where to Install CO Alarms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
W
here CO Alarms Should NOT Be Installed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
If Your CO Alarm Sounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
If the Alarm Signal Sounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
U
sing the Silence Feature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
T
esting and Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Weekly Testing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
R
egular Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
W
hat You Need To Know About CO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-6
W
hat is CO? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
S
ymptoms of CO Poisoning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
F
inding the Source of CO After an Alarm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
H
ow Can I Protect My Family? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
P
otential Sources of CO in the Home . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-6
R
egulatory Information for CO Alarms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-6
G
eneral Limitations Of CO Alarms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-6
Troubleshooting Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-6
L
imited Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-6
©
2010 BRK Brands, Inc. All rights reserved.
Distributed by BRK Brands, Inc.
3
901 Liberty Street Road, Aurora, IL 60504-8122
C
onsumer Aff
airs: (800) 323-9005
www.brkelectronics.com • www.firstalert.com
INTRODUCTION
BASIC SAFETY INFORMATION
D
angers, Wa
rnings, and Cautions alert you to important operating
i
nstructions or to potentially hazardous situations. Pay special
attention to these items.
THIS IS NOT A SMOKE ALARM! This CO Alarm is designed to detect
c
arbon monoxide from ANY source of combustion. It is NOT designed
t
o detect smoke, fire
, or any other gas.
This CO Alarm is approved for use in single-family residences.
It is NOT designed for marine use.
T
his CO Alarm
will only indicate the pre
sence of carbon monoxide gas
at the sensor. Carbon monoxide gas may be present in other areas.
The Silence Feature is for your convenience only and will not correct
a CO problem. Always check your home for a potential problem after
any alar
m. Failur
e to do so can result in injury or death.
NEVER ignore your Carbon Monoxide Alarm if it alarms. Refer to
If Yo
ur CO Alarm
Sounds” for more information. Failure to do so
can result in injury or death.
T
e
st the CO Alarm once a week. If the CO Alarm ever fails to test
correctly, have it replaced immediately! If the CO Alarm is not working
p
roperly, it cannot alert you to a problem.
This product is intended for use in ordinary indoor locations of family
l
iving units. It is not designed to measure CO levels in compliance
with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) commer-
c
ial or industrial standards. Individuals with medical conditions that
may make them mor
e
sensitive to carbon monoxide may consider
using warning devices which provide audible and visual signals for
c
arbon monoxide concentrations under 30 ppm. For additional
infor
m
ation on carbon monoxide and your medical condition contact
your physician.
HOW YOUR CO ALARM WORKS
GENERAL INFORMA
TION
This CO Alarm does not operate without working batteries.
Removing the batteries, or failure to replace them at the end of their
service life, removes your protection.
A CO Alarm measures the CO levels in the air
. It will alarm if CO levels rise
quickly (if the heat exchanger on your furnace breaks, for example), or if CO
is consistently present (a slow CO leak on a fuel-burning appliance).
This Carbon Monoxide Alarm featur
es a permanently installed sensor and an
85 dB alarm hor
n. It also has a silence feature to temporarily quiet the alarm
horn.
1 2 3 4 5
LIMITED WARRANTY
BRK Brands, Inc. ("BRK") the maker of BRK
®
brand and First Alert
®
brand pr
oducts, warrants that for a period of seven years fr
om the date of pur
chase, this product
will be free from defects in material and workmanship. BRK, at its option, will repair or replace this product or any component of the product found to be defective
during the warranty period. Replacement will be made with a new or remanufactured product or component. If the product is no longer available, replacement may
be made with a similar product of equal or greater value. This is your exclusive warranty.
This warranty is valid for the original r
etail pur
chaser fr
om the date of initial r
etail pur
chase and is not transferable. Keep the original sales r
eceipt. Proof of purchase
is required to obtain warranty performance. BRK dealers, service centers, or retail stores selling BRK products do not have the right to alter, modify or any way
change the terms and conditions of this warranty.
This warranty does not cover normal wear of parts or damage resulting from any of the following: negligent use or misuse of the product, use on improper
voltage or current, use contrary to the operating instructions, disassembly, repair or alteration by anyone other than BRK or an authorized service center.
Further, the warranty does not cover acts of God, such as fire, flood, hurricanes and tornadoes or any batteries that are included with this unit.
BRK shall not be liable for any incidental or consequential damages caused by the br
each of any expr
ess or implied warranty. Except to the extent prohibited by
applicable law, any implied warranty of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose is limited in duration to the duration of the above warranty. Some states,
provinces, or jurisdictions do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages or limitations on how long an implied warranty lasts, so
the above limitations or exclusion may not apply to you. This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights that vary from state to
state, or province to province.
How to Obtain Warranty Service
Service:
If service is required, do not return the product to your retailer. In order to obtain warranty service, contact the Consumer Affairs Division at 1-800-323-9005,
7:30 AM to 5:00 PM, Central Standar
d Time, Monday thr
ough Friday. To assist in serving you, please have the model number and date of purchase available when
calling.
For W
ar
ranty Ser
vice r
etur
n to:
25 Spur Drive, El Paso, TX 79906
Batter
y:
BRK Brands, Inc. makes no warranty
, expr
ess or implied, written or oral, including that of mer
chantability or fitness for any particular purpose, with r
espect
to battery.
6
UNDERST
ANDING YOUR CO ALARM
LOW BATTERY WARNING
The light continues to flash (RED) and the hor
n also “chirps” once every
minute. This warning should last for up to 30 days, but you should replace
the batteries as soon as possible.
WELCOME
CHIRP
Hor
n chirps and light blinks once when batteries are first connected.
ALARM RECEIVING BATTERY POWER
Light flashes every minute. Horn is silent.
CO ALARM REQUIRES SERVICE (MALFUNCTION SIGNAL)
The light flashes (RED) and the horn sounds 3 “chirps” every minute.
CO Alarm needs to be replaced.
CO ALARM HAS REACHED ITS END OF LIFE
The light flashes (RED) and the hor
n sounds 5 “chirps” every minute.
CO Alarm needs to be replaced.
GARAGE
SUGGESTED AREAS FOR INSTALLING ADDITIONAL CO ALARMS
BEDROOM
B
EDROOM
HALL
LIVING ROOM
KITCHEN
BASEMENT
BEDROOM
R
EQUIRED TO MEET NFPA RECOMMENDATIONS
I
NSTALLATION
R
ead “Where To Install CO Alarms” before starting.
B
efore you start installation,
f
ind the pair of self-adhesive labels included
w
ith this CO Alarm. On each label write in the phone number of your emer-
gency responder (like 911) and a qualified appliance technician. Place one
l
abel near the CO Alarm, and the other label in the “fre
sh air” location you
p
lan to go if the alarm sounds.
IF YOUR CO ALARM SOUNDS
A
ctuation of your CO Alarm indicates the presence of carbon monoxide
(CO) which can kill you. In other wor
d
s, when your CO Alarm
sounds,
y
ou must not ignore it!
I
F THE ALARM SIGNAL SOUNDS:
1. Operate the Test/Silence button.
2. Call your emergency services, fire department or 911. Write down the
n
umber of your local emergency service here:
__________________________________________________________________
3
. Immediately move to fresh air—outdoors or by an open door or window.
D
o a head count to check that all persons are accounted for. Do not re-
enter the pr
emises, or move away fr
o
m the open door or window until the
e
mergency services responder has arrived, the premises have been aired
o
ut, and your CO Alarm remains in its normal condition.
4
. After following steps 1-3, if your CO Alarm reactivates within a 24-hour
period, repeat steps 1-3 and call a qualified appliance technician to
i
nvestigate for sourc
es of CO from fuel-bur
ning equipment and appliances,
a
nd inspect for proper operation of this equipment. If problems are
identified during this inspection have the equipment serviced immediately.
N
ote any combustion equipment not inspected by the technician, and
c
onsult the manufacturers’ instructions, or contact the manufacturers
directly, for more information about CO safety and this equipment. Make
s
ure
that motor vehicles are not, and have not, been operating in an
a
ttached garage or adjacent to the residence. Write down the number
of a qualified appliance technician here:
_
________________________________________________________________
A
larm
s have various limitations. See "General Limitations of CO Alarms"
for details.
USING THE SILENCE FEATURE
The Silence Feature is for your convenience only and will not
c
orrect a CO problem. Always check your home for a potential
pr
o
blem after any alarm
. Failure
to do so can re
sult in injury
or
death.
NEVER remove the batteries from your CO Alarm to silence the
horn. Use the silence feature. Removing the batteries removes
your protection! See “If Your CO Alarm Sounds” for details on
r
e
sponding to an alarm.
The Silence Feature is intended to temporarily silence your CO Alarm’s alarm
horn while you correct the problem—it will not correct a CO problem. While
the alarm is silenced it will continue to monitor the air for CO.
When CO reaches alarm levels the alarm will sound— repeating horn pattern:
4 beeps, a pause, 4 beeps, etc. Press and hold the Test/Silence button until
the horn is silent. The initial Silence cycle will last approximately 4 minutes.
NOTE: After initial 4-minute Silence cycle, the CO Alarm re-evaluates pr
esent
CO levels and responds accordingly. If CO levels remain potentially dangerous
—or start rising higher—the horn will start sounding again.
While the detector is silenced:
If the CO Alarm...
Is silent for only 4 minutes, then
starts sounding loudly—4 beeps,
pause, 4 beeps, pause
This means...
CO levels are still potentially
danger
ous.
If the CO Alarm...
Remains silent after you pressed
the Test/Silence button
This means...
CO levels are dropping.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT CO
WHA
T IS CO?
C
O is an invisible, odorless, tasteless gas pro
duced when fossil fuels do not
burn completely, or are exposed to heat (usually fire). Electrical appliances
t
ypically do not pro
duce CO.
T
hese fuels include:
W
ood, coal, charcoal, oil, natural gas, gasoline,
k
ero
sene, and propane.
C
ommon appliances are often sources of CO. If they are not properly main-
tained, ar
e improperly ventilated, or malfunction, CO levels can rise quickly.
C
O is a real danger now that homes are more energy efficient. “Air-tight”
h
omes with added insulation, sealed windows, and other weatherproofing
can “trap” CO inside.
SYMPTOMS OF CO POISONING
These symptoms ar
e related to CO POISONING and should be discussed
w
ith ALL household members.
M
ild Exposure:
S
light headache, nausea, vomiting, fatigue (“flu-like” symptoms).
M
edium Exposure
:
Throbbing headache, drowsiness, confusion, fast heart rate.
Extr
eme Exposure:
Convulsions, unconsciousness, heart and lung failure. Exposure to carbon
m
onoxide can cause brain damage, death.
Some individuals ar
e more sensitive to CO than others, including people
w
ith cardiac or respiratory problems, infants, unborn babies, pregnant
m
others, or elderly people can be more quickly and severely affected by
CO. Members of sensitive populations should consult their doctors for
a
dvice on taking additional precautions.
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 sour
ces 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.
HOW CAN I PROTECT MY F
AMILY?
A CO Alarm is an excellent means of protection. 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.
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 HV
AC companies of
fer appliance inspections for a
nominal fee.
Make r
egular visual inspections of all fuel-bur
ning appliances. Check appli
-
ances 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 pr
esent. 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.
In addition, familiarize yourself with all enclosed materials. Read this
manual in its entirety, and make sure you understand what to do if your
CO Alarm sounds.
WHAT LEVELS OF CO CAUSE AN ALARM?
U
nderwriters Laboratories Inc. Standard UL2034 requires residential CO
A
larms 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
t
ime (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
1
0 and 50 MINUTES.
If the alarm is exposed to 70 ppm of CO, IT MUST ALARM BETWEEN
6
0 and 240 MINUTES.
* Approximately 10% COHb exposure at levels of 10% to 95% Relative
H
umidity (RH).
The unit is designed not to alarm when exposed to a constant level
of 30 ppm for 30 days.
C
O 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,
h
ealthy adults, but after 4 hours the same level may cause headaches.
An exposure to 400 ppm of CO may cause headaches in average, healthy
a
dults after 35 minutes, but can cause death after 2 hours.
This CO Alarm measures exposure to CO over time. It alarms if CO levels
a
re extremely high in a short period of time, or if CO levels reach a certain
m
inimum over a long period of time. The CO Alarm generally sounds an alarm
before the onset of symptoms in average, healthy adults.
W
hy is this important? 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
d
isoriented 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.
H
owever, 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
d
octor immediately!
Standards: Underwriters Laboratories Inc. Single and Multiple Station carbon
m
onoxide alarms UL2034.
According to Underwriters Laboratories Inc. UL2034, Section 1-1.2: “Carbon
m
onoxide alarms covered by these requirements are intended to respond to
t
he 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
m
onoxide levels below those that could cause a loss of ability to react to the
dangers of Carbon Monoxide exposure.” This CO Alarm monitors the air at
t
he Alarm, and is designed to alarm before CO levels become life threatening.
T
his allows you precious time to leave the house and correct the problem.
T
his is only possible if Alarms are located, installed, and maintained as
d
escribed in this manual.
G
as Detection at Typical Temperature and Humidity Ranges:
T
he CO Alarm
i
s 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
D
ioxide (5000 ppm). Values measure gas and vapor concentrations in parts
per million.
Audible Alarm: 85 dB minimum at 10 feet (3 meters).
TESTING & MAINTENANCE
WEEKLY TESTING
Test the CO Alarm once a week. If the CO Alarm ever fails to test
correctly, have it replaced immediately! If the CO Alarm is not working
p
roperly, it cannot alert you to a problem.
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.
Push and hold the Test/Silence button on the cover until the LED flashes. The
alarm horn will sound 4 beeps, a pause, then 4 beeps. The ALARM (RED) light
w
ill flash.
The alarm sequence should last 5-6 seconds. If it does not alarm, make sure
f
resh batteries are correctly installed, and test it again. If the unit still does not
a
larm, replace it immediately.
If the alarm does not test properly:
1
. Make sure the battery is installed correctly.
2
. Be sure the Alarm is clean and dust-free.
3. Install a fresh 9V battery
* and test the Alarm again.
DO NOT try fixing the Alarm yourself – this will void your warranty!
If the CO Alarm is still not operating properly, and it is still under
warranty, please see "How to Obtain Warranty Service" in the Limited
W
arranty. Install a new CO Alarm immediately.
The Test/Silence button is the only proper way to test the CO Alarm.
N
EVER use vehicle exhaust! Exhaust may cause permanent damage
a
nd voids your warranty.
*
F
or a list of acceptable replacement batteries, see “Regular Maintenance.”
REGULAR MAINTENANCE
T
o keep the CO Alarm in good working order:
Test it every week using the Test/Silence button.
Vacuum the CO Alarm cover once a month, using the soft brush attach-
m
ent. Never use water, cleaners, or solvents, since these may damage
t
he unit. T
est the CO Alarm again after vacuuming.
Replace the batteries when the CO Alarm “chirps” about every minute
(the low battery war
ning).
T
he low battery warning should last for 30 days, but you should replace the
b
attery immediately to continue your pro
tection.
C
hoosing a replacement battery:
T
his CO Alarm requires one 9V alkaline battery. The following batteries are
a
cceptable as replacements: Alkaline Batteries — Duracell MN1604 or
E
nergizer 522; Lithium Batteries — Ultralife U9VL-J. These replacement
b
atteries are commonly available at local retail stores.
U
se only the replacement batteries listed. The unit may not operate properly
w
ith other batteries. Never use re
chargeable batteries since they may not
provide a constant charge.
D
O NOT spray cleaning chemicals or insect sprays directly on or near
the CO Alar
m. DO NOT paint over the CO Alarm. Doing so may cause
p
ermanent damage.
H
ousehold cleaners, aerosol chemicals, and other contaminants can affect
the sensor. When using any of these materials near the CO Alarm, make sure
t
he ro
om is well ventilated.
T
his CO Alarm is intended for residential use. It is not intended for
u
se in industrial applications where Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (OSHA) requirements for carbon monoxide detectors
m
ust be met.
C
O Alarms may not waken all individuals.
I
f children or others do not readily
w
aken to the sound of the CO Alarm, or if there are infants or family members
with mobility limitations, make sure that someone is assigned to assist them
i
n the event of an emergency.
C
O Alarms will not work without power.
T
his alarm requires a 9V alkaline
b
attery to operate.
C
O Alarms for Solar or Wind Energy users and battery backup power
systems:
AC powered CO Alarms should only be operated with true or pure
sine wave inverters. Operating this Alarm with most battery-power
ed UPS
(
uninterruptible power supply) products or square wave or “quasi sine wave”
inverters
will damage the Alarm. If you are not sure about your inverter or
UPS type, please consult with the manufactur
er to verify
.
T
his CO Alarm will not sense carbon monoxide that does not reach the
s
ensor.
T
his CO Alarm will only sense CO at the sensor.
CO may be pre
sent
in other areas. Doors or other obstructions may affect the rate at which CO
r
eaches the CO Alarm. For this reason, if bedroom doors are usually closed
a
t night, we recommend you install a CO Alarm in each bedroom and in the
hallway between them.
CO Alarms may not sense CO on another level of the home. For example,
a CO Alarm on the second level, near the bedrooms, may not sense CO in the
b
asement. For this re
ason, one CO Alarm may not give adequate warn
ing.
Complete coverage is r
e
commended. Place CO Alarms on each level of the
home.
C
O Alarms may not be heard.
T
he alarm horn loudness meets or exceeds
c
urrent UL standards of 85 dB at 10 feet (3 meters). However, if the CO Alarm
is installed outside the bedroom, it may not wake up a sound sleeper or one
w
ho has recently used drugs or has been drinking alcoholic beverages. This
i
s especially true if the door is closed or only partly open. Even persons who
are awake may not hear the alarm horn if the sound is blocked by distance or
c
losed doors. Noise from traf
fic, stereo, radio, television, air conditioner, or
o
ther appliances may also prevent alert persons from hearing the alarm horn.
This CO Alarm is not intended for people who are hearing impaired.
CO Alarms are not a substitute for a smoke alarm. Although fire is a
s
ource of carbon monoxide, this CO Alarm does not sense smoke or fire. This
C
O Alarm senses CO that may be escaping unnoticed fro
m malfunctioning
furnaces, appliances, or other sources. Early warning of fire requires the
i
nstallation of smoke alarms.
C
O Alarms are not a substitute for life insurance.
T
hough these CO Alarms
w
arn against increasing CO levels, BRK Brands, Inc. does not warrant or imply
in any way that they will protect lives from CO poisoning. Homeowners and
r
enters must still insure their lives.
CO Alarms have a limited life. Although the CO Alarm and all of its parts
h
ave passed many stringent tests and are designed to be as reliable as
possible, any of these parts could fail at any time. Therefore, you must test
your CO Alarm weekly
.
C
O Alarms are not foolproof.
L
ike all other electronic devices, CO Alarms
h
ave limitations. They can only detect CO that re
aches their sensors. They
may not give early warning to rising CO levels if the CO is coming from a
remote part of the home, away from the CO Alarm.
TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE
CO Alarm sounds frequently even though no high
levels of CO are revealed in an investigation.
The CO Alarm may be improperly located. Refer to
“Where to Install CO Alarms.”
Relocate your alarm. If frequent alarms continue,
have home rechecked for potential CO problems.
Y
ou may be experiencing an intermittent CO problem.
The light flashes (RED) and the hor
n sounds
5 “chirps” every minute.
END
OF
LIFE SIGNAL.
CO
Alarm needs to be
replaced.
Immediately r
eplace the CO Alarm.
If you have any questions that cannot be answer
ed by reading this manual, call Consumer Affairs at 1-800-323-9005.
“ALARM-MOVE TO FRESH AIR”
If you hear the alarm horn and the Red light is flashing,
m
ove everyone to a source of fresh air.
D
O NOT disconnect the battery
fro
m the CO Alarm
!
Fuel-burning appliances like: portable heater, gas or wood burning fireplace,
g
as kitchen range or cooktop, gas clothes dryer.
D
amaged or insufficient venting:
c
orroded or disconnected water heater
v
ent 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
a
n enclosed area (like a garage or screened porch).
Transient CO Problems: “transient” or on-again-off-again CO problems can
b
e caused by outdoor conditions and other special circumstances.
*For a list of acceptable replacement batteries, see “Page 4: Regular Maintenance.”
GENERAL LIMITATIONS OF CO ALARMS
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
t
he 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
fresh air.
• Vent pipe connections vibrating loose from clothes dryers, furnaces, or
w
ater heaters.
• Obstructions in or unconventional vent pipe designs which can amplify
t
he 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
h
ome. Since these conditions can come and go, they are also hard to
recreate during a CO investigation.
P
OTENTIAL SOURCES OF CO IN THE HOME
REGULATORY INFORMATION FOR CO ALARMS
First Alert
®
is a registered trademark of the First Alert Trust. Printed in Mexico M08-0217-004 P 09/10
SILENCING THE LOW BA
TTER
Y W
ARNING
This silence featur
e can temporarily quiet the low battery war
ning “chirp” for
up to 8 hours. You can silence the low battery warning “chirp” by pressing
the Test/Silence button. The horn will chirp, acknowledging that the low
battery silence featur
e has been activated.
After 8 hours, the low battery “chirp” will resume.
Replace the battery as
soon as possible; this unit will not operate without battery power!
T
o deactivate this featur
e:
Pr
ess the T
est/Silence button again. The unit will
go into T
est Mode and the low battery war
ning will r
esume (LED flashes and
unit sounds “chirp” once a minute.)
If you cannot silence the low battery warning, replace the battery
immediately.
IMPORTANT! PLEASE READ CAREFULLY AND SAVE.
T
his user’s manual contains important information about your Carbon
M
onoxide Alarm’s operation. If you are installing this CO Alarm for use by
others, you must leave this manual —or a copy of it—with the end user.
M
08-0217-004
P 0
9/10 Printed in Mexico
BATTERY POWERED
CARBON MONOXIDE ALARM
USER’S MANUAL
LISTED TO
UL 2034
STANDARD
Model CO250
HOW TO INSTALL THIS CO ALARM
THE PARTS OF THIS ALARM
FOLLOW THESE SIMPLE STEPS!
1. “OPEN HERE” tab
2. Cover hinge
3. Test/Silence button
4
. Power/alarm indicator
T
ools you will need:
• Pencil • Drill with 3/16” (5 mm) drill bit
• Hammer • Standard flathead screwdriver
1. Hold base firmly and pull up on cover tab marked “OPEN HERE.” This
will open the hinged cover. The cover may unsnap from the base if it's
o
pened too far. This will not damage the unit—the cover hinge snaps
back into place easily.
2
. Hold the CO Alarm base against the ceiling (or wall) and make a mark
at the center of each of the mounting slots with a pencil.
3. Put the unit where it won’t get covered with dust when you drill the
m
ounting holes.
4
. Using a 3/16” (5 mm) drill bit, drill a hole through each pencil mark.
5
. Insert the plastic screw anchors (in the plastic bag with screws) into the
h
oles. Tap the screw anchors gently with a hammer, if necessary, until
they are flush with the ceiling or wall.
6. Tighten the screws (provided) into the screw anchors, then loosen them
t
wo turns.
7
. Fit the CO Alarm over the screw heads as shown. Close cover.
8
. If the CO Alarm cover does not line up the way you want it, rotate the
b
ase and re-tighten the screws.
9
. Activate the battery. With the cover open, remove and reinstall the
battery so the terminals on the battery match the terminals on the CO
A
larm. Match “+” to “+” and “-” to “-.” Push the battery in until it snaps
i
n securely and cannot be shaken loose.
I
f the battery is not snapped in completely, the unit cannot receive
battery power. The CO Alarm may beep briefly when you install the
b
attery—this is normal.
Once the battery is installed, the red power indicator light (behind the
t
est button) will flash once a minute to show you the CO Alarm is
working.
10. Close the cover all the way.
11. Test the CO Alarm. See “Weekly Testing.”
To lock/unlock the cover to the base:
1. Using needle-nose pliers or a utility knife, detach locking pin from
back of alarm base.
2. Insert locking pin into the slot located on the front of the alarm as
shown in the diagram.
3. Remove pin to unlock and replace battery.
C
over Open
1. “Open Here”
2
. Test/Silence button
3
. CO alarm base
4
. “No Battery” tab
5
. Mounting slots
6
. Install 9V battery here
7. Locking pin slot
Locking Pin
Insert Locking Pin
LOCKING FEATURE
This unit is designed to be
m
ounted on the ceiling, or
on the wall if necessary.
SILENCING THE END OF LIFE SIGNAL
This silence featur
e can temporarily quiet the End of Life warning “chirp” for
up to 2 days. Y
ou can silence the End of Life war
ning “chirp” by pr
essing the
Test/Silence button. The horn will chirp, acknowledging that the End of Life
silence feature has been activated.
After appr
oximately 2 days, the End of Life “chirp” will resume.
After appr
oximately 2-3 weeks the End of Life warning cannot be silenced.
For your records, please record:
Date Purchased: _______________Where Purchased: ___________________
Date Installed: ____________/____________Month/Year
Replace alarm 7 years after installation. Please write the date in the
space provided:
_____________/____________Month/Year
The alarm will also provide an audible End-of-Life Signal approximately
7 years after installation to remind you to replace the unit.
The End-of-Life Signal can be silenced for up to 2 days. Do not unplug
the alarm or remove the batteries until you get replacement.