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CHAPTER 6: Underwriters Laboratories Inc. UL2034
What Levels of CO Cause an Alarm?
Underwriters Laboratories Inc. UL2034 defines 3
specific alarm points by which all residential CO
alarms must alarm. They are measured 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.
IMPORTANT!
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 min-
utes 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.
IMPORTANT!
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 minimum 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 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 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
alarms. 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!
WARNING!
This product is intended for use in ordinary
indoor locations of family living units. It is not
designed to measure CO levels in compliance
with Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (OSHA) commercial or
industrial standards.