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Instruction Manual: COSTAR® 12SIR, 12V System CO Alarm
QGI P/N 099-0066-01 REV 10/26/01
Page 3 of 7
NOTE: Manufacturer strongly recommends replacement of alarm six years after date of purchase. Under no circumstances should
the alarm be used (7) years after the date of purchase.
6.0 DEVELOPING YOUR OWN CO SAFETY PLAN
This CO alarm can quickly alert you to the presence of CO — it cannot prevent toxic CO emissions. Please note that there are
hazards against which CO detection may not be effective, such as gas leaks or explosions. The ultimate responsibility for protection
against toxic CO gas rests solely on you.
Installing CO alarms is just the first step in protecting your family from toxic CO poisoning. We also suggest that you create an
effective, comprehensive safety program as outlined below.
6.1 Install CO alarms properly following the instructions in this manual.
6.2 Develop a family escape plan and practice it with your entire family, especially small children.
– Draw a floor plan of your home/ residence and find two ways to exit from each room. There should be one way to get out
of each bedroom without opening the door.
– Make sure that all occupants know what the CO alarm signal means and how they must be prepared to leave the residence
by themselves if necessary.
– Decide on a meeting place a safe distance from your house and make sure all occupants understand where they should go
and wait if there is a dangerous CO condition.
– Conduct CO safety drills at least every 6 months to make sure that everyone, even small children, know what to do in order
to escape safely.
– Know where to go to call the Fire Department from outside your residence.
This unit is designed to detect carbon monoxide (CO) entering its sensing chamber. It does not sense combustible gas (such as natural
gas, propane or butane), heat, smoke or flames.
When properly located, installed, and maintained, this CO alarm is designed to provide early warning of developing poisonous CO
conditions at a reasonable cost.
This alarm monitors the air, and when it senses CO, it activates its built-in alarm. It can provide precious time for you and your
family to escape from your residence before CO can seriously injure or kill. However, such an early warning is possible only if the
alarm is located, installed, and maintained as specified in the Owner's Manual.
7.0 IMPORTANT: WHAT YOUR CO ALARM CAN AND CANNOT DO
If bedroom doors are usually closed at night, alarms should be placed in each bedroom as well as in the common hallway between
them. CO alarms may not sense CO on a different level of a residence or building. For example, a second floor alarm may not sense
a CO leak on the first floor or in the basement.
Therefore, alarms should be placed on every level of a residence or building. If the alarm is located outside of a bedroom, it may not
wake up a sound sleeper, especially if the bedroom door is closed or only partly open. If the alarm is located on a different level of the
residence than the bedrooms, it is even less likely to wake up people sleeping in the bedroom. Installing CO alarms may qualify you
for lower homeowner's insurance rates, but CO alarms are not a substitute for insurance. Homeowners and renters should continue to
insure their lives and property.
WARNING: The COSTAR
®
Model 12SIR CO Alarm is not designed for marine, RV, or aeronautical use.
NOTE: This unit contains no batteries and will not operate without power.
8.0 INSTALLING THE COSTAR
®
12SIR FOR RESIDENTIAL USE
8.1 RECOMMENDATIONS
One of the most important considerations in any CO alarm system is the location of the alarms. Statistics of the National Fire
Protection Association (NFPA) show that most of the fatal CO occurrences happen at night while people are sleeping. Early warning
of CO is best achieved by the correct installation of CO alarms. Placement of an alarm in a garage may cause an alarm due to CO
from automotive exhaust.
8.2 RECOMMENDED MOUNTING LOCATIONS
Put a CO alarm inside each bedroom where the occupant closes the door while sleeping. A closed door can block particulate
smoke, but CO gas is likely to get through.