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WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT CO
WHAT IS CO?
CO is an invisible, odorless, tasteless gas produced when fossil fuels do not
b
urn completely, or are exposed to heat (usually fire). Electrical appliances
ty
pically do not produce CO.
T
hese fuels include:
W
ood, coal, charcoal, oil, natural gas, gasoline, kerosene,
and propane.
Com
mon 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 r
eal 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
T
hese symptoms are related to CO POISONING and should be discussed
w
ith ALL household members.
M
ild Exposure:
Slight headache, nausea, vomiting, fatigue (“flu-like” symptoms).
Medium Exposure:
Throbbing headache, drowsiness, confusion, fast heart rate.
Ex
treme Exposure:
Con
vulsions, unconsciousness, heart and lung failure. Exposure to carbon
monoxide can cause brain damage, death.
Some i
ndividuals are 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
C
O. Members of sensitive populations should consult their doctors for
adv
ice 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
l
ocate the source of CO after an alarm. These are a few of the factors that can
ma
ke 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.
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 FAMILY?
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.
•
T
est 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 appli-
a
nce
s 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 a
n ope
r
a
t
i
ng f
urnace for a backdraft. Look for cracks on furnace
hea
t 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
i
n
to your home, open a window or a door. Opening windows and doors
can significantly decrease CO levels.
I
n additi
on
,
f
amiliarize yourself with all enclosed materials. Read this
manual in its entirety, and make sure you understand what to do if your
C
O
Al
arm s
ounds.
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
pr
operly, it cannot alert you to a problem.
•
DO NOT stand close to the Alarm when the horn is sounding.
Ex
posure at close range may be harmful to your hearing. When
testing, step away when horn starts sounding.
Y
ou can test this CO Alarm two ways:
1. Manually: Press the Test/Silence button on the Alarm
co
ver until alarm sounds.
2
.
R
emote Control:
Ai
m your remote control at the CO
Alarm and press the CHANNEL or VOLUME button.
The alarm horn will sound: 4 beeps, a pause, then 4 beeps.
T
he ALARM (RED) light will flash quickly. The alarm
se
quence should last 5-6 seconds. If it does not alarm,
make sure fresh batteries are correctly installed, and test it
aga
in. If the unit still does not alarm, replace it immediately.
If the a
larm does not test properly:
1
. Make sure that fresh batteries are installed correctly.
2. Be sure the Alarm is clean and dust-free.
3
. Install fresh AA batteries and test the Alarm again. For a list of acceptable
r
eplacement batteries, see “Regular Maintenance.”
• DO NOT try fixing the Alarm yourself – this will void your warranty!
If the C
O Alarm is still not operating properly, and it is still under
w
arranty, please see "How to Obtain Warranty Service" in the Limited
W
arranty. Install a new CO Alarm immediately.
• The two methods described on this page are the only proper ways to
test the CO Alarm. NEVER use vehicle exhaust! Exhaust may cause
permanent damage and voids your warranty.
REGULAR MAINTENANCE
To 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-
ment. Never use water, cleaners, or solvents, since these may damage the
unit. Test the CO Alarm again after vacuuming.
• Replace the batteries when the CO Alarm “chirps” about every minute (the
low battery warning).
The low battery warning should last for 30 days, but you should replace the
battery immediately to continue your protection.
Choosing a replacement battery:
This CO Alarm requires two standard AA batteries. The following batteries
are acceptable as replacements: Energizer E91. These replacement batteries
are commonly available at local retail stores.
Use only the replacement batteries listed. The unit may not operate properly
with other batteries. Never use rechargeable batteries since they may not
pr
o
v
id
e a constant charge.
D
O N
OT spray cleaning chemicals or insect sprays directly on or near
the CO Alarm. DO NOT paint over the CO Alarm. Doing so may cause
permanent 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
the room is well ventilated.