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Part One – Your Nighthawk CO and Gas Alarm
Nighthawk’s Unique Features
Digital Display
The continuous digital display shows you the level of carbon monoxide
(if any) the unit is sensing as well as if Gas is present. The unit updates
this reading every 15 seconds so you can watch levels rise or fall.
Note: If the unit does not sense any CO or gas, the reading is zero (0).
In most homes, the unit reads “0” all the time. A reading of “0” is
expected under normal conditions, and is good. The blinking dot after
the number shows you the unit is operating.
Test/Reset Button
This button has three functions. First, this is the button you press when
you test the unit monthly (see page 1-5 for further details). Secondly,
you press this button if the unit alarms and you want to silence the
alarm. This will reset the unit and it will then again start monitoring for
CO or Gas, if CO concentration is above 70 ppm the alarm will again
sound within 6 minutes. It’s also used when resetting the peak level
memory. (See page 1-7).
Peak Level Button
By pressing this button, you can see the peak CO level recorded by
the alarm since it was last cleared or unplugged. This Nighthawk fea-
ture allows you (or heating contractor or fireman) to see exactly how
big a CO problem you have so you can react accordingly. (More on the
peak level memory feature on page 1-7).
Sensors
The CO sensor is a highly sensitive, electrochemical sensor that is CO-
specific to help avoid false alarms. Turn to page 1-7 for more
information on how to care for and protect the alarm.
The Gas sensor is a metal oxide sensor designed to detect natural gas
(methane) or propane.
Sounder Alarm
This is the loud 85 decibel pulsing alarm that will sound to alert you to
a potential problem. Alarm condition for CO is 4 quick beeps – fol-
lowed by 5 seconds of silence – followed by 4 quick beeps. Repeat with
a number showing in the display (CO concentration in PPM).
The alarm
pattern for Gas is a 1/2 second alarm on, 1/2 second of silence -
repeating
with “GAS” shown in the display.
Caution: Continuous exposure to this sound level at close range over
an extended period of time may cause hearing loss. We recommend
you cover the sounder with your finger while testing. More on testing
on page 1-5,6.
Keyholes
When the alarm is mounted to the wall, these keyholes slide onto
the
screws in the wall. (See “How to install your alarm on page 1-4).
Pull-Out Transformer/Adapter
This unique Nighthawk feature enables the alarm to be used as a direct
plug unit, a wall mounted unit or a table top unit. More on how this
unique feature is used for different application, page 1-4.
9V Backup Battery
This CO and Gas alarm is not battery operated. The 9V battery is to
supply a short-term backup during a power outage. In the event of a
power outage, a fully charged 9V battery will continue operating
the CO alarm for at least 20 hours, unless Gas is detected during
battery backup conditions. This will significantly shorten the bat-
tery life.
What Carbon Monoxide and Explosive Gas Alarms
Can and Cannot Do
This unit is designed to sense unacceptable levels of CO or Gas from
malfunctioning furnaces, appliances, Gas engines or other sources.
This unit will provide early warning of the presence of carbon
monoxide, usually before a healthy adult would experience symp-
toms. It will provide warning of a Gas condition before 25% of the
LEL for methane or propane is detected.
This early warning is possible, however, only if your Nighthawk CO
and Gas alarm is located, installed and maintained as described in
this user’s guide.
When on AC power, this unit is designed to act as a continuous mon-
itor, it is not designed for use as a short-term testing device to per-
form a quick check for the presence of CO or Gas.
Alarms have limitations. Like any other electronic device, CO and Gas
alarms are not fool-proof.
CO and Gas alarms have a limited operational life. You must test your
CO and Gas alarm monthly, because it could fail to operate at any
time. If your CO and Gas alarm fails to test properly, or if its self-diag-
nostic test reveals a malfunction, immediately have the unit replaced.
See back page for warranty information.
CO and Gas alarms can only sense CO that reaches the unit’s sensor.
Carbon monoxide may be present in other areas without reaching
the alarm. The rate at which CO reaches the unit may be affected by
doors or other obstructions. In addition, fresh air from a vent or open
window or any other source may prevent CO from reaching the sen-
sor. Please observe cautions on page
1-3 “Where to install your alarm.”
CO or Gas could be present on one level of the home and not reach
the alarm installed on a different level. For example, CO or Gas in
the basement may not reach an alarm on the second level, near the
bedrooms. For this reason, we recommend you provide complete
coverage by placing a CO and Gas alarm on every level of the home.
This unit is not a smoke alarm. It will not sense smoke or fire. For
early warning of fire you must install smoke alarms, even though car-
bon monoxide can be generated by a fire.
CO and Gas alarms are not a substitute for property, disability, life or
other insurance of any kind. Appropriate insurance coverage is your
responsibility. Consult your insurance agent.
Your CO/Gas alarm is not designed to continually detect explosive
gas while on battery only operation. The CO/Gas alarm is provided
with a 9 volt battery backup for short term protection against the
presence of carbon monoxide or explosive gas. For the first four min-
utes after the unit goes into battery backup operation, the explosive
gas sensor will operate as if on AC power. However, after four min-
utes, to extened battery life, the unit will go into battery conserve
mode and will only sample for explosive gas once every eight min-
utes. Explosive gas could be present during this 8-minute period
without the unit going into alarm.
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CO/Gas Alarm Manual Rev. C 3/21/01 11:37 AM Page 7