MODEL CO3000BN—User’s Manual Battery-Operated Carbon Monoxide Alarm M06-1050-000 8/99
TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Basic Safety Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 How Your CO Alarm Works . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 What The Lights and Alarm Tones Mean . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 CO Alarm Specifications . .
CHAPTER 1: Introduction BASIC SAFETY INFORMATION IMPORTANT! Dangers, Warnings, and Cautions alert you to important operating instructions or to potentially hazardous situations. Pay special attention to these items. IMPORTANT! THIS IS NOT A SMOKE ALARM! This CO Alarm is designed to detect carbon monoxide from ANY source of combustion. It is NOT designed to detect smoke, fire, or any other gas. IMPORTANT! This CO Alarm is approved for use in singlefamily residences. It is NOT designed for marine use.
HOW YOUR CO ALARM WORKS The Cover of Your CO Alarm General Information 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 features a permanently installed sensor, three colored indicator lights, and an 85 dB alarm horn. It also has a silence feature to temporarily quiet the alarm horn.
WHAT THE LIGHTS AND ALARM TONES MEAN WELCOME CHIRP. Horn chirps and battery light blinks green once when battery is first connected. ALARM RECEIVING BATTERY POWER BATTERY light flashes GREEN twice a minute. Horn is silent. DURING TESTING GOOD BATTERY CO ALARM REQUIRES SERVICE When you press the Test/ Silence button, all three lights will flash briefly, and the horn will sound. The SERVICE light flashes YELLOW and the horn “chirps” three times every 30 seconds.
CO ALARM SPECIFICATIONS Gas Detection at Typical Temperature and Humidity Ranges: The CO Alarm is 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 Dioxide (5000 ppm). Values measure gas and vapor concentrations in parts per million.
CHAPTER 2: Installation WHERE TO INSTALL CO ALARMS In a Single-level Home: The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recommends the use of at least one CO Alarm per household, located near the sleeping area. For added protection, install additional CO Alarms in each separate bedroom, and on every level of your home. If your bedroom hallway is longer than 40 feet, install a CO Alarm at BOTH ends of the hallway.
WHERE NOT TO INSTALL YOUR CO ALARM DO NOT locate this CO Alarm: • In garages, kitchens, furnace rooms, or in any extremely dusty, dirty or greasy areas. • Closer than 20 feet from a furnace or other fuel burning heat source, or fuel burning appliances like a water heater. • Within 5 feet of any cooking appliance. • In extremely humid areas. This alarm should be at least 10 feet from a bath or shower, sauna, humidifier, vaporizer, dishwasher, laundry room, utility room, or other source of high humidity.
HOW TO INSTALL YOUR CO ALARM Read “Where To Install Your CO Alarm” before starting. This CO Alarm can be used on a tabletop or mounted on the wall. For tabletop use, choose a table no taller than 36” (92 cm); a fall from a high table could damage the Alarm’s sensitive components. Before you start installation, find the pair of self-adhesive labels included with this CO alarm. On each label write in the phone number of your emergency responder (like 911) and a qualified appliance technician.
For Tabletop Use To Mount On The Wall 1. Close the battery compartment by sliding the mounting bracket/battery door back onto the back of the CO Alarm. Tools you will need: pencil, drill with 3/16” or 5mm drill bit, flathead screwdriver, hammer. 2. Test the CO Alarm as described below. 3. Set the CO Alarm in plain view on a table where it will not be blocked by any obstructions.Table height should not exceed 36” (92 cm). IMPORTANT! Put the CO Alarm where children and pets cannot reach it.
CHAPTER 3: If Your CO Alarm Alarms WARNING! Actuation of your CO alarm indicates the presence of carbon monoxide (CO) which can kill you. In other words, when your CO Alarm alarms, you must not ignore it! If the Alarm Signal Sounds: 1. Operate the Test/Silence button. 2. Call your emergency services, fire department or 911. Write down the number of your local emergency service here: 3. Immediately move to fresh air—outdoors or by an open door or window.
Using the Silence Feature WARNING! NEVER remove the batteries from your CO Alarm to silence the horn. Use the silence feature. Removing the batteries removes your protection! See previous page for details on responding 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.
CHAPTER 4: Testing and Maintenance WEEKLY TESTING If the alarm does not test properly: 1. Make sure the battery is installed correctly. WARNING! 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 you hear a “chirp.” The “chirp” marks the start of the self-test sequence.
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 at least twice a year, using the soft brush attachment. Test the Alarm again after vacuuming. • Replace the battery when the CO Alarm “chirps” and the yellow light blinks twice a minute (the low battery warning). NOTE: The low battery warning should last for 30 days, but you should replace the battery immediately to continue your protection.
CHAPTER 5: What You Need To Know About CO What is CO? CO is an invisible, odorless, tasteless gas produced when fossil fuels do not burn completely, or are exposed to heat (usually fire). Electrical appliances typically do not produce CO. These fuels include: Wood, coal, charcoal, oil, natural gas, gasoline, kerosene, and propane. Common appliances are often sources of CO. If they are not properly maintained, are improperly ventilated, or malfunction, CO levels can rise quickly.
Potential Sources Of CO In The Home The following conditions can result in transient CO situations: 1. Excessive spillage or reverse venting of fuel appliances caused by outdoor conditions such as: Fuel-burning appliances like: portable heater, gas or wood burning fireplace, gas kitchen range or cooktop, gas clothes dryer. 14 • Wind direction and/or velocity, including high, gusty winds. Heavy air in the vent pipes (cold/humid air with extended periods between cycles).
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.
CHAPTER 6: Underwriters Laboratories Inc. UL2034 What Levels of CO Cause an Alarm? Underwriters Laboratories Inc. UL2034 defines three 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.
CHAPTER 7: Troubleshooting Guide Problem... This means... You should... The BATTERY Light turns Low battery warning. YELLOW. It flashes and the horn “chirps” twice a minute. Install a new 9V alkaline or lithium battery*. During testing, when you Low battery press and hold the Test/ Silence button, the BATTERY Light turns YELLOW. Install a new 9V alkaline or lithium battery*. Horn chirps and yellow service light blinks three times every 30 seconds. Unit needs to be replaced.
CHAPTER 8: General Limitations Of CO Alarms This CO Alarm is intended for residential use. It is not intended for use in industrial applications where Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requirements for carbon monoxide alarms must be met. prevent alert persons from hearing the alarm horn. CO Alarms will not work without power. This This CO Alarm is not intended for people who are alarm requires a 9V alkaline or lithium battery to hearing impaired. operate.
Limited Warranty Coverage: BRK Brands, Inc. warrants its enclosed carbon monoxide alarm to be free from defects in materials and workmanship under normal use for a period of five years from the date of purchase. During the first year after the date of purchase, BRK Brands, Inc. will replace any defective carbon monoxide alarm without charge. During the next four years, BRK Brands, Inc. will replace any defective carbon monoxide alarm at a charge to you not to exceed BRK Brands, Inc.’s cost.
