User's Manual
4 D-303404 GSD-442 PG2 Installation Instructions
Appendix B - CO Detector Installation Overview
B-1. Selecting Installation Location
Selecting a suitable location is critical for the CO detector. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recommends to use at
least one CO detector per household, located near as possible to sleeping areas of the home, because the human body is most
vulnerable to the CO gas effect during sleeping hours.
For added protection, install additional CO detectors in every separate bedroom and on every level of your home. If your bedroom
hallway is longer than 14 meters (40 feet), install a CO detector at BOTH ends of the hallway. Install an additional detector 6 meters (20
feet) away from the furnace or fuel burning heat source.
For maximum protection, the detector should be also located outside
primary sleeping areas or at each level of your home. Mount the
detector on a firm wall or ceiling (see par. 3.1).
A. Bedroom
B. Living room
C. Kitchen
D. Basement
E. Garage
F. CO detector
B
C
D
A
E
A A
F
Figure 5. CO Detectors locations in a Multi-Floor Residence
B-2. Where Not to Install CO Detectors
1. In locations where temperature may be below -10C (14F) or above 40C (104F).
2. In locations where humidity is below 10% or above 93% RH.
3. Near paint thinner fumes.
4. Near air conditioners, furnaces, stoves, fireplaces and any other ventilation source that may interfere with the CO gas entering the
detector.
5. In locations where furniture or draperies may obstruct the air flow.
6. In exhaust streams from gas engines, vents, flues or chimneys.
7. Where dirt or dust could collect and block the sensor and stop its working.
8. In locations that can be reached by children.
9. In turbulent air from ceiling fans.
10. In close proximity to an automobile exhaust pipe - this will damage the detector.
Appendix C - CO Gas Health Effects
C-1. Toxic Effects
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless non-irritating gas which is classified as a chemical asphyxiate whose toxic action is a
direct result of the hypoxia produced by a given exposure.
CO is rapidly absorbed through the lungs, diffuses across the alveolar capillary membrane and is reversible bound with hemoglobin as
carboxyheoglobin (COHb), however a minute amount is present in the plasma. The affinity of hemoglobin for CO is over 200 times its
affinity for oxygen. This reduces the oxygen carrying of the blood and also has an effect on dissociation of oxyhemoglobin which farther
reduces the oxygen supply to the tissues. CO is chemically unchanged in the body and is eliminated in the expired air. The elimination is
determined by the same factors that are applied during absorption.
If the CO level in the inhaled air is constant, the level of COHb in the blood will approach an equilibrium state after several hours.
However, the rate at which the equilibrium is reached depends on many factors, e.g. lung ventilation rate (physical activity) and alveolar
capillary transfer, cardiac parameters, blood hemoglobin concentration, barometric pressure, oxygen and carbon dioxide concentration in
the inhaled air, but the two most important factors in determining the COHb level are the CO concentration and the duration of exposure.
The effects of different saturation blood COHb levels on healthy adults are shown in Table 1.
Table 1 - Health effects of COHb blood levels on healthy adults
% COHb Effects
03 - 0.7 Normal range in non-smokers due to endogenous production
0.7 - 2.9 No proven physiological changes
2.9 - 4.5 Cardio-vascular changes in cardiac patients
4 - 6 Usual values observed in smokers, impairment in psychomotor tests
7 - 10 Cardio-vascular changes in non-cardiac patients (increased cardiac output and coronary blood flow)
10 - 20 Slight headache, weakness, potential burden on fetus
20 - 30 Severe headache, nausea, impairment in limb movements
30 - 40 Severe headache. irritability, confusion, impairment in visual acuity, nausea, muscular weakness, dizziness
40 -50 Convulsions and unconsciousness
60 - 70 Coma, collapse, death
Source: US Environmental Protection Agency 1984
The following symptoms are related to CO poisoning and are to be discussed with ALL members of the household:
1. Mild Exposure: Slight headache, nausea, vomiting, fatigue (often described as "Flu-like" symptoms).
2. Medium Exposure: Severe throbbing headache, drowsiness, fast heart rate.
3. Extreme Exposure: Unconsciousness, convulsions, cardio respiratory failure, death.
4. Many cases of reported CO poisoning indicate that while victims are aware they are not well, they become so disordered they are
unable to save themselves by either exiting the building or calling for assistance. Young children and household pets are typically first
affected.