8
POTENTIAL SOURCES OF CO IN THE HOME
Fuel-bur
ning appliances like:
portable heater
, gas or wood burning
fireplace, gas kitchen range or cooktop, gas clothes dryer.
Damaged or insuf
ficient venting:
corr
oded or disconnected water
heater vent pipe, leaking chimney pipe or flue, or cracked heat exchanger
,
blocked or clogged chimney opening.
Impr
oper use of appliance/device:
operating a barbecue grill or vehicle
in an enclosed area (like a garage or screened porch).
T
ransient CO Problems:
“transient” or on-again-of
f-again CO problems
can be caused by outdoor conditions and other special cir
cumstances.
The following conditions can r
esult in transient CO situations:
1.
Excessive spillage or reverse venting of fuel appliances caused by
outdoor conditions such as:
• Wind direction and/or velocity, including high, gusty winds.
Heavy air in the vent pipes (cold/humid air with extended periods
between cycles).
• Negative pressure dif
ferential resulting from the use of exhaust fans.
• Several appliances running at the same time competing for limited
fresh air.
• Vent pipe connections vibrating loose from clothes dryers,
furnaces, or water heaters.
• Obstructions in or unconventional vent pipe designs which can
amplify the above situations.
2. Extended operation of unvented fuel burning devices (range, oven,
fireplace).
3. Temperature inversions, which can trap exhaust close to the ground.
4. Car idling in an open or closed attached garage, or near a home.
These conditions are dangerous because they can trap exhaust in your
home. Since these conditions can come and go, they are also hard to
recreate during a CO investigation.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT CO
WHAT IS CO?
CO is an invisible, odorless, tasteless gas pr
oduced when fossil fuels
do not burn completely, or are exposed to heat (usually fire). Electrical
appliances typically do not pr
oduce CO.
These fuels include: W
ood, coal, charcoal, oil, natural gas, gasoline,
ker
osene, and propane.
Common appliances ar
e often sources of CO. If they are not properly
maintained, are improperly ventilated, or malfunction, CO levels can rise
quickly. CO is a real 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
These symptoms are related to CO POISONING and should be
discussed with ALL household members.
Mild Exposur
e:
Slight headache, nausea, vomiting, fatigue (“flu-like”
symptoms).
Medium Exposur
e:
Thr
obbing headache, drowsiness, confusion, fast
heart rate.
Extreme Exposure: Convulsions, unconsciousness, heart and lung
failur
e. Exposure to Carbon Monoxide can cause brain damage, death.
This CO Alarm measures exposure to CO over time. It alarms if CO
levels are extremely high in a short period of time, or if CO levels reach
a certain minimum over a long period of time. The CO Alarm generally
sounds an alarm before the onset of symptoms in average, healthy
adults. Why is this important? Because you need to be warned of a
potential CO pr
oblem while you can still react in time. In many reported
cases of CO exposure, victims may be aware that they are not feeling
well, but become disoriented and can no longer react well enough to
exit the building or get help. Also, young childr
en and pets may be the
first af
fected. The average healthy adult might not feel any symptoms
when the CO Alarm sounds. However, people with cardiac or respiratory
pr
oblems, infants, unborn babies, pregnant mothers, or elderly people
can be more quickly and severely affected by CO. If you experience
even mild symptoms of CO poisoning, consult your doctor immediately!
FINDING THE SOURCE OF CO AFTER AN ALARM
Carbon monoxide is an odorless, invisible gas, which often makes it
difficult to locate the source of CO after an alarm. These are a few of the
factors that can make 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 FROM
CO POISONING?
A CO Alarm is an excellent means of protection. It monitors the air and
sounds a loud alarm before Carbon Monoxide levels become thr
eatening
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
pr
event pr
oper air movement and cause backdrafting. Never “cap”
or cover a chimney in any way that would block air flow.
• Test 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 appliances 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 bur
ned 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 sur
e appliances ar
e vented to the outside. Do
not grill or barbecue indoors, or in garages or on scr
een porches.
•
Check for exhaust backflow fr
om CO sour
ces. Check the draft
hood on an operating furnace for a backdraft. Look for cracks on
fur
nace heat exchangers.
•
Check the house or garage on the other side of shar
ed wall.
•
Keep windows and doors open slightly
. If you suspect that CO
is escaping into your home, open a window or a door. Opening
windows and doors can significantly decrease CO levels.
In addition, familiarize yourself with all enclosed materials. Read
this manual in its entirety, and make sure you understand what to
do if your CO Alar
m sounds.
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