GE 240 COE Installation Instructions - Page 3

Understanding and Preventing CO Poisoning Recognizing CO Poisoning The following symptoms are related to CO poisoning and should 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, confusion, fast heart rate. 3) Extreme Exposure: Unconsciousness, convulsions, cardio- respiratory failure, death. Many cases of reported CO poisoning indicate that while victims are aware they are not well, they become so disorientated that they are unable to save themselves by either exiting the building or calling for assistance. Young children and pets may be the first affected. Sources of CO CO comes from the incomplete combustion of ANY fuel, such as: wood, natural gas, propane, oil, coal, charcoal, gasoline, or kerosene. The following conditions can produce dangerous transient levels of CO: • Exessive spillage or reverse venting of fuel-burning appliances caused by outdoor ambient conditions as follows: −Wind direction and/or velocity, including high gusts of wind or heavy air in the vent pipes (cold/humid air with extended periods between cycles). −Negative pressure differential resulting from the use of exhaust fans. −Simultaneous operation of several fuel-burning appliances competing for limited internal air. −Vent pipe connections vibrating loose from clothes dryers, furnaces, or water heaters. −Obstructions in the vent pipe or unconventional vent pipe designs which can amplify the above situations. • Extended operation of unvented fuel-burning devices (range, oven, fireplace, etc.). • Temperature inversions which can trap exhaust gasses near the ground. • Car idling in an open or closed attached garage or near a home. CO Precautions No detection device can protect life in all situations. Therefore, safeguards should be taken to avoid potentially dangerous situations as follows: 1) Regularly inspect all fuel-burning appliances for proper operation and ventilation. 2) Clean all chimneys, flues and vents annually. Keep them free of debris and check for blockage, corrosion, rust, and cracks. 3) Have all heating equipment checked yearly by a qualified technician. 4) Ensure that exhaust and ventilation fans and fireplaces do not interfere with the air supply to your furnace. 5) Leave a window or door open a couple of inches to help ensure enough oxygen is present to facilitate combustion. When CO is Detected The SafeAir goes into alarm if harmful levels of CO are present. The LED light turns red, the sounder emits four rapid beeps every 5 seconds, and the relay triggers a UL Listed control panel to produce an alarm. In the Event of a CO Alarm WARNING ! Actuation of this alarm indicates the presence of CO which can KILL YOU. If alarm signal sounds: 1) Operate the TEST/HUSH button. 2) Call your emergency services fire department or 911]. 3) Immediately move to fresh air-outdoors or by an open door/ window. Do a head count to check that all persons are accounted for. Do not reenter the premises nor move away from the open door/window until emergency services responders have arrived, the premises have been aired out, and your alarm remains in its normal operation. 4) After following steps 1 - 3, if your alarm reactivates within a 24 hour period, repeat steps 1-3 and call a qualified appliance technician to investigate for sources of CO from fuel burning equipment and appliances, and inspect for proper operation of this equipment. If problems are identified during this inspection have the equipment serviced immediately. Note any combustion equipment not inspected by the technician and consult the manufacturers' instructions, or contact the manufacturers directly, for more information about CO safety and this equipment. Make sure that motor vehicles are not, and have not been, operating in an attached garage or adjacent to the residence. Important: To prevent false alarms, be sure there is adequate ventilation when using household cleaning solutions or similar contaminants. Important: The alarm automatically resets to normal operation when the CO dissipates. Important: CO is an invisible, odorless, gas that can cause severe harm. Every alarm should be taken seriously. ESL 240-COe 3