Aico Ei 204EN, Ei 205EN, Ei 205ENA, 205CEN User Instruction

Model Ei 204EN
Model Ei 205EN
Model Ei 205ENA

Model Ei 205CEN

- STANDARD

- WITH MEMORY

- WITH MEMORY &
SEALED IN BATTERIES

- WITH MEMORY &
INTERCONNECT

Read and retain carefully for as long as the product is being used. It contains vital information
on the operation and installation. The leaflet should be regarded as part of the product.

If you are just installing the unit, the leaflet must be given to the householder. The leaflet is
to be given to any subsequent user.

BATTERY POWERED

CARBON MONOXIDE ALARM

INSTRUCTIONS

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BS EN 50291: 2001

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READ THIS FIRST
WHAT TO DO WHEN THE CO ALARM SOUNDS
CARBON MONOXIDE - THE SILENT KILLER!
WHERE TO PLACE CARBON MONOXIDE ALARMS
INSTALLATION
TESTING & MONITORING YOUR CO ALARM
MAINTAINANCE
LIMITATIONS OF CARBON MONOXIDE ALARMS
HOW TO PROTECT YOUR FAMILY
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
GETTING YOUR CARBON MONOXIDE ALARMS SERVICED
GUARANTEES
TROUBLESHOOTING

Page

CONTENTS

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1. READ THIS FIRST

Power up the unit by smoothly withdrawing the red “pull” tab at the top left hand
corner of the unit. If the batteries are supplied separately install the three AA
batteries by sliding the upper cover off as shown in figure 5a page 15.The green,
red & amber lights will immediately flash in sequence to show they are working

- this is normal.

Install the Carbon Monoxide Alarm (CO Alarm) in every room that contains a
fuel burning appliance, particularly rooms where people spend a lot of time e.g.
bedrooms, kitchens and sitting rooms.

In rooms with an appliance, install (preferably) on the ceiling, (300mm from
walls) and between 1m to 3m horizontally from appliance. In rooms remote from
the appliance install at breath level, where the light indicators can be seen.

Regularly check that the green power light flashes every 45 seconds. If the unit
beeps for at least 1 hour when the green light flashes it has reached it’s end of life
and must be replaced. (If the ‘Replace by date’ on the side of the unit has not been
exceeded replace the batteries if accessible).

Test the unit weekly by pressing the test/hush button-the horn will sound.

Replace unit after 5 years operation (see ‘Replace by’ date on side wall label).

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When the CO Alarm detects abnormal levels of CO (above 50ppm CO) the red
light starts to flash immediately and the horn will sound within 90 minutes. At

higher levels of CO the alarm will turn on sooner (see table B - page 8).

The CO Alarm will automatically reset once the CO has cleared. Pressing the
test/hush button resets the CO Alarm immediately (below 300ppm CO). If CO is
still present the red light and horn will turn on again after about 4 minutes.

The CO Alarm is no substitute for keeping chimneys and flues clear and in good
condition, and all of your appliances serviced regularly according to the
manufacturer’s instructions.

Do not fit alarm until all building work is completed to avoid contamination.

2.WHAT T O DO WHEN THE ALARM SOUNDS

(1) Open the doors and windows to ventilate the area.
(2) Turn off all fuel appliances where possible and stop using them. (The alarm

can be silenced immediately by pushing the test/hush button).

(3) Evacuate the property leaving the doors and windows open.
(4) Get medical help immediately for anyone suffering the effects of Carbon

Monoxide poisoning (headache, nausea), and advise that Carbon Monoxide
poisoning is suspected.

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(5) Ring your gas or other fuel supplier on their emergency number. Keep the
number in a prominent place.

(6) Do not re-enter the property until the alarm has stopped. (If the alarm has been
silenced by pressing the test/hush button, wait at least 5 minutes so the alarm can
check that the CO has cleared).

(7) Do not use the fuel appliances again until they have been checked by an
expert. In the case of gas appliances this must be a CORGI registered installer.

3. CARBON MONOXIDE - THE SILENT KILLER!

3.1 What is Carbon Monoxide ?

Congratulations on becoming the owner of an Ei Carbon Monoxide Alarm. This will
help protect you and your household from the dangerous effects of Carbon Monoxide

- the silent killer. (CO is the chemical symbol, indicating the molecule has one carbon
atom and one oxygen atom).

Many are killed each year, and many more suffer ill health from Carbon Monoxide (CO)
poisoning. CO is an invisible, odourless, tasteless and extremely toxic gas. It is
produced by appliances and vehicles burning fuels, such as coal, oil, natural/bottled
gas, paraffin, wood, petrol, diesel, charcoal etc. CO is absorbed by red blood cells in
the lungs in preference to oxygen - this results in rapid damage to the heart and brain
from oxygen starvation.

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High levels of CO in a house can be caused by:

• Incorrectly or poorly installed fuel-burning appliances.

• Blocked or cracked chimneys/flues.

• Blocked vents or draught-proofing which makes areas with fuel burning appliances

or fireplaces airtight.

• Engines of cars, lawnmowers etc. left running in confined spaces.

• Portable paraffin or gas heaters in badly ventilated rooms.

3.2 Symptoms of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Most people know that high levels of CO are harmful, however the period of exposure
is also important.

The following symptoms are related to Carbon Monoxide poisoning and should be
discussed with all members of the household.

Mild Exposure: Slight headache, nausea, vomiting, fatigue (often described as
“flu-like” symptoms).

Medium Exposure

: Severe throbbing headache, drowsiness, confusion, fast heart rate.

Extreme Exposure

: Unconsciousness, convulsions, cardiorespiratory failure, death.
A high level of CO for a short period (e.g. 350 ppm CO for 30 minutes) will cause the same
symptoms, a slight headache, as a lower level for a longer time (e.g.150 ppm for 90 minutes).
Table A shows how exposure to different concentrations of CO generally affects people.

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Many cases of reported Carbon Monoxide poisoning indicate that while victims are
aware they are not well, they become so disorientated that they are unable to save
themselves by either leaving the building or calling for assistance. Young children and
household pets may be the first affected.

Table A: Effects of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

35 The maximum allowable concentration for continuous exposure in any 8 hour period

according to OSHA *.

150 Slight headache after 1.5 hours.
200 Slight headache, fatigue, dizziness, nausea after 2-3 hours.

400 Frontal headaches within 1-2 hours, life threatening after 3 hours, also maximum parts per

million in flue gas (on an air free basis) according to US Environmental Protection Agency.

800 Dizziness, nausea and convulsions within 45 minutes. Unconsciousness within 2 hours.

Death within 2-3 hours.

1,600 Headache, dizziness and nausea within 20 minutes. Death within 1 hour.
3,200 Headache, dizziness and nausea within 5-10 minutes. Death within 25-30 minutes.
6,400 Headache, dizziness and nausea within 1-2 minutes. Death within 10-15 minutes.
12,800 Death within 1-3 minutes.

ppm

Concentration
of CO in Air

Inhalation Time (approx) and Symptoms Developed

ppm = parts per million

*OSHA Occupational Safety & Health Association

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3.3 What happens when your CO Alarm detects Carbon Monoxide ?

When the Alarm detects potentally dangerous levels of CO, it flashes the red alarm
light immediately and then sounds a loud alarm if the CO persists. Table B below shows
how the CO Alarm reacts to different levels of CO gas and exposure time. At higher
levels of CO the alarm turns on sooner.The rate of flashing of the red light indicates the
level of CO.

Table B: CO Alarm Response

*

unless it has been in alarm (see CO Alarm Memory below)

If your CO Alarm sounds follow the instructions on page 4.

When ventilation is provided by leaving the window and doors open, the CO build up
may have dissipated by the time help arrives and the alarm may have stopped
sounding. Although your problem may appear temporarily solved it is crucial that the
source of the CO is determined and appropriate repairs made.

CO Level

ppm

Horn On

within

Red

Alarm Light

0 ppm

50ppm
100 ppm
300 ppm

Off
60 to 90 minutes
10 to 40 minutes

3 minutes

Off *

1 Flash / 2 Seconds
4 Flashes / 2 Seconds
8 Flashes / 2 Seconds

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NEVER IGNORE THE ALARM.
Pre-Alarm: When the alarm detects over 50ppm CO the red light flashes every 2

seconds. This helps locate CO leaks as the unit gives an indication straight away.
(Without this feature the CO level would need to be at 50ppm CO for 90 minutes for
an indication to be given). Note the Pre-Alarm signal may be triggered by CO coming
for example, from cooking with gas, from car engines or from nearby barbecues. This
is usually not a concern, unless the Pre-Alarm signal persists until the alarm sounds
and the CO source is unknown.

NOTE: The CO Alarm may sound if cigarette smoke is blown into it, or aerosols are
released nearby.

CO ALARM MEMORY (Ei205EN, Ei205ENA & Ei205CEN only)

- Red light is Off – No CO detected since reset or power up.

- Red light flashes 2 times (in 2 seconds) every 40 seconds, 50 ppm CO detected

for at least about 90 minutes.

- Red light flashes 4 times (in 2 seconds) every 40 seconds, 100 ppm CO detected

for at least about 40 minutes.

- Red light flashes 8 times (in 2 seconds) every 40 seconds, 300 ppm CO detected

for at least about 3 minutes.

When the test button is pressed the horn will sound, and the red light will only flash if
the unit has previously detected CO and been in alarm. The flash rate indicates the
level of CO as in Table B.

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Reset Memory by holding down the test button for over 20 seconds until the red light
stops flashing. Cover the horn with a cloth to muffle the alarm during this time.

Please note that the memory will also be reset when the unit is unpowered.

4. WHERE TO PLACE CO ALARMS

4.1 Ideally a Carbon Monoxide Alarm should be installed in:

- Every room containing a fuel burning appliance, and

- Remote rooms where occupants spend a considerable amount of time

- Every bedroom.

However if the number of Carbon Monoxide Alarms is limited, the following points
should be considered when deciding where best to fit the alarm(s)

- If there is an appliance in a room where people sleep, place a CO Alarm in this room
and

- Locate a CO alarm in a room containing a flueless or open-flued appliance, and

- Locate an alarm in a room where the occupant(s) spend most of their time (e.g.
sitting room) and

- In a bedsit, the CO alarm should be placed as far away from the cooking appliance
as possible, but near to where the person sleeps and

- If the appliance is in a room not normally used, such as a boiler room, the CO alarm
should be placed just outside the room so that the alarm will be heard more easily.

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