BRK electronic FCD4 User Manual

Model FCD4

M08-0018-001 P 03/03

IMPORTANT!

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY AND SAVE.

This user’s manual contains important information about your Carbon
Monoxide (CO) Alarm’s operation. If you are installing this CO alarm for use
by others, you must leave this manual—or a copy of it—with the end user.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1

Basic Safety Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1

How Your CO Alarm Works . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1

Understanding Your CO Alarm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

Using the Remote Control Test/Silence Feature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

Using the Peak CO Memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-3

Where to Install CO Alarms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-3

Where CO Alarms Should NOT Be Installed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

How to Install Your CO Alarm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

If Your CO Alarm Sounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-4

If the Alarm Signal Sounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

Using the Silence Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

Testing and Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

Weekly Testing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

Manually . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

Remote Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

Regular Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

Replacing the Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

What You Need To Know About CO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

What is CO? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

Symptoms of CO Poisoning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

Finding the Source of CO After an Alarm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

Potential Sources of CO in the Home . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

How Can I Protect My Family? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

Underwriters Laboratories Inc. UL2034 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-6

Frequently Asked Questions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

General Limitations Of CO Alarms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

Limited Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

All Rights Reserved. © 2003 BRK Brands, Inc.
BRK Brands, Inc., 3901 Liberty Street Road, Aurora, IL 60504-8122
Consumer Affairs: [phone] • www.firstalert.com

INTRODUCTION

BASIC SAFETY INFORMATION

• Dangers, Warnings, and Cautions alert you to important operating
instructions or to potentially hazardous situations. Pay special
attention to these items.

• 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.

• This CO Alarm is approved for use in single-family residences.
It is NOT designed for marine or RV use.

• This CO Alarm will only indicate the presence of carbon monoxide gas
at the sensor. Carbon monoxide gas may be present in other areas.

• The Silence Feature is for your convenience only and will not correct
a CO problem. Always check your home for a potential problem after
any alarm. Failure to do so can result in injury or death.

• This CO Alarm should receive continuous 120VAC, 60 Hz, pure sine
wave electrical power. (The battery is meant for emergency back-up
only). Do not use in an extension cord or outlet controlled by a dim­mer or switch. In order for the emergency battery back-up to work, a
working (fresh) battery must be properly installed.

• NEVER ignore your Carbon Monoxide Alarm if it alarms. Refer to
“If Your CO Alarm Sounds” for more information. Failure to do so can
result in injury or death.

• Test the CO Alarm once a week. If the CO Alarm ever fails to test
correctly, have it replaced immediately! If the CO Alarm is not working
properly, it cannot alert you to a problem.

• This product is intended for use in ordinary indoor locations of family
living units. It is not designed to measure CO levels in compliance
with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) commer­cial or industrial standards. Individuals with medical conditions that
may make them more sensitive to carbon monoxide may consider
using warning devices which provide audible and visual signals for
carbon monoxide concentrations under 30 ppm. For additional infor­mation on carbon monoxide and your medical condition contact your
physician.

1

1

2

4

3

5

6

1 Test/Silence/Scroll Button: Press

and release to select mode (Test,
Memory, Clear Memory); Press
and hold to activate mode, or to
silence the alarm.

2 POWER/ALARM Light (Red)

3 Digital Display

4 Air Vents

5 Alarm Horn: 85db audible alarm

for test, alarm, and unit malfunc­tion warning.

6 Remote Control Target: Aim an

IR remote control at the front of
the Alarm to Test or Silence.
(Works with most IR remote
controls.)

120V AC ~ 60 Hz 0.09A

USER’S MANUAL

120V PLUG-IN CARBON MONOXIDE ALARM WITH BATTERY

BACK-UP AND REMOTE CONTROL TEST/SILENCE

HOW YOUR CO ALARM WORKS

GENERAL INFORMATION

Leave your CO Alarm plugged in year-round. CO problems can occur any
time during the year, and this Alarm can only alert you if it is plugged in
and receiving power.

This CO Alarm is intended for use in a standard, unswitched 120V AC wall
outlet. It is not intended for use in extension cords, power strips, or outlets
controlled by a switch or dimmer. These may not provide continuous power to
the unit. When fully powered, the unit samples the air and takes a new reading
about every second. A microchip inside the unit stores each reading, and
remembers the levels of CO it has been exposed to over time. The Alarm
sounds when it has been exposed to a “critical” level of CO (measured in
parts per million or “ppm”) within a specified time (measured in minutes). This
CO Alarm features a permanently installed sensor, an indicator light, and an
85 dB alarm horn. It also has a Silence Feature to temporarily quiet the alarm
horn.

MALFUNCTION WARNING

This unit performs self-diagnostic tests approximately every second. If the
Alarm malfunctions, replace it immediately.

THE COVER OF YOUR CO ALARM

Reliable Protection, Maximum
Convenience!

• Just install the battery, plug
the alarm into a regular outlet,
test, and it’s ready to go!

• Battery back-up keeps alarm
working if electricity fails.

• Test or silence the alarm with
a single push of most house­hold remote controls.

• Memory stores highest levels
of CO detected. Easy to dis­play, easy to clear!

THIS USER’S MANUAL HAS BEEN RESIZED TO

PRINT OUT ON 8-1/2 x 11” PAGES.

BLACK page numbers reference the original printed document.

RED page numbers reference this web version.

INSTALLATION

WHERE TO INSTALL CO ALARMS

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends that a CO Alarm
should be centrally located outside of each separate sleeping area in the
immediate vicinity of the bedrooms. 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 (12 meters), install a CO Alarm
at BOTH ends of the hallway.

Continued...

2

UNDERSTANDING YOUR CO ALARM

BASIC POWER CONDITIONS

Alarm operating
on AC power

Alarm operating
on emergency
battery back-up

Low / missing
battery warning

“Err” Alarm is
not operating
properly

What you see and hear during installation

WHEN YOU FIRST INSTALL THE
BATTERY:

HORN:

Chirps briefly

DISPLAY: Flashes “888” briefly;
switches to “bat” after a minute

POWER/ALARM Light: Flashes
once a minute

WHEN YOU FIRST PLUG-IN
THE CO ALARM:

HORN:

Silent

DISPLAY: Dash appears by
“READY”

POWER/ALARM LIGHT:

Shines continuously

UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS
(AC POWER):

HORN:

Silent

DISPLAY: Dash remains lit at
“READY”

POWER/ALARM LIGHT: Shines
continuously

WHEN YOU TEST THE CO ALARM:

HORN:

Sounds loudly - 4 beeps,

pause, 4 beeps, pause

DISPLAY: Flashes “888” briefly

POWER/ALARM LIGHT:

Flashes rapidly

What you see and hear under different conditions:

DURING A POWER FAILURE
(IN BATTERY BACK-UP):

HORN:

Silent

DISPLAY: Displays the word
“bat” continuously

POWER/ALARM LIGHT: Flashes
once a minute.

WHEN THE ELECTRICITY COMES
BACK ON:

HORN:

Silent

DISPLAY: Dash appears by
“READY”

POWER/ALARM LIGHT: Shines
continuously.

IF BATTERY BECOMES LOW
OR IS MISSING:

HORN:

Chirps once a minute*

DISPLAY: The word “bat” flashes
on and off

POWER/ALARM LIGHT: Flashes
once a minute

IF THE CO ALARM IS NOT
OPERATING PROPERLY:

HORN:

Three rapid chirps

every minute

DISPLAY: Displays “Err”

POWER/ALARM LIGHT: Flashes

three times in sync with the horn.

What you see and hear if CO is detected:

PRE-ALARM LEVELS:

HORN:

Silent

DISPLAY: Shows CO levels
detected in ppm

POWER/ALARM LIGHT:

On continuously

ALARM LEVELS OF CO ARE
DETECTED:

HORN:

Sounds loudly - 4 beeps,
pause, 4 beeps, pause.
This sequence repeats for as
long as the unit is in alarm*

DISPLAY: Shows CO levels
detected in ppm

POWER/ALARM LIGHT:

Flashes rapidly

*Note: If unit goes into alarm
under battery back-up power,
the regular 4 beeps-brief pause
cycle will repeat for four minutes.
After four minutes, the pause will
increase to 1 minute.

IF YOU SILENCE THE ALARM:

HORN:

Silent for about

4 minutes*

DISPLAY: Shows CO levels
detected in ppm

POWER/ALARM LIGHT:

Flashes rapidly

*Note: After 4 minutes, if CO lev­els drop below alarm levels, the
unit will remain silent and return
to normal operation. If CO pres­ence still indicates a potentially
dangerous situation, the horn will
sound again.

IF THE CO LEVELS RETURN
TO NORMAL:

HORN:

Silent

DISPLAY: Dash lit by “READY”

POWER/ALARM LIGHT:

Shines continuously

USING THE REMOTE CONTROL TEST/SILENCE FEATURE

Using the VOLUME or CHANNEL buttons on most remote controls, you can
test or silence this CO Alarm from up to 12 feet (3.6 meters) away.

To Test or Silence the Alarm:

1. Make sure you have a clear path between you
and the Alarm, free of any obstructions.

2. Point the remote at the front of the Alarm.

3. Press the VOLUME or CHANNEL button for at
least 2 seconds.

If the Alarm does not respond to your
remote control:

• You may be standing too far away.

• Your remote may not be compatible.

• The feature may be accidentally disabled*.

• You did not hold the button on your remote for at least 2 seconds.

• The remote Silence Feature only works once in an alarm situation. Using

the Test/Silence button on the CO Alarm will still silence the unit. The
remote Silence Feature will return when the unit clears itself.

*NOTE: The remote control option will be disabled if you hold down the
Test/Silence/Scroll button while installing the battery. If you accidentally disable
the remote option, remove the battery and re-install it, making sure you are not
touching the Test/Silence/Scroll button.

USING THE PEAK CO MEMORY

The CO Memory Feature lets you check the highest level of CO recorded
during an alarm.

To check CO Memory:

1. Press and release the Test/Silence/Scroll button until the dash scrolls
to “MEMORY”.

2. Press and hold Test/Silence/Scroll button to display Memory CO level.

To clear CO Memory:

1. Press and release the Test/Silence/Scroll button until the dash scrolls to
“CLEAR MEMORY.”

2. Press and hold the Test/Silence/Scroll button until the display shows “CLr.”

NOTE: The highest CO level will be saved, even after a power interruption,
until you clear it. DO NOT clear the CO Memory reading if you plan to call
someone to investigate a CO problem! Clear the CO Memory reading only
after the investigator has checked your home.

BEDROOM

GARAGE

HALL

BASEMENT

BEDROOM

KITCHEN

BEDROOM

LIVING ROOM

REQUIRED TO MEET NFPA RECOMMENDATIONS

SUGGESTED AREAS FOR INSTALLING ADDITIONAL CO ALARMS