Ei Electronics Ei204, Ei205 User Instructions

What to do when the Alarm sounds:
(1) Open the doors and windows to ventilate.

(2) Turn off the appliance where possible and stop using

the appliance. (The alarm can be silenced immediately by
pushing the test/hushbutton if level isbelow 150ppm CO).

(3) Evacuate the property leaving the doors and windows
open.

(4) Ringyour gas or otherfuel supplier ontheir emergency
number; keep the number in a prominent place.

(5) 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).

(6) Get medical help immediatelyfor anyone suffering the
effects of carbon monoxide poisoning (headache, nau

­sea), and advise that carbon monoxide poisoning is sus­pected.

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

When the CO Alarm detects abnormal levels of CO
(above 150ppm CO for 30 minutes) the horn sounds and
the red light starts to flash. At higher levels of CO the
alarm will turn on sooner (see table B).
The CO Alarm will automatically reset within a few min

­utes oncethe CO has cleared.Pressing the test /hushbut

­ton resets the CO Alarm immediately if it has sensed
about 150ppm CO. (The unit cannot be silenced if the
level isabout 350ppm CO due to theincreased danger). If
CO is still present the red alarm light and horn will turn on
again after 5 minutes.

Warning: The COAlarm is no substitutefor keeping chim

­neys and flues clear and in good condition, and all ofyour
appliances serviced regularly according to the manufac

­turer's instructions.

2.1 What is Carbon Monoxide ?

Congratulations on becoming the owner of an Ei Carbon Mon

­oxide Alarm. This will help protect youand your household from
the dangerous effects of carbon monoxide - the silent killer (CO
is the chemical symbol).

Many are killed each year, and many more suffer ill health from
carbon monoxide (CO)poisoning. CO isan invisible, odourless,
tasteless and extremelytoxic gas. It is produced by appliances
or 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 inpreference to oxygen - this results
in rapid damageto the heart andbrain from oxygen starvation.

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

l

Incorrectly or poorly installed fuel-burning appliances.

l

Blocked or cracked chimneys/flues.

l

Blocked vents or draught-proofing which makes areas with

fuel burning appliances or fireplaces airtight.

l

Engines of cars, lawnmowers etc. left running in confined

spaces.

l

Portable paraffin or gas heaters in badly ventilated rooms.

2.2 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 allmembers of the house

­hold.

Mild Exposure:

Slight headache,nausea, vomiting, fatigue(of

­ten described as “flu-like” symptoms).

Medium Exposure:

Severe throbbing headache, drowsiness,

confusion, fast heart rate.

Extreme Exposure:

Unconsciousness, convulsions, car

­diorespiratory failure, death.

A high level of CO for a short period (e.g. 350 ppm CO for 30
minutes) willcause the same symptoms,a slight headache, asa
lower levelfor a longer time(e.g. 150 ppm for90 minutes). Table
A shows how exposure to different concentrations of CO gener

­ally affects people.

Many cases of reported carbon monoxide poisoning indicate
that while victims are aware they are not well, they become so
disorientated theyare unable tosave themselves by either leav

­ing the building or calling for assistance. Young children and
household pets may be the first affected.

2.3 What happens when your CO Alarm detects Carbon
Monoxide ?

When the Alarm detects dangerous levels of CO, it sounds a
loud alarm and flashes the red alarm light.

Table Bshows how thebuilt in microcontrollerreacts to different
levels of CO gas and exposure time. At higher levels of CO the
alarm turns on sooner. Therate of flashing of the red light in

-

dicates the level of CO.

35 The maximum allowable concentration for continu

­ous exposure in any 8-hour period according to
OSHA *.

150 Slight headache after 1½ hours.

200 Slight headache, fatigue, dizziness, nausea after2-3

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 Environ

­mental Protection Agency.

800 Dizziness, nausea and convulsions within 45 min

­utes. 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.

* OSHA Occupational Safety &

Health Assocation

s

ppm = parts per million

Table A: Effects of Cumulative CO Exposure

ppm

s

4

2

3

READ THIS FIRST

Carbon Monoxide - The Silent Killer

1.

2.

(Cont.)

?

?

?

?

CO Level

ppm

Horn & red

light on within

Red

Alarm Light

Time to first

Symptom

*

——

off

0

150

Flashes every 2 sec

30 min

90 min

30 min

6 min

Flashes every ½ sec

350

——

Table B: CO Alarm Response

s

Slight Headache

*

Inhalation Time (approx)

and Symptoms Developed

Concentration of

CO in Air

s

ppm = parts per million

(max)

If your CO Alarm sounds, follow the instructions given at
the top of page 2.

When ventilation is provided by leaving the windows and doors
open, the CO build up may have dissipated by the time help ar

­rives and the alarm will have stopped sounding. Although your
problem may appear temporarily solved, it is crucial that the
source of theCO is determined andappropriate repairs made.

NEVER IGNORE THE ALARM

NOTE:

The CO Alarm may sound if cigarette smoke is blown

into it or aerosols are released nearby.

2.4 CO Alarm Memory (

EI 205 only)

When thetest buttonis pressed the horn soundsand theindica

­tor lights flash as follows:-

- Flashing Green Light if no CO is detected since reset or
power-up.

- Slow Flashing Red Light (every 2 seconds) if about 150ppm
CO has been detected since power-up.

- Fast Flashing Red Light (every ½ second) if about 350ppm
CO has been detected since power-up.

This tells you if the unit has detected CO in your absence and
helps to detect and locate leaks, monitor premises etc.

Reset Memory by holding down the testbutton for over 20 sec­onds until the green light flashes (instead of the red). Cover the
horn with a cloth to muffle the loud alarm. Please note: The
memory will be reset when the battery is removed.

3.1 Suitable Locations

Ei Electronics recommends that the advice of the Health &

Safety Exectutive (HSE) UK is followedas this isbased on re

­search done at the BRE subsequent to the issueing of the BS
7860 : 1996 standard.

CO alarmsshould be located inthe following areas -these are in
order of priorty:

- In rooms with flueless or open flued appliances

- In rooms where the occupant spends most time

- In bedrooms

3.2 Unsuitable Locations

Do not place the CO Alarm in any of the following areas.
(1) Within 1.85 metres (6 feet) of the appliance.

(2) Outside the building.

(3) In or below a cupboard.

(4) In a damp or humid area.

(5) Directly above a sink or cooker.

(6) Next to a door or window or anywhere that it would be af­fected by draughts.

(7) Where it would be obstructed, e.g. by curtains or furniture.
(8) In an area where the temperature could drop below -5 ° Cor

rise above 40 ° C.

(9) Where dirtor dust could blockthe sensor and stopit working.

(10) Where it could be easily knocked or damaged, or where it
could be accidentally turned off or removed.
(11) In a bathroom or where the CO alarm may be exposed to
water splashes orcondensation (e.g. above anelectric kettle).

(12) Near paint, thinners, solvent fumes or air fresheners.

3.3 Installation

The HSE, UK gives recommendations as follows:

If locating the CO Alarm in a room with an appliance

- the alarm should be located between 1.85m and 3m horizon

-

tally from the appliance.

- the alarm should be located preferably on the ceiling. Ceiling
mounted detectors should be at least 300mm from any wall.

- if placed on a wall the CO Alarm should be as high as possible
(higher than doors and windows) but not within 150mm of the
ceiling.

If locating the CO Alarm in a room remote from the appliance

- the alarm should be located at a level similar to the breathing
zone of the occupant (typically in the living rooms at 1.5 to 2.0m
above floor level and in bedrooms at the height of the bed).

Once you have selected a suitable location, open the battery
compartment by sliding up the cover as shown in figure 2.

Install the batteries ensuring they are orientated correctly as
shown in the battery box. The green, red & amber lights will im­mediately flash in sequence to show they are working - this is

normal.

Mark the position of the two mounting holes by using the unit as
a template. Drill two holes using a 6mm drill for the plastic plugs
supplied, (ensure you don’t drill into the house wiring). Screw
the unit to the wall.

Check thatthe CO Alarm canbe heard inall the bedrooms. Ifnot
another CO Alarm should be located nearer the bedrooms.

Where to place CO Alarms3.

6

5

7

Figure 1

Bedroom

*

Kitchen*

Sitting

Room

*

* If they contain or are near a fuel-burning appliance