Ei Electronics Ei 220E 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/hush button if the level is below 150ppm
CO).
(3) Evacuate the property leaving the doors and windows
open.
(4)
Telephone your gas or other fuel supplier on their emer
-
gency 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, nausea), 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 about 4
minutes once the CO has cleared. Pressing the test /hush
button resets the CO Alarm immediately if it has sensed
about 150ppm CO (the unit cannot be silenced if the level
is about 350ppm CO). If CO is still present the red alarm
light and horn will turn on again after 4 minutes.
WARNING: The CO Alarm is no substitute for keeping
chimneys and flues clear and in good condition, and all of
your appliancesserviced regularly according tothe manu
-
facturer’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
are the chemical symbols for C
arbon and Oxygen).
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.
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 on
within
Red
Alarm Light
Status
Stand-by
Off
0
150
Flashes every 2 sec
30 min
Alarm
Alarm
6 min
Flashes every ½ sec
350
Off
Table B: CO Alarm Response
Inhalation Time (approx)
and Symptoms Developed
Concentration of
CO in Air
50
Flashes every 5 sec
Off
Pre-Alarm
4
Table B shows how the built in microprocessor reacts to differ
ent levels of CO gas and exposure time. At higher levels of CO
the alarmturns onsooner. The rate of flashing of thered lightin
dicates the level of CO.
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.
Pre-Alarm: When the alarm detects over 50ppm CO the red
light flashesevery 5seconds. Thishelps locateCO leaksas the
unit gives an indication straight away. (Without this feature the
CO level would need to be at 150ppm CO for up to 30 minutes
for an indication to begiven). Note the Pre-Alarm signalmay be
triggered by CO coming for example, from cooking with gas,
from carengines or from nearbybarbecues. Thisis usually not a
concern unless the Pre-Alarm signal persists for over an hour
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:
This tells you if the unit has detected CO in your absence and
helps to detect and locate leaks, monitor premises etc.
When thetest buttonis pressed the horn soundsand theindica
tor lights flash as follows:-
- Red Lightis Off ifno CO is detectedsince reset or power-up.
- Slow Flashing Red Light (every 2 seconds) if 150ppm CO
has been detected since power-up.
- FastFlashing Red Light(every ½ second)if 350ppm CO has
been detected since power-up.
Reset Memory by holding down the testbutton for over 20 sec
onds untilthe red light stopsflashing. Cover thehorn with a cloth
to muffle the alarm.
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 issuing of the BS
7860 : 1996 standard.
The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) UK, give the following
recommendations for rooms where CO alarms should be lo
-
cated - these are in order of priorty:
- In rooms with flueless or open flued appliances
- In rooms where the occupant spends most time
- In bedrooms
British Standard BS7860:1996 gives the following advice:
Ideally you should have a detector in or near every room that
contains a fuel-burning appliance.
However, ifyou havemore than one appliance, butonly onede
-
tector, you shouldtake the following intoconsideration when de
-
ciding where best to put the detector.
(1) If there is an appliance in the room where you sleep, you
should put the detector in that room.
(2) If there is an appliance in a roomthat you use a lot, e.g. a sit
-
ting room, you should put it in that room.
(3) If you live in a bedsit, put the detector as far away from the
cooking appliancesas possible, butnear to theplace where you
sleep.
(4) If the appliance is in a room not normally used (e.g. a boiler
room), put the detector just outside the room so that you will be
able to hear the alarm more easily.
Ideally you should have a detector in or near every room that
contains a fuel-burning appliance.
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 by curtains or furniture.
(8) In an area where the temperature could drop below -5 ° Cor
rise above 40 ° C.
(9) Where dirt or dust could block the sensor and stop it work
-
ing.
(10) Where it could be easily knocked or damaged, or where it
could be accidently turned off or removed.
(11) In sockets where the power is likely to be turned off.
(12) In a bathroom or where the CO alarm may be exposed to
water splashes orcondensation (e.g. above anelectric kettle).
(13) Near paint, thinners, solvent fumes or air fresheners.
(14) Plugged into extension sockets.
3.3 Installation
The HSE (UK), gives more detailed recommendations as follows:
If locating the CO Alarm in a room with an appliance:
- the alarm should be located between 1m and 3m horizontally
from the appliance. (To comply with both BS & HSE advice lo
-
cate between 1.85 and 3.0m from 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 appli
-
ance:
- 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).
7
5
Where to place CO Alarms3.
6
Figure 1
Bedroom
*
Kitchen*
Sitting
Room
*
* If they contain or are near a fuel-burning appliance
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